Take a short drive out of town and soon you'll be in another world. The low-lying marshes of the Somerset Levels are where Alfred the Great hid and regrouped after defeat at the hands of the Vikings and the whole area is steeped in the history of famous battles. It's blessed with some pretty good inns, too, and you can be sure that, unlike Alfred, the chefs in these Bridgwater restaurants won't be burning any cakes.

As an ancient port town, Bridgwater has always been open to influences from abroad and you can see this today in the locals' love of a good curry. Spice Gallery is on hand to satisfy those cravings, combining well-loved Indian favourites with some carefully-chosen regional dishes. Look out for Chittagong chilli, with Bay of Bengal king prawns cooked in a well-balanced onion, pepper and fennel infused masala, and sprinkled with fenugreek leaves. Nihari lamb, meanwhile, showcases shank of Welsh lamb, which is slow cooked and served in a red wine jus with a Bengal mash studded with freshly roasted mustard seeds.