Corse Lawn House

Guests can eat and drink alfresco at the Hine family's hotel, a Queen Anne-style mansion overlooking a willow-draped duck pond in a rural hamlet. In the same ownership for more than 40 years, it is run today by Baba Hine and inspires fierce loyalty among our readers. ‘Love this place for its comfort, food, ambience and terrific staff,’ reads a typical report this year. The look is slightly dated – one trusted reader called it ‘dowdy’; fans prefer ‘traditional’. But there are ‘really spacious bedrooms with fresh milk for tea- and coffee-making, fresh fruit and delicious home-made shortbread’. They have period furniture and walls painted in shades of peach, pink, lavender, sienna . . . One suite has a carved four-poster and separate sitting room. Even standard rooms are a good size. A pool and tennis court are big pluses. In the restaurant and bistro, chef Chris Exley’s varied menus include dishes such as Cornish lobster and loin of local muntjac with cherry jus. ‘This hotel in the spring-green countryside is special: Baba Hine and her team have a winning formula that never ceases to delight.’ (JG and PL, and others)