The Stag, Rackenford

Country pub with attached restaurant. Good beer, good service. Excellent food in trencherman portions. 7 miles from Bishops Nympton. http://www.thestaginn.com

The Old Coaching Inn, South Molton.

Smack in the middle of town. Comfortable, but service in the restaurant a bit slow when busy. One may eat in the bar. Huge selection, so stay with the specials. Good mains, such as lamb shank. Leave room for the fabulous home-made puds, eg raspberry pavlova, chocolate fudge cake, all well worth the money. Cream by the lashing. 3 miles from Bishops Nympton.

The Grove, Kings Nympton

Claims to be the best pub in Devon. Probably right. If you only eat out once in your life, do it here. All home-made, using local meat. Fabulous Beef Wellington with dauphinoise spuds, Beef & Guinness pie and much more. Cracking ale, too. 8.6 miles. I would walk there backwards, with a nail through my shoe. Book to avoid devastation. 01769 580406. No food Sunday and Monday evening, Tuesday night is Fish & Chip night. http://www.thegroveinn.co.uk/

The Masons Arms, Knowstone

A Michelin star sets this 13th century pub and restaurant apart from the others. Chef and owner Mark Dodson moved here after working for 18 years for the legendary Michel Roux, at the Waterside Inn. For 13 of those years, he was Roux's head chef, so expect food of the highest quality. Also, expect trouble getting a table at busy times, and a higher tab to pay at the end. Having said that, a look at the a la carte menu shows you can eat three courses from £30 a head, so why not? Telephone 01398 341231. http://www.masonsarmsdevon.co.uk

Shapland & Searle, butchers, South Molton

Excellent local meats, a chalk board identifies this week's suppliers. Great sausages.

John May, butchers, South Molton

Also Excellent local meats, possibly greater range than Shapland. Good barbeque food in summer

The Bell, Chittlehampton.

01769 540368. Open for food 12.00 to 2.00, 6.00 to 9.00. Good honest pub grub, eg chicken curry, ham egg and chips £5.50. Lovely gardens, with some play equipment and 3 alpacas. Nice Exmoor beer, plus others. 6 miles. http://www.thebellatchittlehampton.co.uk

The Corn Dolly, East Street, South Molton

Highly recommended for its massive and delicious cream tea. A doggy bag comes in handy.

The Mill, Bish Mill

We’ve had a Sunday roast there twice, both times very nice. Don’t know about the rest of the week – let us know.

The Stagshead, Filleigh

Another good eatery, especially for that special occasion. In summer, sit outside by the lake, and feed the fish. Booking is advised. Take our loyalty card, we'll get a small discount next time we eat. If you intend to go back, get one of your own. Tel 01598 760250. http://www.stagshead.co.uk

A fuller list is kept in a folder in the cottage. The usual disclaimers apply; this is an entirely subjective, and probably heavily biased, guide, compiled from personal experience and comments by past guests. No money, discount, or freebies are received from the places mentioned (unfortunately!)