GLUG WITH GANDALF

The "Landlord of the Rings" headlines were perhaps inevitable when Sir Ian McKellen bought The Grapes, an old dockers' pub in London's Limehouse just a few doors down from his home.

A listed building dating from 1720, it enjoys a Thames-side setting and is full of nautical memorabilia. There's a decent range of real ales, a restaurant serving Sunday roasts and even jugs of Kir Royale. Just the ticket for when Sir Ian has the cream of West End thespians drop by.

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WORK UP A THIRST: Take a stroll in the 22-acre Thames Barrier Park overlooking the flood barrier, a striking sight and an impressive feat of engineering.
CLEAR YOUR HEAD: Take the Docklands Light Railway to Greenwich and straddle the Meridian Line at the Royal Observatory. At the National Maritime Museum see the uniform Nelson was wearing when he was shot during the Battle of Trafalgar.

STAY: MoLi Collection (0203 051 6819/www.houseofmoli.com) offers City Reach serviced apartments from £166 per night (four sharing a two-bedroom apartment), self-catering.

TYNE, GENTLEMEN PLEASE

The Lodge, owned by TV presenting duo Ant & Dec, is on the edge of the Bigg Market in central Newcastle.
A cavernous, two-floored emporium full of chrome and big screens, this is one of the top watering holes for the Geordie hedonist crowd.
WORK UP A THIRST: Head to the old flour mill on the River Tyne which has been converted into the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, host of the Turner Prize from late October until January 2012.
CLEAR YOUR HEAD: Take a drive up the North-East coast to Seahouses, a working fishing village with a pretty harbour.

STAY: Jesmond Dene House Hotel & Restaurant (0191 212 3000/www.jesmonddenehouse.co.uk) offers doubles from £163 per night (two sharing), room only.

CHATTERING GLASSES

When Sir Michael Parkinson's Berkshire boozer retained its Michelin star this year, Parky, who owns The Royal Oak Paley Street with his son Nick, declared the honour "as good as winning a Bafta". Set near the village of Holyport, it has oak beams, a roaring fire and chef Dominic Chapman's award-winning dishes such as potted rabbit with pickles, and Toulouse sausage with braised lentils.

WORK UP A THIRST: The world's most famous racecourse, Ascot, is just a few furlongs away. A favourite of the Royals, the esteemed venue hosts meetings throughout the year including, on October 15, the inaugural QIPCO British Champions Day attended by the Queen.
CLEAR YOUR HEAD: From nearby Bray (home of Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck restaurant) you can kayak the Thames through historic Windsor, with a picnic lunch. Thames Kayaking (07501 440405/ www.thameskayaking.com) offers a four-hour kayak tour from £62 per adult, £40 per child (sharing a kayak with an adult).
STAY: Fredrick's Hotel, Restaurant and Spa (01628 581000/www.fredricks-hotel.co.uk) in Maidenhead offers doubles from £129 per night (two sharing), B&B.

GIN WITH GINGER

Radio presenter Chris Evans bought The Ram's Nest near his home in the village of Chiddingfold, Surrey, in 2006.
Spruced up and renamed The Mulberry Inn, it has earned a reputation for its high-end menu (think pate de fois gras and seafood tagliatelle).

WORK UP A THIRST: Petworth House, five miles away, is a National Trust property with one of the greatest collections of European art outside London.

CLEAR YOUR HEAD: If you can't get enough Langham beer at the Mulberry you can visit the brewery itself, set in an 18th-century barn overlooking the downs between Midhurst and Petworth.

STAY: The Mulberry Inn (01428 644460/www.evanspubs.co.uk) has three spacious rooms. Doubles from £70 per night (two sharing), room only.

LOCK, STOCK AND BEER BARRELS

Film director Guy Ritchie bought The Punch Bowl in London's swish Mayfair while married to Madonna and managed to hold on to it after their divorce. Run the gauntlet of paparazzi hoping to snap the A-list regulars and you'll find an atmospheric Dickensian candlelit interior, a fine wine list and some superior pub grub including smoked trout. Just don't expect Like A Virgin on the stereo.

WORK UP A THIRST: Just a few streets away is the former home of the composer Handel. Restored in all its Georgian finery, it is still used for occasional performances.

CLEAR YOUR HEAD: One of London's most elegant shopping areas, the Burlington Arcade dates back to 1819. Among the ritzy jewellery stores and bespoke watchmakers you can still spot the top-hatted Beadle watchmen who will tick you off for running or not closing your umbrella.

STAY: The Stafford London (0207 518 1119/www.kempinski.com/london) offers doubles from £250 per night (two sharing), room only.

*VisitEngland: www.visitengland.org