The Place
Overlooking the green in a village whose main claim to fame is that it was Admiral Nelson’s birthplace, this handsome yellow-and-white 17thC inn has won a clutch of awards for its bedrooms, bar and restaurant and is now a four star hotel. Downstairs, it positively buzzes with life in the evenings, when locals come here to drink and eat – in that order. The brasserie-style menu includes British, European and Oriental-inspired dishes.
The man responsible for this lively reputation, Paul Whittome, bought The Hoste in 1989. Despite being deaf, Paul was a chatty, affable proprietor, who made The Hoste into a local institution – and helped spread its fame as far afield as the Home Counties.
Bee and Brendan Hopkins took over in April 2012, under whose ownership a new chapter is being developed at The Hoste. Changes include the launch of a stylish new garden room, accommodating up to 110 people, and a lodge for between 16 and 30 people. The Hoste kitchens have doubled in size to accommodate these changes and they also now have a rather large spa. Further rooms are on offer across the road in the peaceful Vine House and in The Railway House on the edge of the village.