The cheerful hands-on couple who took over this country inn in 2002 have transformed it into a civilised place with considerable all-round appeal. Throughout, the renovation has made it attractively light and roomy, with plenty of space. The bare-boards entrance bar, with high beams and a sunny bow window has well kept Greene King IPA, Wye Valley and two changing guest beers such as Marstons Pedigree and Spinning Dog Flannerys Liquid Gold on handpump, big stripped kitchen tables and cushioned chairs, a traditional winged settle, and a woodburning stove in a fireplace that opens through to the comfortable no smoking lounge area. This has some carpet on its slate flagstones, dark red settees and prints of the Battle of the Saints, where Lord Rodney obliterated the French fleet in the Caribbean.

Blackboards list the good food, from lunchtime sandwiches (£3.50) and omelettes (from £5.50), to roasted peppers stufffed with mushroom couscous and topped with goats cheese (£6.25), home-made pie or curry of the day (£6.95) and rump steak (£7.75), with a choice of evening dishes such as fried tiger prawns with warm citrus dressing (£4.95), red pepper, spinach and muchroom cassis jus (£13.95), and duck breast marrinated in oyster sauce and spices with chinese cabbage (£14.95), with good fresh fish specials such as grilled black bream, red mullet and john dory with basil dressing (£12.95), and spiced monkfish meddalions with spinach, pine nuts and basalmic vinegar (£13.50); home-made puddings could include white chocolate cheesecake with blueberry sauce or roasted apple and rhubarb crumble (£3.95).

They have a good choice of wines, and justly pride themselves on their bloody marys. A rebuilt barn stepping down through three levels forms a charming end restaurant, and a separate skittle alley has pool; also darts, Jenga, cribbage, dominoes, and perhaps piped music; service is very friendly and capable. Out on a terrace and neat green, solid tables and chairs look over the Lower Teme Valley (two of the three bedrooms share the views), and this is good walking territory. (Recommended by Austin and Jean Dance, Roy and Lindsey Fentiman, Lynda and Trevor Smith, Guy Vowles, Nick and Lynne Carter)