The ‘efficient, friendly staff’, ‘comfortable bedrooms’ and ‘first-class food’ make this 17th-century manor house on the edge of the Peak District national park a ‘brilliant hotel’, Guide readers say. It is owned by Lord and Lady Manners of medieval Haddon Hall, nearby; Laura Ball is the manager. Smart, modern decor coexists with mullioned windows, gilt-framed artwork and an antique piece or two. The cosy bar is characterful with beams, stone walls and an open log fire. Chic bedrooms have prints and paintings, and a marble bathroom stocked with top-end toiletries. (Rooms facing the busy road have double-glazed windows.) ‘Our room, lovely and quiet, overlooked the garden.’ In the restaurant, after amuse-bouche, sample chef Dan Smith’s modern cooking, perhaps wild garlic and nettle velouté, goat’s curd; Derbyshire beef fillet, glazed brisket, smoked mashed potatoes. For something less formal, ‘excellent’ bar classics include a fish of the day and rib-eye steak with chips. On a sunny day, traipse down the garden to the River Derwent – the staff can recommend local walks. Fisherfolk are well catered for: seven miles of fly fishing on the River Wye are ‘a real bonus’.