Steeped in history and dating in parts from Norman times, this extraordinary hotel has antique-filled bedrooms, an oasis rear garden bounded by the city wall, and a fine-dining restaurant.

Leave the fuss and fret of the AI(M) at Scotch Corner to reconnect with the land at this idyllic hotel, centred on a Georgian coach house amid gardens, parkland and woodland.

The Buchanan family's 16th-century coaching inn offers a warm Yorkshire mix of traditional pub, smart food and modern bedrooms with character. Overlooking the market square, it's a popular locals' spot both for the ales in the fire-warmed bar and snug and the accomplished cooking.

A 17th-century coaching inn on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park combines all the best of a larky hotel with themed bedrooms, friendly bar, good service, fine wines and long menus especially strong on fish.

Behind the solid exterior of an Edwardian park-side villa lies a Scandi-chic boutique hotel and popular drop-in restaurant.

Alluringly re-designed, this Georgian mansion set back from the High Street in a smart Huddersfield suburb, is brimming with distinctive spaces in which to sit, drink and dine.

With views over the Vale of York, this village inn has all the warmth, character and robust food expected of a 300-year-old country pub. Owners Michael and Sasha Ibbotson ensure guests, and their dogs, are well cared for.

A handy stopover on the A1, this is the very model of a perfect village pub, with flagged floors, beams, wood-burner, comfy seating, neat, fuss-free bedrooms, and menus that mix pub classics with more elaborate dishes

Against the backdrop of Stag Fell, with views over Wensleydale, this many-gabled stone-built retreat offers the perfect country house escape, with antiques, comfy armchairs, warm hospitality and modern cooking of local ingredients.

A riverside conversion of a Victorian grammar school and headmaster's house gains an A* for splendid, characterful, boutique-style bedrooms, some with terrace and hot tub, and short, set-price, foodie-pleasing menus.

Michael and Johanna Wignall have reimagined a 15th-century Dales inn, creating classy, contemporary bedrooms, most in annexes with views over Rylstone Fell, and intimate dining spaces in which to sample Michael's Michelin-starred cooking.

There are far-reaching views of the North York Moors from this substantial Edwardian house, a traditional, homely, owner-run B&B where a locally sourced breakfast includes Whitby kippers.

Open fires, flagstone floors and exposed stone walls give this 18th-century coaching inn, which recently underwent a swish refurbishment, a warm, traditional feel, to match its welcome.

Much altered since it was begun in 1695, the Cunliffe-Lister family's neo-Gothic, castellated fantasy castle is 'a very special place, grand and imposing', in 'simply glorious' pleasure grounds and parkland.

Overlooking the green acres of the Stray, this jazzed-up 19th-century coaching inn has bright, well-equipped bedrooms, a bar and brasserie serving cocktails, ales, and menus of locally sourced and specially grown produce.

In a 'beautiful setting', with views stretching across the Dales, this family-run hotel in an Edwardian country house is on a quiet lane one mile from town.