Barnsley House

Soak in the ‘serenity’ and ‘romantic air’ of this ‘relaxed’ 17th-century gabled stone manor house, once home to the garden designer Rosemary Verey. It was she who created the parterres and topiary, the laburnum walk and the ornamental fruit garden we see today; a winding path leads to the modern spa, outdoor hydrotherapy pool and 30-seat cinema. The luxury hotel is part of the Calcot Hotels group; there’s ‘a nice country house feel’ throughout. Check in to bedrooms well equipped with aromatherapy products and magazines; bottled waters, hot drinks and biscuits. A ‘lovely’ junior suite in the main house was liked: ‘flower prints on the walls; a comfy bed; a sitting room with a window seat; a garden view through a window like a porthole; the sound of birds singing’. Evenings, linger over a ‘pleasant’ meal in the restaurant, where Francesco Volgo’s short menus reflect the abundance of seasonal, home-grown produce – pea and asparagus soup; roast carrots and purple sprouting broccoli with pork. ‘We liked the flexibility of being able to dine at the Village Pub [see Shortlist] as an alternative.’. This hotel is a member of Pride of Britain hotels.