‘It’s the little touches’ that make the Downs family’s Victorian country house a ‘lovely, charming place’, confirm Guide readers in 2017. ‘And the staff are exceptional – friendly from our first contact, by telephone from Sydney, and relaxed and professional throughout our stay. On a return visit, we were pleased to be welcomed by name by several staff members.’ Standing in ‘fine grounds’ on the edge of the North Yorkshire moors, the hotel has ‘gorgeous bedrooms’ (traditionally styled with swagged curtains, wingback chairs, perhaps a generous spread of toile de Jouy) stocked with treats. ‘We appreciated the free sherry and fruit in our large, comfortable rooms, as well as the jug of fresh milk for morning tea.’ In the evening, sit by the fire in the lounge for drinks and ‘delicious canapés’, then sample an ‘excellent’ nightly-changing menu that might include king scallops, Yorkshire chorizo, pickled leek salad; locally farmed beef fillet, Wye valley asparagus, poached quail’s egg. A ‘good breakfast’ has kippers and smoked haddock, plus a classic bacon and eggs. (Christopher and Veronica Clair, Mr and Mrs Wright, and others). Judges is also a member of Pride of Britain hotels,