‘Wonderful. Ten out of ten,’ writes a delighted reader in 2018, of this Victorian retreat and one-time lodgings for circuit judges on the edge of the North Yorkshire moors. Today it is run by Tim Howard for the Downs family owners as an upmarket hotel, with close care for guests’ comfort. Light meals and afternoon tea are served in a lounge sporting gilt-framed paintings, antiques and comfy sofas, warmed by an open fire. ‘Everything good fun and lovely style,’ approves one reader this year. ‘Attentive staff,’ adds another. ‘The service was exceptional.’ ‘Spacious, luxurious’ bedrooms are individually styled, some with a four-poster bed, some with whirlpool bath, all with good fabrics, complimentary sherry, a teddy bear. ‘Our room had wonderful views of the beautiful gardens. There was everything you could want, even a television in the bathroom.’ Scott Papprill’s ‘superb’ cooking includes such inventive dishes as fillet of wild turbot with vanilla and pancetta butter sauce. A turn-down service, overnight shoeshine and a wake-up call with fresh coffee show attention to detail. (Rosalind and John Coulby, David Dale)