‘The wonderful views of Lough Corrib, combined with warm, easy-going hospitality, make this a place in which we could stay for ages.’ Built in 1842 by an enterprising forebear, the Hodgson family’s manor house standing in parkland draws guests back year after year. ‘Henry Hodgson and his mother, June, make a perfect front-of-house team: she greets visitors and oversees afternoon tea; he manages the enterprise. Henry organised an afternoon’s fishing with a local ghillie, then arranged to cook the brown trout my husband caught so all the guests could enjoy it at breakfast.’ A ‘true country house atmosphere’ reigns: there’s no TV in the spacious, traditionally decorated bedrooms, but there’s a croquet set at the ready, ‘plenty of books to borrow’, and ‘walks to enjoy – plus rain gear in the hall’. Listen for the gong summoning guests to dinner at 8 pm. In the ‘inviting dining room’, Lucy Hodgson’s daily-changing, no-choice menus (perhaps including Black Angus beef sirloin, horseradish romesco, kale) are ‘delicious’. ‘And “seconds” are always offered – excellent.’ ‘Generous breakfasts’ bring freshly baked soda bread and ‘exceptional Seville marmalade’. (Patricia Higgins, Richard Parish)