Classic country pub | The Race Horse Inn | Cornwall

Classic pub dining on the edge of Bodmin Moor

You may have to navigate a few winding country lanes to reach it, but The Race Horse Inn near Launceston is certainly worth the short detour from the A30. Tucked away on the eastern-edge of Bodmin Moor, the gastro-pub come B&B makes a great pit-stop for weary travellers and hungry road trippers passing through this wild chunk of the Cornish countryside.

Ray and Flori took over the inn in 2015 and have given what was once a run-down local an elegant makeover, while retaining its traditional charm. The kitchen game has been kicked up a couple notches too, with the introduction of head chef Phil Bradshaw – who earned his stripes at Hotel Endsleigh near Tavistock – and a solid team of cooks in the kitchen.

Stop by at lunch time for proper pub classics such as the beer battered fish and triple cooked chips or the olde Cornish sausages, buttered mash and red wine jus, but what you really want to visit for are the monthly tasting events where the chef’s talents really shine (we were treated to soused mackerel, crispy pork belly and red wine poached pears at a recent eight course extravaganza). Whenever you call in, diners can look forward to seasonal flavours and impeccably fresh produce sourced from the bountiful surrounds.

There’s a small but solid wine list to match the foodie offering, and a good selection of real ales and local ciders to explore at the bar. If you get carried away sampling Ray’s extra special red wine selection, or simply want to break up a trek across the county, there are three cosy rooms available above the inn at reasonable prices.