The Pack Horse Inn, Ellingham

First, Ellingham.

Not Eglingham.

The Pack Horse is tucked away in the countryside near Brownieside, only a few minutes from the A1 but with that lovely feeling that you've somehow driven much further into the middle of nowhere.

And we love it.

Sunday lunch is everything we want it to be: locally sourced ingredients, lean, tasty meat, proper vegetables and a plate that feels as though somebody in the kitchen actually cares about Sunday lunch.

If you book ahead — or arrive early enough — dogs are welcome in the bar and snug, which makes it particularly useful after a morning walk.

Our favourite time to come, though, might actually be winter.

Pick a grim Northumberland Sunday, preferably with rain rattling against the windows, get yourself a table near the fire in the bar and order lunch.

You'll probably still be there at three o'clock.

Heather & Sand pick: The bar on a cold winter Sunday. Fire lit, Meg under the table and absolutely nowhere else you need to be.

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