A countryside pub with an inventive menu and charm in spades could be the weekend escape you’ve been craving.

There was a moment when I knew that my short stay at The Bradley Hare was going to be too brief. I was cosied up in one of the squishy chairs of the ‘snug’ area of the pub, with sunshine streaming through the windows that look out onto the rambling gardens and a book selected from the mini library as I chatted to other guests heading to a nearby literary festival. Oh, I thought – this is what true comfort feels like. Familiar yet secluded, visited by dedicated locals and mini-breakers looking for a peaceful few nights away, The Bradley Hare in Wiltshire offers a little something for everyone on the hunt for modest luxury.

In the charming village of Maiden Bradley, this 19th-century inn sits within the estate of the Duke of Somerset, John Seymour. It’s been revamped by former Soho House designer James Thurstan Waterworth, and the flashes of rich red and golden yellow used in the interiors are a nod to the colours worn by the most famous Seymour of them all: Jane, short-lived third wife of Henry VIII. Green is another colour to associate with this pub/hotel set deep in the Wiltshire countryside. All around are open fields, perfect for lengthy rambles with the promise of a cold (or hot) brew on your return

If you’d prefer a quick kip, there are 12 rooms to choose from. My room, in the main pub, looks over the courtyard and comes with a super king-size bed, a well-stocked minibar – including bars of locally made Choc Et Al – and an ensuite with monsoon shower and Evolve Organic toiletries. For couples seeking romance, ‘The Nest’ has a canopy bed shrouded in curtains, leaning into those Tudor connections – but without those less-than-hospitable beheadings. Or if the love of your life is a fluffy pooch, you can pick one of the five light and airy rooms in the Coach House.

After hearing lots about the creativity of The Bradley Hare’s menu, I head to dinner excited about what’s to come. Chef Pascale Vickery doesn’t disappoint. Using resources from local suppliers – including coppa from Dorset and sourdough from Landrace bakery in Bath – her take on pub grub is elevated, yet hearty. Octopus with potato, celery and lovage is a fresh delight of textures. Skate wing with Tenderstem, brown shrimp and beurre blanc is beautifully cooked and comforting. I’m known for not being much of a pud-sharer, so I begrudgingly let others taste my pear and almond frangipane tart with whipped crème fraîche. I promise I’m a delightful dinner companion, but I’ll admit there was almost a spoon duel over the last mouthful. Add beer and burger nights and inventive cocktails and you can understand why the locals keep coming back for more.

Time spent at The Bradley Hare can vary according to your energy levels. I enjoy a deliciously educational few hours doing gnocchi and cocktail making, where I might have got a bit competitive with the foam on my damson sour. For something less cerebral, The Potting Shed is a stone’s throw away, where you can indulge in self-care with bespoke massages and full-body treatments. Or if you fancy travelling further afield, historic Bruton, Frome and Bath are all nearby. Got the kids with you? Just outside the building is a MillyMoo’s milk station, which dispenses fresh local milk and the chance to make milkshakes with seasonal syrups (pink candyfloss and toffee apple on my visit). Adults – and fromage enthusiasts – don’t miss out either as there’s a vending machine packed with brownies, butter and blocks of Wyke Farms cheese. It doesn’t get much cheddar than that.