Kooky and cool, The Bell, resides on the Kent / Sussex border, with the ability to boast that it’s in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It caters to every personality and preference with gastropub-style food and a fine dining restaurant (exclusively available on Wednesday evenings) as well as seven rooms and four garden lodges.

The pub dates back 1560 and Rudyard Kipling was a regular, but despite the previous celebrity clientele, it’s very much a ‘village pub’ without any pretence. Quirky is the only way to describe the interior design, there are top hats as lampshades, taxidermy with a hamster playing the drums, a stack of books seemingly holding up the exposed beams, a giant ballerina hanging from the rafters and so on, you get the idea.

The menus change seasonally and all ingredients are sourced locally (whatever else?) You can choose between eating in the main restaurant – with food that puts the gastro-into this pub. Or you can chose to take things up a notch at The Stables by Head Chef, Mark Charker, a fine dining experience of a five-course tasting menu with the option to pair with wine.

Each of the seven rooms and four lodges has a story to tell, with unique touches, but with all the modern comforts you require for a good night’s sleep. When the sun is out you can take advantage of the large beer garden to the rear and communal fire pit.

That’s not all, the pub also serves as a wedding venue and the opulent big room hosts themed nights including comedy and live music, cementing its cool credentials.