The Boxing Hare is a gourmet pub on a quest to deliver the very best of luxury pub food. Based five miles from Chipping Norton in scenic Cotswolds countryside, its foodie credentials cannot be contested: Head Chef Nick Anderson is a former 3 AA rosette and twice Michelin star winner. The menu is pleasingly eclectic and, though pub classics like fish and chips are in evidence, they look a little different. The hake arrives daily from Cornwall, and what might otherwise read ‘chips and peas’ goes something like ‘crushed ratte potatoes, miso salsify, sprouting broccoli and chive beurre blanc’ instead. The beef comes from Paddock Farm, just six miles down the road, and your options on the steak front range from the flagship côte de boeuf at £88 down to bavette steak at £23 or a steak burger at £17.50. Just feast your eyes on the photos – no corners cut on quality here.

It combines its gorgeous grub with stylishly rustic interiors and great service. Inside, it feels buzzy, confident, and well-heeled; these guys know what they’re doing, and it shows. The decor is elegant (arched windows, wooden beams, fireplaces), and there’s also a large garden and heated terrace. And located in a National Trust-certified ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, there’s no shortage of stunning views.

The sunday roasts are famous, and so is the clientele – let’s just say the Beckhams have been known to pop in. But despite these lofty heights, the vibe at the Boxing Hare remains firmly down to earth. We love it for the food, we love it for the fashionable furnishings, and more than anything, we love it for the friends we made along the way. Naw.