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ou might want to lay off the after-dinner coffee if you’re staying the night at this rather gorgeous pub in the hamlet of Ayot St Lawrence. It’s got nothing to do with the quality of the food and drink served by Izzy and the other friendly staff (which is excellent); simply that if you wake up during the night you might see the resident ghost.

Over the years, several guests have seen the spectral figure of a monk wandering around after dark, and heard mysterious footsteps shuffling about. Of course it could simply be someone fumbling their way to the loo after too many local ales (with several on tap, it stands to reason); but legend has it that the ghostly visitor is a monk who hung himself here back in the 14th century.

Ghosts aside, there are plenty of other reasons to come here, though. Nip along the road nose round George Bernard Shaw’s former home – with his glasses seemingly tossed onto his desk, it looks as though he’ll be back any minute – or head out for a cycle ride in the nearby lanes. You might see ghosts but you’re unlikely to come across many cars.