Headlam Hall

This country hotel ticks all the boxes – historic building, beautiful gardens, smart bedrooms, relaxed dining, spa and pool – while retaining a homely feel. ‘The warmth of the welcome by staff continued to impress,’ says one fan; ‘a beautiful hotel in glorious surroundings,’ enthuses another. Surrounded by the Robinson family’s farmland, the hall – dating from Jacobean times – is impressive. Tartan carpets on flagged or polished-wood floors, tweed-covered armchairs, and walls with hunting prints and Victorian watercolours create ‘a comfortable yet informal atmosphere’. There is space to relax, from the elegant drawing room or cosy library bar to the spa and the terraces overlooking the gardens. Bedrooms are ‘modern country house’ in style, and range from the main hall, with original features, to more contemporary spa bedrooms, and rustic mews and coach house rooms. The restaurant wins praise for its ‘quality, value and variety of menus’. Meals include steak and ale pie, bistro dishes such as herb-crusted hake, plus vegetarian choices. ‘All in all a delightful place to stay.’ (Alwyn and Thelma Ellis, Ralph Wilson, HP)