Brimful with curiosities, Debbie and Nigel Gadd’s opulent Edwardian house is on a quiet cobbled street a short walk from the town centre and castle. Spread over four floors, its ‘entertaining if slightly overcrowded’ public rooms display wall trophies, a diving helmet, a penny farthing, life-size giraffe, taxidermy specimens wearing a hat. The up-to-date bedrooms have ‘excellent lighting, instant hot water, and extremely comfortable beds; a clever use of space’. Rooms at the front gaze across woods and the river to the cathedral and castle; churchyard views at the back. ‘Breakfast was all one could wish for. The eggs were absolutely fresh, a rich orange, the fruit bowl was ample, the coffee excellent.’