The Bell in Ticehurst

Quirkiness, comfort and history prevail in this delightful East Sussex pub. Not only can you drop in for a drink or something delicious to eat, you can also stay over in one of their eccentrically decorated rooms or lodges, and appreciate one of the most unusual – and welcoming –  places to stay in the entire region. It's comfy, contemporary and unique, run by people who've put their stamp on a historic country inn that dates back to the late 16th century, but is as full of life as it ever was.

Above all, The Bell in Ticehurst is a great village pub – cosy and comfortable, with plenty of beams and battered sofas, bare boards and faded rugs, open fires and candlelight, and an invitingly long, well-stocked bar. It's mischievous and quirky too, with bowler hat light fittings, coat hooks fashioned from cutlery, a tower of books forming a twisted column by the bar, and even a Banksy hanging in the hall. Have a look too at the tubas in place of urinals in the gents’ loos (sadly the ladies’ are nowhere near as much fun). The food is whatever you want it to be really, with both a proper pubby menu featuring pie and mash, decent burgers and all sorts of yummy bar snacks, and a more refined five-course tasting menu served once a week. They also offer an enticing garden barbecue during summer, with all manner of delights from land and sea cooked up on the grill. Most dishes are based on local produce, and the wine list features a great choice of English varieties from Kent and Sussex vineyards.

Above the pub, the seven stylish guest rooms are equally eccentric, with rustic king or super-king beds with comfy handmade mattresses, antique mirrors and unusual bedside lamps. One is a suite on two levels and has a sofa bed for extra guests; a couple of the others have deep copper baths, while they all have en-suite bathrooms with bespoke toiletries, homemade cookies, Freeview TVs, good WiFi, tea- and coffee-making facilities – and dogs are welcome. In addition to the rooms, the pub also boasts four garden lodge suites, which have mezzanine floors, huge baths and their own terraces, wood burners and fire pits. Their circular Love Nest is an ideal spot for a romantic weekend, while 'Pretty Vacant' will appeal to the rebel in everyone!

The rooms and lodges are so homely and there's so much going on at The Bell that it can be hard to leave. As well as regular live music, they offer painting, calligraphy and crafting courses throughout the year – yet another reason to book a room here. But the surrounding countryside is beautiful too – easy to explore on bike or by way of numerous local footpaths – and there are lots of local attractions and things to do, including the woodland paths and activities at nearby Bedgebury, watersports at Bewl Water and Rudyard Kipling's home at Bateman's, now part of the National Trust.