An ideal base for exploring James Herriot country, Robert and Sheila Mitchell’s ‘relaxing, welcoming’ B&B offers great walking and cycling routes, straight from the door – and ‘splendid’ facilities for wet or muddy kit. The owners ‘are genuinely caring’, writes a nominator in 2018; they provide a drying room, a boot-cleaning service and bicycle storage. Comfortable bedrooms with ‘superb views’ over Swaledale have fresh milk, biscuits, chocolates (all except the single have a bath and shower). Afternoons bring tea and home-made cake to the conservatory; the lounge has deep armchairs, a log fire in winter. ‘Breakfast is a gastronomic adventure; every taste catered for. One can indulge in anything from a trout to speciality crumpets to a full Yorkshire.’