Biggin Hall

‘Friendly’, ‘informal’ and ‘welcoming’, James Moffett’s ‘characterful’ hotel is well liked by walkers and dog owners, who come for the ‘reasonable prices’ and the ‘marvellous Derbyshire Dales setting’. It’s not to all tastes: some visitors find it too ‘straightforward’ – even ‘scruffy’ in parts. For fans, however, it’s all part of the charm, from the ‘delightful’ piggy neighbours to the ‘strange modern sculptures that made a good talking point at dinner’. ‘I fully endorse this quirky hotel,’ a regular Guide reader says in 2016. Simple, rustic bedrooms (some compact) are in the main house and varied outbuildings. ‘Our room itself was quirky, with twin beds at right angles. It had a good modern bathroom; a raised area with comfortable seating up a few steps. The walk from the lodge to the main house was part of the pleasure.’ Nibbles come with complimentary aperitifs before a ‘delicious, well-prepared’ country dinner, perhaps ‘an excellent steak followed by treacle tart – bliss’. ‘Each morning, they provided us with free sandwiches and drinks to take for our lunch – a wonderful touch.’ (Simon Rodway, Anne Laurence Thackray, Christopher Born, and others)