‘The Wood family continues to run this little hotel like a vocation,’ say readers this year, having visited regularly for over three decades. ‘It’s a very special, nurturing place to escape ordinary life for a while.’ The creeper-clad, extended 16th-century farmhouse, swaddled by ten acres of pretty gardens, and on the fringe of the North York Moors, is owned by brothers Bertie and Tom, and mother Jane. A ‘friendly welcome’ reveals traditional interiors – a grandfather clock, dark wood dresser, floral bedspreads in ‘comfortable’ rooms. ‘Peace and quiet enveloped and refreshed us. It’s like going on a retreat, but with lashings of creature comforts.’ The ‘warm, hospitable’ hosts are clearly used to walkers. ‘We returned soaking wet to have all our outer clothes kindly taken to a drying room, while we drank tea and ate well-deserved scones.’ Indeed, ravenous appetites are well catered for by a daily-changing, locally sourced menu, perhaps Lastingham smoked trout, horseradish sauce; roast rack of Kirkbymoorside lamb, Yorkshire sauce. ‘We had such enormous tender steaks we felt too full for pudding… but chose the light, delicately flavoured raspberries in elderflower jelly: a perfect finale.’ (Mr and Mrs Judson)