Newbegin House

‘Attentive and helpful’ owners Walter and Nuala Sweeney run their ‘lovely, welcoming home-away-from-home’ in the centre of this attractive market town. B&B accommodation occupies part of the ‘fine’ Georgian house standing in a ‘lived-in’ walled garden (‘remarkable, so close to the centre’); the rest of the building, in which three generations of the Sweeney family live, is ‘full of life, with family members moving about, though not intrusively’. ‘The house reflects the style and tastes of its owners – it’s full of paintings, photos and fine furniture, some clearly antiques.’ Put your feet up in ‘spacious’ bedrooms well stocked with hot drinks, sodas, fresh milk, biscuits and chocolates; each has a ‘very comfortable’ super-king-size bed, silent mini-fridge, up-to-date tech. ‘Good, adjustable lighting, so unusual in most hotels, enabled easy reading.’ The hosts have much ‘useful information’ about the town to share; ask for dinner recommendations nearby. Breakfast is ‘superb’: ‘proper black pudding freshly prepared, beautiful fruit, decent toast and great coffee’. ‘We were spoilt.’ (J and TS, Sue and John Jenkinson)