In a pretty conservation village, ‘helpful’, ‘hospitable’ hosts Julie and Paul Evans run their relaxed small hotel with ‘enthusiasm and professionalism’.

The ‘well-kept’ gardens reach into woodland thick with rabbits and roe deer, while the ‘remarkable’ bar within the 17th-century coaching inn stocks over 70 malt whiskies. The whole is a ‘lovely’ country hotel, whose many fans think it ‘a special place’.

‘With a tradition of service that’s second to none, this is without doubt one of the finest country house hotels – if not the finest – in England,’ raves a regular Guide reader this year.

When John Remington, vicar of Cartmel, entertained the Duke of Devonshire at this 17th-century stone manor in 1842, he built the very fine dining room in his honour (visitors still admire its panelling, bay windows and ornate moulded ceiling today).

Take a step back in time to a gentler age. This 17th-century stone farmhouse has been home for 112 years to the Baldry family, who welcome guests with legendary kindness.

‘Quite excellent’, Louise Dinnes’s ‘friendly’ country pub-with-rooms continues to attract regular visitors with its ‘unstuffy, warm and welcoming’ atmosphere, and ‘remarkably good value for money’.

‘People go to the Lakes for beauty, peace and solitude. New House Farm has all of this in abundance.’ Close to Wordsworth’s birthplace, Hazel Thompson’s ‘beautifully restored’ Grade II listed 17th-century farmhouse marries the romance of tradition with the comfort of modern amenities.

‘A place that draws us back.' A regular Guide reader, in 2016, paid a third visit to Robert Lyons and Lesley Wheeler’s former staging post on the Leven estuary. .

‘A fine example of a Good Hotel’, this 18th-century house has been run as a ‘friendly’ hotel by Stephen Bore, and Angela and Adrian Hyde since 1992.

With ‘no rules – just plenty of warm, friendly staff, and wonderful food and service’, Wendy and Simon Bennett’s Victorian fantasy castle continues to win rave reviews.

‘We were not disappointed.’ Beside Whinlatter Pass, Kath and Liam Berney extend the ‘warmest welcome’ to guests at their ‘idyllic’ restaurant-with-rooms.

‘What a great find!’ In a peaceful rural spot ‘conveniently’ close to the M6, this ‘out-of-the-ordinary’ motorway hotel (formerly the Westmorland) is upgraded to a full entry, thanks to trusted Guide correspondents whose stay in 2016 ‘exceeded expectations’.

In a historic market town just right for a potter, Iain and Jenny Black's 17th-century inn pleases dogs (‘and their well-behaved owners’) with its personable atmosphere.

In an unassuming village in the Lake District (best known, perhaps, for its gingerbread and its Wordsworth connection), Glynis and Simon Wood’s ‘friendly’, ‘good-value’ family-run hotel houses a remarkable restaurant offering ‘imaginative’ dishes with a local flavour.

Guests rave about the views at Sue and Peter Robinson’s ‘friendly’ guest house.

Wordsworth’s Grasmere, with its ‘multitude of small shops, galleries and cafés’, is a magnet for literary sightseers, yet this ‘lovely’ Victorian country house is a ‘haven of peace’.

A log fire still burns in the original Victorian fireplace of this one-time walkers’ hostel, but virtually everything else about the ‘beautifully renovated’, ‘comfortably furnished’ mansion is bright with a ‘fabulous’ new modern-rustic style, and a ‘superb’ team of staff to boot.

‘We enjoyed staying here.’ Overlooking Elter Water, Mark and Ruth Jones’s country hotel is liked for its ‘helpful’ staff, ‘stunning’ views and ‘excellent’ food.

There are ‘superb’ views and uninterrupted vistas from this secluded hotel at the head of the Borrowdale valley, across to Catbells, Skiddaw and Derwent Water.

Weary fell walkers and climbers have found refuge in the comforting atmosphere and crackling fires at this unpretentious, dog-friendly inn for more than 300 years.

‘Just what you want in a country inn – good beer, excellent food and nice bedrooms.’ Richard Rose’s ‘fantastic’ 300-year-old inn stands alongside a stone church in the peaceful Lyth valley.

The Read family’s loyal following praises the ‘personable’ staff, welcoming atmosphere and ‘outstanding’ food at this extended Victorian house in ‘delightful’, well-maintained gardens.

Pull off the National Trail and into Liam McNulty and Lauren Harrison’s B&B on a 100-acre organic farm: the longest-running stretch of uninterrupted Hadrian’s Wall wends straight through the farmyard.

Amblers, ramblers, ambition bikers and serious hikers receive an ‘excellent’ welcome at Elaine Packer’s ‘magnificent’ B&B.