The Plume of Feathers

Overview

The striking Plume of Feathers is a textbook example of the wonders that can be worked when bringing back to life a run-down village boozer, thanks to the passion and vision of Pete & Jacqui Fair, who continue to invest in the building, recently adding more stylish bedrooms.

While the interior has been opened up, it has been done without stripping away its 16th-century character. There's still a cheerful, rambling feel, and lots of deft touches: the low ceiling of heavy planks and timbers has been retained, a feature has been made of the enormous stone fireplace, and candles and fresh flowers top old pine tables . Thick stone walls and tiny windows may restrict natural light, but light colours, soft lighting and bright modern prints create a comfortable look.

Imaginative modern British cooking and 20 extremely comfortable bedrooms in beautifully converted barns draw local diners and weary travellers to this thriving and ever-improving inn. It's just a stone's throw from the A30 in the heart of Cornwall, perfect for exploring the surf beaches of the north coast, the verdant gardens along the south coast, and the bustling city of Truro.

Rooms from

20 doubles: £90

Good to know

Credit cards accepted (except Amex)

Disabled access

Alfresco dining

Parking & electric car charging

Dog-friendly

Dogs are charged £15 per room, per night, and staff will happily provide a dog bed and bowl to use during your stay

Family favourite

Children are very welcome - under 3s sharing their parents room stay free and extra beds are available for an additional fee of £20.

A touch of culture

One of Britain's leading abstract and modern art complexes, Tate St Ives celebrates the St Ives School and worldwide contemporary art, with a huge range of exhibitions and events. Just 40 minutes away.

Rooms

Twenty stylish bedrooms are found in what were once stables and barns at the back - names such as Boot Room, Hay Loft, Hen House and Tack Room hint at former use.

A winding path through lush gardens (note the palm trees) leads to the beautifully refurbished stone barns, where you will be wowed by the luxury, contemporary feel to the rooms. They range from standard, deluxe and luxury doubles to spacious suites.

Expect soothing Farrow & Ball hues, modern country-style furnishings and a hosts of cossetting extras. There are super-comfortable Emperor or king-size beds topped with the best linen and down, Smart TVs, Robert's Radios, a Bluetooth speaker for your own music, local magazines and coffee table books relating to Cornwall, modern artwork, leather armchiars, and a welcome tea-tray with fresh coffee, decent teas, Orla Kiely mugs and fresh milk.

Book one of the suites for oddles of space, Chesterfield sofas and vast bathrooms with double sinks, deep tubs, walk-in showers and posh Bramley toiletries.

Restaurant & bar

At heart the Plume remains the village local, reserving a space at the bar for drinkers, but the food is a major draw with head chef Andrew Dudley working his magic in the kitchen.

Andrew makes sound use of fresh ingredients from artisan Cornish suppliers yet the menu looks beyond the back yard for inspiration, giving the food a modern, cosmopolitan flavour and reflecting sunnier climes.

The kitchen moves deftly through a seasonally changing repertoire of British pub classics like beer battered cod and chips and homemade shortcrust pastry pies, and contemporary dishes such as seared scallops with Cornish crab, celeriac remoulade and truffle oil, and pork belly with champ mash and a cider and sage jus.

Dedicated snackers with find homemade scotch egg on the nibbles list, or choose a braised brisket, caramelised onion and horseradish sandwich (with posh parmesan and tuffle fries) for lunch. Wash down wth ales from St Austell and Sharps, a seasonal cocktail, local Tarquin gin, and decent wines from Berkmann (17 by the glass).

Things to do

If you enjoy history, head over to Charlestown (five minute drive from St Austell) and visit the Shipwreck and Heritage Centre. The port was also one of the filming locations for the most recent BBC adaptation of Poldark.

The world-renowned Eden Project near St Austell is about connecting plants, people and the environment; it's a living demonstration of regeneration, housed under a series of spectacular geodesic domes.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan at Pentewan span eighty acres, with a complex of walled gardens, including a Georgian walled flower garden and a huge vegetable garden. The stunning Northern Summer House has views to St Austell and St Michael's Mount. Don't miss Flora's Green, originally used by ladies for dancing, with the biggest rhododendron in the world.