A Michelin star is awarded to restaurants offering outstanding cooking and is a rare thing in the culinary world.

Restaurants are reviewed by inspectors looking at five universal criteria: The quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavours, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and, just as importantly, consistency both across the entire menu and over time.

For us, the public, eating at a restaurant with a Michelin star is considered a privilege given the price, effort, and status of the restaurant.

In and nearby Wiltshire there are several top-end restaurants that have the honour of boasting a star, here we take a look at them and what the guide has to say.

Michelin star restaurants in Wiltshire:

The Dining Room - Easton Grey, Malmesbury, SN16 0RB

One MICHELIN star: High-quality cooking, worth a stop!

Michelin review: "Twelve acres of formal grounds surround this charming Cotswold stone house, which dates back to 1802 and offers lovely views out over the countryside.

"Head Chef Ricki Weston oversees both the elegant brasserie and the intimate dining room; for a special occasion book the latter, with its neutral décor and serene, romantic feel.

"The evening starts with snacks in the kitchen, before moving on to the 7-course set menu, which includes vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian versions. Don’t be misled; the terse, understated descriptions belie the detail and creativity that goes into the modern, artfully presented dishes, which come with some intriguing contrasts of texture and flavour.

"The wine list features both vegan and biodynamic options, as well as plenty of mature wines."

Bybrook - West Street, Castle Combe, SN14 7HX

One MICHELIN star: High-quality cooking, worth a stop!

Michelin review: "One of the last true country house hotels, this fine 14C manor house sits within 365 acres of formal gardens and parkland in a picture-postcard village. A sweeping drive leads up to the main building and the immensely charming interior features characterful oak panelling and a host of cosy open-fired lounges.

"Dining here is a very formal experience: drinks and snacks are served in the bar, before a set dinner in the cavernous dining room with its large feature wall, flower arrangements, leather chairs and immaculately laid solid oak tables.

"Sustainable home-grown and local produce plays a pivotal role in the cooking, which results in a flavoursome blend of simple and more luxurious ingredients. Dishes are precisely prepared and arrive in refined, tried-and-tested combinations with modern overtones."

Restaurant Hywel Jones by Lucknam Park - Colerne, SN14 8AZ

One MICHELIN star: High-quality cooking, worth a stop!

Michelin review: "This is country house dining at its finest – opulent, formal and sophisticated – and it suits this grand Palladian mansion perfectly. Rich, elegant décor, extravagant furnishings and sumptuous fabrics feature throughout, from the beautiful bedrooms to the drawing rooms where pre-meal drinks are enjoyed.

"Expertly crafted dishes rely on classic techniques but have a light, modern style, and ingredients are luxurious and of top quality. Structured service comes with as much polish as the silver."