The Grange at Oborne

Reached by a quiet country lane with a notice warning of 'ducks crossing', this 'trim' 200-year-old stone-built country house is within easy reach of Sherborne. Managed by Jennifer and Jon Fletcher, it is owned by her parents, Ken and Karenza Mathews. Visitors this year praised the 'excellent' service: 'The owners and staff were very friendly.' 'When my husband took ill, they were helpful and sympathetic.' Bedrooms are a mix of modern and traditional; some have a patio and direct garden access; two have a balcony. 'Ours was spacious, and had a large and impressive bathroom.' Traditional bedding is available, and there is a choice of pillows. In the 'pleasant' candlelit dining room, chef Nick Holt's dinner menu might include smoked haddock chowder, poached quail's egg; roasted breast of Gressingham duck with honey roast parsnips. 'On four successive nights the same vegetables were served, which was boring, but the highlight of the dinner was that increasing rarity, a dessert trolley.' Vegetarians were 'not treated like pariahs; not a pasta in sight'. 'Breakfast was fine, including a generous plateful of scrambled eggs and bacon' - but little pots of preserves. There is a large room for functions, weddings, etc. (AJ Gillingwater, Kathryn Colgrave)