The pretty UK village that's home to two of the best restaurants in the whole country

As the leaves begin to fall, the temperatures drop and the sky slowly turns a familiar shade of grey, staying cosy with a cup of tea near a roaring fire is in season. Just a stone’s throw away from the capital lies a-lover’s paradise which is a must-visit for anyone who considers themselves a ‘’.

Resting on the banks of the River Thames is Bray, a quintessential British village home to not one, but two of the nine three-Michelin-starred the UK proudly boasts. Undoubtedly one of the most innovative and unorthodox experiences is that of The Fat Duck, run by ‘gastronomic magician’

Taking inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’, customers are forced to question everything they thought they knew about food and taste. Married with rule-breaking science, Heston continues to impress guests after nearly 30 years in the Berkshire village.

You’ll find tasting menus that feature culinary and visual delights for eye-watering prices ranging from £275 to £395 per person. Details about his creations may be limited, with dishes merely given titles.

Customers can expect courses including ‘Sound of the Sea’, ‘Crab Ice Cream’, and ‘Like a Kid in a Sweet Shop’. The Fat Duck was one of the fastest restaurants to be awarded the three Michelin-star accolade; winning its first in 1999, second in 2002, before finally completing the set and highest honour in 2004.

You’ll find Heston’s other ventures - Dinner by Heston and The Hinds Head - in London and Bray, respectively. Dinner by Heston also boasts two Michelin stars, while The Hinds Head serves up traditional pub food in a historic landmark of the village.

Just down the road, nestled on the riverbank you’ll find the second three-Michelin-starred haunt, The Waterside Inn, run by the legendary Roux family. Opened by the late Albert and ., The Waterside Inn was their second venture after the iconic Le Gavroche in Mayfair, which closed its doors in January this year.

Michel Sr’s son Alain, cousin to familiar face Michel Jr, has been at the helm since 2002, continuing over 50 years of culinary greatness. In the inaugural UK Michelin Guide, published in 1974, the restaurant was awarded one star, then two in 1977 and three in 1985. It is the only restaurant in the world, outside France, to have retained three stars ever since.

Its A la Carte menu comes with a price tag of either £190 or £240 per person for two or three courses, respectively. You can find the likes of Duo of Scottish langoustine tartare and tails; Poached medallion of monkfish and cheek brandade; and Merrifield Farm duck breast on the menu.

Beyond the culinary excellence found in Bray, consider relaxing on a skippered yacht along the Thames, if you can brave the chill. The village is also a short distance from the royal town of Windsor.