For classic olde worlde charm 'The White Bear' 16th century inn ticks all the boxes. This fascinating pub restaurant is situated in Fairchildes Lane, Warlingham, just a 15-20 minute drive from Caterham. The Inn was originally a row of terraced cottages which have been converted into one, large building with a number of inter-connecting rooms with flagstone floors, oak beams and inglenook fireplaces.

When I visited recently, with my grown-up daughter, Jenny, our table was situated inside an old inglenook fireplace, which felt just as unusual as it sounds. It was interesting to view the room from the perspective of what would have been, for centuries, the main focal point and heartbeat of the room.

We visited on a Thursday evening, and although the restaurant was busy, because of all the separate dining areas, it had an intimate feel to it. There was no background music, just the sound of people having a good time.

Our meal was excellent. For my starter, I chose 'Topped Flat Mushrooms' fiilled with bacon, onion and tomatoes and topped with melted stilton, which tasted as good as it sounds. Jenny had the Homemade Soup of the Day, which she described as 'lovely' - praise indeed from someone who doesn't normally eat soup at home! When I had a taste I was pleasantly surprised by its spicy kick.

For our main courses, Jenny chose the 'Lamb Shank' - slow roasted in a rich vegetable and red wine gravy, and I had one of the 'Specials' from the blackboard, 'Medallions of Pork' in a creamy sage sauce; both meals came with mashed potato and vegetables.

The meals were perfectly cooked, nice and hot and filled the plate - I had three thick slices of pork and the sage gravy had a wonderful flavour. Jenny was equally impressed with her Lamb Shank. Many of the main courses cost less than £10. The Inn opens at 9am serving breakfast and there is an extensive selection of lunchtime light meals from £5 upwards.

'The White Bear' offers the best of both worlds, with its cosy fires in the winter, and large garden to enjoy in the summer. For more information and to book a table, call 01959 573166.