A dramatic setting for weddings, family gatherings or a special celebration, the moorland views are just part of the allure of this isolated Georgian mansion, where former visitors are said to have included Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Was he inspired here to write The Hound of the Baskervilles? Possibly. No need to venture far, though. In 7 hectares of private gardens and grounds, the whole house is for hire on a self-catering basis and offers a pack of comforts. There’s a fully equipped farmhouse-style kitchen, leading out to a BBQ area with seating, a large dining room, relaxing lounge with log fire, a lobby and a games room with a pool table, darts, table tennis and football. The hot tub and infrared sauna make relaxing diversions. Twenty people can be accommodated in nine simply decorated bedrooms (extra beds can be arranged). One has a super-king four-poster, another a sleigh bed and ‘lovely view across the moor’.

The Yorke Arms is now an exclusive use venue. In the rolling Yorkshire Dales, the creeper-covered 18th-century shooting lodge, with extensive gardens, has an ‘unsurpassed’ location and dominates tiny Ramsgill. Inside, antiques and squashy sofas, plus hand-painted hessian wallpaper, are set against flagged floors and beamed ceilings. Bedrooms feature earthy colours and quirky themes: ‘Brew’ has teapot-patterned curtains. There are classy bathrooms and monogrammed linen. ‘The vegetable, fruit and flower gardens are wonderful, a real joy to walk around.’ Good walks from the door, too.

Five miles from the foodie town of Ludlow, two 300-year-old cottages with beautiful long views to the Clee hills form a rural haven for exclusive use gatherings. In the spacious house, there are oak floor boards, wooden beams and wood burners. Rustic bedrooms (one with French doors opening onto a balcony) have luxury quilts on large beds and look out over tranquil green spaces. At the end of a winding board walk, a cosy wooden cabin for two (The Retreat) has a small kitchen and access to decking with a fire pit and a private hot tub, and may be rented separately. Within the large garden, an outdoor dining area, BBQ, a lawned area for outdoor games and a treehouse.

Amid sheep-grazed pastures, this 16th-century farmhouse with outbuildings lies at the foot of the Rhinog mountains and has glorious views over Cardigan Bay to the Llyn peninsula. Guests make themselves at home in a converted granary, where three lofty rooms have their own access, beverages and self-catering facilities – a table, fridge, toaster and microwave. Exposed timbers and quirky old features join modern comforts in unpretentious bedrooms. Breakfast is delivered to the room; local restaurants and pubs are recommended. A wonderful location for exploring the area around Barmouth, there are walks and bicycle rides up the Mawddach estuary as well as castles and ruins to explore.  

Soul-stirring views of the Howgills and space to spread out in a luxurious, eclectically furnished Victorian country house make Brownber Hall a special place for private gatherings of family and friends. A mix of vintage, reclaimed, handmade and reupholstered furniture, with contemporary pieces, is used to decorate the eight ‘tranquil’, ‘well-appointed’ bedrooms, two large sitting rooms and a dining room, where a large table seats up to 16 people. A recently renovated kitchen sprawls across the ground floor. If the sun is shining, dining and barbecue options move to the south-facing terrace or the garden with mature trees and smooth lawns overlooking the fells. A welcome hamper of freshly baked sourdough, a jar of award-winning marmalade plus homemade cakes and biscuits is provided on arrival; fridges can also be pre-stocked with local produce, beers and wine. Home-cooked suppers can be arranged.