The Coach House at Middleton Lodge

Minutes from the A1(M) at Scotch Corner, on a ‘huge estate in beautiful countryside’, James Allison’s ‘exciting’, ‘very chic’ restaurant-with-rooms is approached by a tree-lined drive. Expert travellers found it ‘thoroughly enjoyable’. Bedrooms are in the ‘sensitively restored’ Georgian coach house and outbuildings around a courtyard; for an extra rustic touch, choose a garden room with a small private terrace and seating amid seasonal flowers. In each bedroom, expect well-considered amenities: glossy magazines; an espresso machine, a minibar with bottled water, fruit juice and crisps; cotton robes and ‘excellent’ toiletries. ‘Our double-height tack room was amazing, with a huge bed, three-seat sofa, and wood-burning stove with a basket of logs.’ Cross the courtyard to the ‘attractive’ restaurant and bar, where Gareth Rayner cooks such ‘fine and interesting’ modern dishes as halibut, mussels, smoked oil, wild leeks. (There are menus for children, vegans, vegetarians.) The astute service receives ‘bonus points’. In the morning, sample ‘several Yorkshire specialities’ at breakfast. (P and JT)