‘Whenever a special date crops up, we make a beeline for Gravetye and have never been disappointed.’

We have readers who have been returning for more than 20 years to the Wild family’s traditional hotel ‘in a picturesque village’ once known for oyster fishing.

On a quiet side street in this photogenic town on the River Windrush, the Lamb has been receiving guests since the 1750s.

A change of both name and feel for Bingham Riverhouse this year, its ‘more traditional, opulent style’ replaced by ‘something more informal and friendly’, say our inspectors.

‘A hidden treasure.’ On the banks of the Cuckmere river, this handsome, extensively enlarged old farmhouse is run ‘with the highest standards of hospitality'.

Flanked by two golf courses, this 18th-century coaching inn, in a quiet New Forest hamlet, is ‘a great option for a relaxed weekend away’.

A taste of life at sea is creating waves at this large, contemporary hotel jutting out over Ocean Village Marina.

Between cathedral city and marina, set a little back from the main road, Lloyd van Rooyen and Gavin Wilson's smart, contemporary hotel centres on a farmhouse in a pastoral setting.

Beyond a walled terrace, an oak door leads into a 17th-century house that now finds itself at the edge of the city.

Nautical styling is spliced with New Forest hospitality at this ‘friendly’ riverside hotel, once the home of Henry Adams, master shipbuilder to Nelson.

Opposite the Bodleian Library, this contemporary conversion of three stone buildings retains the spacious feel of their Georgian origins.

‘This is a chain hotel, but so kind and beautifully situated.’ A great, white Victorian edifice, the Grand is part of the small Elite Hotels group, but there is nothing elitist here.

‘We had an absolutely lovely stay.’ ‘Such a graceful house' in 'one of England's best preserved medieval towns'. Trusted Guide readers staying in 2019 joined fans in feeling ‘truly cosseted’ at this Queen Anne-style house.

J M W Turner would take the steam packet down the Thames to Margate. Today Londoners can hop aboard HS2 at St Pancras mid-morning, and enjoy lunch with a sea view at Nick Conington’s 'friendly' hotel.

Near Blenheim Palace, old-world charm and modern facilities unite at this child-friendly hotel with bags of personality in a Cotswolds market town.

At the gates of Waddesdon Manor, a half-timbered, ornately patterned Grade II listed house, originally built to accommodate the architects and craftsmen working on the manor’s construction.

‘Peaceful’ countryside views roll away from this luxurious, ‘very grand’ Victorian mansion in 66 acres of ‘spectacular’ grounds.

Owner George Dailey revitalised this honey-stone roadside pub from a tired pub into a popular village hub.

Touring dogs and their discerning owners are warmly welcomed at Imogene and Robert Anglaret’s ‘perfect little dog-friendly hotel’ which has walkies straight into the surrounding New Forest.

An idyllic spot, this Thames-side hotel and spa is ‘so very relaxing’.