In ‘lovely Cotswold stone buildings around a pretty courtyard’, this mostly 16th-century former coaching inn has had a stylish make-over.

‘Very enjoyable; a place for relaxing weekends and special occasions,’ say Guide inspectors of the ‘beautifully proportioned Queen Anne mansion in spacious grounds’.

A 17th-century mellow stone building overlooking the ‘broad way’ with its cafés, antique shops and milling tourists, is run as a well-regarded restaurant-with-rooms by Andrew and Gaynor Riley.

In ‘a lovely rural location’ yet within easy reach of the town centre and Worcester cathedral, Chrissie Mitchell's ‘spotless' and 'very reasonable' B&B is ‘surrounded by delight’.

‘Twin sentinel clipped yews’ stand at the entrance of this 15th-century half-timbered stone hotel, part of the Cotswolds Inns and Hotels group.

In a ‘stunning setting’ that inspired CS Lewis, this 18th-century dower house stands high in the Malvern hills.

‘A useful stopover’, this revamped roadside Victorian coaching inn ‘is liked by locals for its much-praised food and good value’.

A drive through woodland brings visitors to ‘a romantic lake, a spectacular dovecote, a splendid fountain’, and what looks, for all the world, like a Loire château.

‘Helpful owners’ Pam and David Talboys run their ‘beautifully appointed’ B&B in a Grade II listed late 16th-century building overlooking a Cotswold High Street of mellow stone houses.

With its own farm, orchard, vegetable and herb gardens, food is at the heart of everything at Judy Gardner’s restored restaurant-with-rooms, occupying a half-timbered farmhouse and rustic outbuildings.

A tranquil, dog-friendly Edwardian country house offers a restful change of pace to guests of all breeds and most budgets.