Close to the northernmost of the Lakes, under Wythop Woods in the shadow of Skiddaw, this 300-year-old coaching inn, managed by Matthew Wylie, is ‘a very special place, say fans’.

'In a lovely location in quiet countryside’, Christopher and Andrea Varley’s 400-year-old manor house stands in wooded grounds with views across the Vale of Cartmel.

‘Great hotel, great food,' enthuse American readers in 2019, rating Gary and Donna MacRae’s ‘Lakeland gem’ as the ‘best hotel of our five-week European trip – and we stayed in some superb places’.

Bong, bong! It is dinner time at this ancient farmhouse-turned-hotel in grounds bordering Lake Ullswater, where the gong still summons guests to table.

‘Our very special place, where we love to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the countryside,’ writes a reader this year, signing off with a smiley emoji.

‘Strongly endorsed by readers this year: ‘The exceptional ambience of this very fine English country house hotel reflects Richard Lee’s personal, multi-talented approach.’

‘Nothing compares’ with the Cunliffes’ 'really special' country house hotel and its glamorous satellite, Lake House, with spa, half a mile away.

‘In a beautiful setting, with valley and fell views all around’, this country house, built for the daughter of a Liverpool ship owner, retains the leisured ambiance of its Edwardian past.

'A very special place.’ ‘Utterly charming.’ 'It’s not the Ritz, but you will feel like a lord.’ Lavish and frequent praise in 2019 for Wendy and Simon Bennett’s Victorian fantasy castle in the Eden valley.

‘Everything about this small, personal hotel was faultless, from the accommodation, food and helpful staff to the overall atmosphere.’ Readers loved this year’s stay at Kath and Liam Berney’s restaurant-with-rooms on Whinlatter Pass.

In ‘one of the prettiest villages in south Lakeland’, Richard Rose’s former 18th-century coaching inn is firmly on Cumbria’s culinary map.

In the once lawless Debatable Lands, Gerald and Margo Smith have brought order to a former coaching inn-turned-contemporary hotel.

By the water’s edge, watching the tide race in at Robert Lyons and Lesley Wheeler’s pub-with-rooms is a thrilling sight.

‘Marvellous stay.’ The Read family’s ‘wonderfully old-fashioned’ hotel draws back regular guests for the ‘wonderful food and very friendly staff’.

'Glorious fell views’, ‘excellent food’ and ‘capable, obliging staff’ are found at this family-friendly spot on the lower slopes of Skiddaw.

‘Once we had found our way round the one-way streets of Kirkby Lonsdale, we were shown up to a lovely corner room overlooking an alleyway and the church.’ Praise this year from readers for Iain and Jenny Black’s 400-year-old inn in a market town between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

In six acres of grounds and woodland, Sue and Peter Robinson’s ‘sympathetically restored’ Arts and Crafts stone house overlooks walkers’ paradise Brathay valley.

Ideally placed for exploring the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, Paul Spencer's laid-back inn sprawls comfortably on the road to Lupton.

Protected from the border’s lawless raiders by a 16th-century ‘bastle’, Elaine Packer’s ‘superb’ Georgian farmhouse overlooking Hadrian’s Wall is full of ‘every comfort’.

‘Kevin and Nicki Winsland, with their daughters Charlotte and Bex, have created a hotel of great charm and warmth.’ Readers enthuse over a stay at this small Victorian country house with gardens running down to the River Rothay, in a village forever associated with Wordsworth.

At the foot of the Howgill fells in the far western Dales, Graham and Fiona Lappin’s B&B is surrounded by glorious scenery. A welcome retreat, guests are served cakes, pastries and sandwiches on arrival; connoisseurs will appreciate the selection of 12 different loose leaf teas.

In the Lyth valley, Becky and Ash Dewar’s 16th-century hostelry is a village pub ‘with a modern twist’.

A cream tea on arrival and a hot tub in the grounds are among the pleasures that make Hazel Thompson’s B&B, in fans’ eyes, ‘the best in the Lakes’.

‘How wonderful it would be if many service areas (and indeed motorway hotels) could be like this one.’