Wooded hillside forms a pleasing backdrop to this ‘comfortable country hotel’ in an ‘optimal position’ for exploring the northern Lakes.

In a ‘very quiet’ Chew Valley hamlet criss-crossed by public footpaths ideal for a ramble, this ‘most appealing’ inn is ‘a good base and a real bargain’, say Guide readers this year.

Pile in for the jolly quiz night, or sample one of the whiskies from an astonishing collection at Sue Burdge’s 17th-century dwelling house–turned–lively village pub-with-rooms.

The flagstone floors, cavernous fireplaces, labyrinthine corridors and barrel-vaulted crypt bar ‘reek of history’ at this cheerfully updated medieval abbot’s lodge in a conservation village on the North Pennine moors.

‘Warm and friendly’, and ‘good value’ to boot, Louise Dinnes’s Victorian pub-with-rooms stands in a conservation village surrounded by a national parkland of windswept fells.

Janet and Edward Boynton’s 19th-century coaching inn between moors and dales is roundly endorsed by Guide readers, who praise its ‘hospitable, interesting owners’, ‘enjoyable dinners’, ‘relaxing atmosphere’ and ‘excellent value’.

‘Here’s a taste of Cotswold heritage: mullioned windows, beamed ceilings, flagstone floors, the sweet smell of wood smoke.’

Once a stop-over for the York-to-Whitby stagecoach, this 16th-century coaching inn is today a ‘lovely, friendly’ spot, its window boxes abloom in season.

On the green of an ‘idyllic’ Cotswold village, this centuries-old inn is ‘an attractive place to stay’, with a ‘relaxed, easy’ ambience, say Guide inspectors in 2017.

‘A wonderful place’, the Inkin brothers’ dining pub-with-rooms combines a ‘relaxed, happy-making atmosphere’ with ‘decently sized, nicely furnished bedrooms’.

Wide, tranquil views of salt marshes add to the relaxing atmosphere at the Nye family’s ‘first-rate’ Norfolk inn. ‘Cheerful, pleasingly confident’ staff, ‘modern, well-equipped’ rooms and ‘tasty, varied’ menus seal the deal.

‘A congenial atmosphere and a happy buzz’ greeted Guide inspectors arriving at Richard Ireton and Sarah Hudson’s refurbished 17th-century coaching inn, in a ‘postcard-worthy rural setting’ by the stone bridge over the River Monnow.

‘An agreeable, solidly comfortable base for exploring the area’, Sam and Janet Bakose’s updated 18th-century inn sits off the A272 in the South Downs national park.

‘A warm welcome and excellent food’ add up to a ‘thoroughly enjoyable’ stay at Nicola and Steve Reynolds’s pub-with rooms, say Guide readers this year.

On the edge of Pagham Harbour nature reserve, this whitewashed restaurant-with-rooms is ‘a wonderfully tranquil, timeless, tucked-away sort of place’.

Arrive to the ‘warmest of welcomes’ at this ‘bustling’ pub- and restaurant-with-rooms, whose elegantly weathered interiors and airy, high-ceilinged rooms attract a well-heeled crowd in this upmarket neighbourhood.

On a narrow street lined with independent shops and restaurants, this voguish pub-with-rooms is equal parts bustle (downstairs in the busy pub) and calm (upstairs in the ‘thoughtfully furnished' bedrooms).

‘However you look at it, it’s truly a delight.’

‘What makes this 16th-century freehouse so special is the atmosphere: informal and friendly, yet 100% professional.’

A ‘micro-country house’ in a peaceful Lincolnshire village, Paul and Lorraine Willoughby’s 17th-century inn ‘oozes character’.

‘A hive of activity’, Clare and Charlie Garrard’s 17th-century thatched inn is well liked for its ‘excellent accommodation’, ‘enjoyable food’ and ‘efficient, professional staff’.

‘A fashionable place that attracts far-flung customers’, this updated pub-with-rooms stands in a small village overlooking the Vale of Mowbray, on the edge of the North York Moors.

‘We loved the atmosphere, the amazing food and the beautiful bedrooms.’

Run with ‘an easy, informal air’, Graham and Rachel Bucknall’s ‘bright’, ‘lively’ restaurant-with-rooms on the historic Union Canal has ‘all the character you could hope for’.