Bridgehampton, Long Island's horsey, WASP-y enclave, is in the media spotlight. Not only have Dolce & Gabbana models been upstaging ponies at polo matches, but a number of celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker have recently bought properties in town. Then there's the wine: Long Island vineyards have come into their own, with two of the best near Bridgehampton. But as well as wine-tasting and enjoying the polo (July to August) or the Hampton Classic Horse Show (August to September), take time to appreciate the pristine Protestant churches and old farm buildings, contemporary art galleries and eclectic antique and speciality shops. For more see our guide to the Hamptons.

BRIDGEHAMPTON INN
2266 Main Street (00 1 631 537 3660; www.bridgehamptoninn.com). This is a country style B&B, built in 1795, with antiques in the parlour and breakfast treats such as Swedish pancakes with apple sauce and orange French toast, courtesy of the celebrated Loaves & Fishes gourmet takeaway. ££

ALISON RESTAURANT
95 School Street (00 1 631537-7100). This is good for a smart night out.

CANDY KITCHEN
2391 Main Street (00 1 631 537 9885). This is a classic American luncheonette serving home-made ice cream, burgers and fried clams. Lounge with the locals on blue-leather banquettes with chipped marble tops.

WORLD PIE
2402 Main Street (00 1 631 537 7999). Serves up live jazz with Sunday brunch and pizza straight from the oven. The dark-wood bistro is cosy and chic, and almost as well known for its surly staff as for its taco pizza.

BRIDGEHAMPTON POLO CLUB
849 Hayground Road (00 1 212 421 1367; www.sportpolo.com/Tournaments/Clubs/Bridgehampton). This is the place to see the world's great polo players in action. The season's tournaments take place on six consecutive Saturdays from 10 July to 14 August.

ELAINE BENSON GALLERY AND SCULTURE GARDEN
2317 Main Street (00 1 631 537 3233). Now run by Elaine's daughter Kimberly Goff, this has a beautiful indoor gallery with paintings and sculptures in ever-changing exhibitions. Outside, nature, culture and art blend beautifully in her outdoor sculpture garden.

CHANNING DAUGHTERS WINERY
1927 Scuttlehole Road (00 1 631 537 7224; www.channingdaughters.com). For those who like a little culture with their viniculture, this winery on 125 acres of farm and woodland, is famed not only for its lively Chardonnay (L'Enfant Sauvage), Pinot Grigio and Merlot, but also for the whimsical wooden sculptures crafted by proprietor Walter Channing.

WORKING OUT

Squillionaire wives and mistresses head to Butter Lane, Bridgehampton (00 1 631 537 3290) for classes in Lotte Berk method, where, for $25 a class, they move their leotard-clad pelvises to instructions given by owners Elisabeth Halpap and Fred deVitos.

The yoga classes run by sexy spiritual leader John Seelye at the Hayground Elementary School, 151 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton (00 1 631 329 0172), appeal to more rarefied Hampton residents and visitors. The classes and workshops take place under a tent emblazoned with a capital Y, where women routinely stand on their heads and throw their legs behind their neck without flinching. You can also book your own personal trainer from the Baraka cross-training group. Eighty per cent of the workout is done outdoors by your pool or on the beach. Be prepared to feel the burn. Call 00 1 212 255 0067.

ANNE MOORE
2468 Main Street (00 1 631 537 8476). This is where you buy Anne Moore's brightly coloured, big-brimmed, straw hats. Oprah wore one recently on the cover of her magazine, O.

LOAVES & FISHES COOKSHOP
2422 Main Street (00 1 631 537 6066). This is the place to go for state-of-the-art kitchenware such as Chiarugi peppermills and Microplane graters; it also stages cooking demos by top Manhattan chefs.

AIRPORT
Fly to La Guardia Airport or JFK International Airport, then drive to the Hamptons.

AIRLINES FROM THE UK
Among the major operators serving New York are British Airways (0845 779 9977; www.british-airways.com), American Airlines (0845 778 9789; ww.aa.com) and United (0845 844 4777; www.unitedairlines.co.uk).

BY CAR
Leave early to beat the jams leaving Manhattan at the weekends. Take the Long Island Expressway (LIE/I-495) east to Exit 70 to 111 South to Sunrise Highway/Route 27 East. For Westhampton to Montauk, follow Route 27 East. For Sag Harbor, turn left at Bridgehampton-Sag Road in Bridgehampton. The Long Island Rail Road also services the area all the way to Montauk.

Alternatively, take the seaplane direct to East Hampton from 23rd Street. Call 00 1 631 537 2202.

A good guide book is Fodor's Where to Weekend Around New York City.

The best time to go is summer, which is high season. The ocean water doesn't really get warm enough for swimming - except for the hardiest souls - until July. The shoulder season months, May and September, are also a lovely time to visit, when the weather is chilly but sunny, and the locals come out from hiding. Always call ahead off-season: many hotels close during this period, and the bulk of restaurants and shops close for at least a month in winter.