In the oft-overlooked Eden valley, between the Lake District and North Pennines, this handsome country guest house offers 'high standards, a relaxed atmosphere' and fell views.

The sweep of honey-stone buildings that form Bath’s Georgian crescent is home to two majestic mansions which combine as one hotel, beyond which lie a leafy garden and atmospheric spa.

This long-established country house hotel with a walled garden, set in a peaceful Cumbrian village, has had an elegant refurbishment without compromising ‘its sense of history and tradition’.

Guests can eat and drink alfresco at the Hine family's hotel, a Queen Anne-style mansion overlooking a willow-draped duck pond in a rural hamlet.

At the end of its mile-long drive, this Elizabethan manor house with glorious gardens and superb dining is, for many guests, the ultimate country house hotel.

When the Earl of Ilchester hired a certain Thomas Hardy to extend his Georgian dower house, he could not have foreseen the praise it would receive as an 'extremely well-run, very comfortable, welcoming hotel with first-class food' (Relais & Châteaux) and spa.

A man for all seasons, Raymond Blanc has created something beautiful at this 15th-century manor house where he has held two Michelin stars since 1984.

‘The place breathes class,’ says a Guide inspector of Jake Dinsdale’s Jacobean-style country house, set high in the Yorkshire Dales on the Pennine Way.

The words Padstow and Rick Stein go together like fish and chips, and his flagship restaurant offers stylish rooms so you can totter up to bed after your fill of the sea.

Sink into a recliner on the terrace at this cliff-top hotel, and you can gaze out at ‘panoramic sea views’ over Gerrans Bay – or lie back and think of New England, prompted by the seaside-chic decor.

In the same family since it was built in the early 17th century, this manor house in Thomas Hardy's 'vale of little dairies' has a timeless appeal – but change has been afoot.

This homely, family-friendly hotel, just outside Abersoch, with glorious views of Cardigan Bay, continues to get things right year after year, which is why its loyal guests keep on returning.

It's a scenic crossing from Oban to this island of white-sand beaches, where the one hotel stands on a hillside overlooking the harbour with views to neighbouring Jura.

The only hotel in Jura’s only village is part of the appeal of this modest yet hospitable, family-run affair; the rest is the peace, remoteness, views, wildlife and fresh, island-sourced food.

Amid rolling countryside, this unassuming roadside inn is so renowned for its outstanding food that it gave its name to the hamlet that grew up around it.

‘The situation is absolutely beautiful; perfect for wild swimmers,’ write readers this year, in praise of this remote hideaway hotel on the shores of Loch Sunart.

There isn’t a castle, but there is a 15th-century tower house, built for the ‘Prince of the Burren’, the unearthly glaciokarst landscape said to have inspired J R R Tolkien.

Second-generation owners Mark and Mary Wheeler continue a 60-year tradition of welcoming guests to their Georgian-cum-Victorian house in landscaped grounds and gardens, with a sandy beach on Lough Swilly.

When farmer’s wife Myrtle Allen opened a restaurant in her Georgian farmhouse back in 1964, she did not dream that she was starting a quiet revolution in Irish food, or that her home would become the epitome of country house hotel style.

Once you have navigated the joys of this 'rambling building' in honey Cotswold stone, with its 'superb spa', cinema and choice of dining, there are the 26 different 'rooms' in the 'beautiful, well-tended gardens' to explore.

'The location is stunning, the views as the sun sets truly magical’ from this family-run, cliff-top hotel and spa, with acres of Scandi-style relaxation space, squashy sofas, and plenty of things to do, from relaxing in a spa pool to surfing at the beach.

This Cotswold stone country house hotel, now under the ownership of Fuller's, retains both its charm and its hare motifs, which crop up everywhere, from pillowcases to prints.

‘Neatness and sweetness all around, These at Prestonfield are found’, wrote Benjamin Franklin, after a stay at this 17th-century mansion in parkland under Arthur’s Seat. ‘This hotel was wonderful,’ a trusted reader waxes no less lyrical.

Part of the Duke of Devonshire’s Yorkshire estate at Bolton Abbey, the Devonshire Arms has grown from a 17th-century inn to a country house hotel with spa, fine dining and helipads.

Tucked away behind a shopping street in a market town lies Vanessa and Les Scott’s dog-friendly, child-friendly hotel, occupying a Palladian villa in gardens.

Richard Lee often greets guests in his chef’s uniform, which sets the tone for this personally run country house with views over Esthwaite Water and fells.

A seaside hotel with serious style, Olga Polizzi's glowing white collection of cottages and former yacht clubhouse cascading down the hillside is a cross between New England and Mediterranean Riviera.

By many standards, Gilpin is the Lake District’s most luxurious hotel with no-expense-spared rooms, Michelin-starred dining, numerous staff, and acres of space.

The deliciously remote setting in a tiny Exmoor hamlet is as 'exceptional' as the food at this small hotel just 500 yards from the coast path, with views over hog-backed cliffs to the Bristol Channel.

‘When you hear that this revamped 16th-century pub on the Castle Ashby Estate is owned by Lord and Lady Northampton, you expect it to be posh with a capital P,’ writes a Guide insider – but happily no!

Ariane and Jamie Jones preside over a much-admired hotel and restaurant in this 300-year-old thatched cottage once home to a local shepherd (Gabriel Oak, we like to think, for this is the very heart of Thomas Hardy country).

In arguably the Lake District’s most picturesque valley, Borrowdale, this Edwardian country house has spectacular views and is a favourite of outdoors lovers who like their creature comforts.

With views to the sheep-dotted fields and hills across the Peak District's Hope valley, a peaceful garden, breakfast feasts and large, pretty bedrooms, it’s no surprise Underleigh wins so much praise.

In a scattered hamlet on the western shore of Loch Dunvegan, in the far north of Skye, a whitewashed stone crofter’s cottage is the setting for this fine-dining restaurant-with-rooms.

'Beautiful views of the bay', 'outstanding staff' and lovely sub-tropical gardens see guests returning to book their favourite room year after year at this 'wonderful hotel' whose afternoon teas were once enjoyed by Queen Victoria.

Fruit and cut flowers from the organic garden, eggs from the hens, honey from the hives, and romantic associations with Thomas Hardy are among the many charms of Sally and Chris Searle's Victorian rectory B&B.

There is a warm-hearted sense of fun about Jeannette and Anthony Goodrich’s ‘very welcoming’ child-friendly, dog-friendly, rose-covered 14th-century pub.

Light, colour and fishy fun are the key ingredients of this periwinkle-blue building in prime position on cheery Aberaeron’s harbourside.

A circular drive, creeper-covered facade, rolling lawns and woodland are as you would expect of a country home once a retreat for circuit judges.

Amid coastal gardens, across the road from the important wildlife habitat of Camber dunes, Harry Cragoe’s adults-only hotel has the feel of a Californian motel.