Judges

Guests roundly praise the ‘professionalism and charm’ of the Downs family’s ‘brilliant’ country house hotel. The Victorian pile stands in ‘lovely manicured parkland’ on the edge of the North Yorkshire moors. Within, the ‘dedicated’ staff are ‘unstarchy’, ‘friendly’, ‘extremely attentive’. Downstairs, find swagged curtains, prints of famous paintings, ‘comfortable’ sofas and armchairs. Traditionally decorated bedrooms are individually styled. ‘Our spacious room had beautiful blue chintz on the walls and bedding, plus a decanter of sherry along with the usual coffee and teas – wonderful.’ Book a room with a spa bath for ‘a fabulous foam soak of Hollywood starlet proportions’. Beds are turned down in the evening; set your shoes out for an old-fashioned shine. After ‘unusual’ canapés and pre-dinner drinks, sit down to a ‘delicious’ dinner, perhaps of hand-dived scallops, sweetcorn purée, Yorkshire chorizo, pickled leeks; fillet of dry-aged beef, pressed potato, Wye Valley asparagus. At breakfast, ‘the view over the park – its trees in blossom, the squirrels on the lawns – is delightful’. ‘It was just like a home away from home, only better.’ (FW, Lesley Hutchinson, Alan Bates, Gillian Caldwell). This hotel is a member of Pride of Britain hotels.