Winter warmers: Country pubs with lovely walks

• The Brampton Halt, Chapel Brampton, Northamptonshire: What better reward for a winter walk along the Brampton Way historic railway line than to end up in this lovely village pub? With gorgeous views over the lake and countryside, this former station master’s house is always busy, especially near Christmas when the Santa Express comes to town.
• The Red Lion, East Haddon, Northamptonshire: Another cosy pub to hibernate in and read the Sunday papers, and this one boasts a fabulous menu of locally sourced food: it’s no surprise that the pub has a culinary school attached to it.
• The Old Thatched Inn, Adstock, near Buckingham: A few miles south of Buckingham, The Old Thatched Inn is what you’d expect from a traditional English pub - heavily beamed with an open fire roaring in the vast inglenook fireplace. Pub perfection.
• The Cross Keys, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire: Nestled in the heart of the Chilterns which makes great walks a given, try this pub’s fabulous Sunday roasts or fish and chips by the fire.
• Hare & Hounds, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire: With a back garden that melts away into the woods, glorious walks can be taken literally from the doorstep. A jaunty menu promises “the freshest local ingredients we can get our mitts on” and includes Woburn Estate venison steak, reared a stone’s throw away in Woburn.
• The George Inn, Bedford, Maulden: The ultimate dog friendly pub, The George lays on dog biscuits, water bowls and a hose for washing off muddy paws.  Slap bang in the middle of The Greensand Ridge Walk, the pub is surrounded by Maulden Wood with fabulous walks galore to keep furry friends happy.
• The Bull, Cottered, Hertfordshire: Recommended in the Good Pub Guide, this pub has plenty of comfy armchairs and sofas to sink into if you’re weary after a walk. Run by the same family for twenty years, The Bull has weekly changing dishes as well as the traditional pub food staples.
• The Fox at Willian, near Hitchin, Hertfordshire: Ideally situated on the village green, The Fox excels at all the things a country pub should do well, serving great food as well as being an inviting place to pop in for a pint.

They’re some of our favourites and we’d love to know your favourite haunts.