Jeake’s House

There’s charm a-plenty at Jenny Hadfield’s B&B on cobbled Mermaid Street, its interior a characterful mix of low beams, blazing fires, dark panelling, labyrinthine passages and steep stairs. In a former Cinque Ports town rich in literary associations, the 17th-century wool store was from 1924 the ‘deeply cherished home’ of American writer Conrad Aiken. With the adjoining men’s club and the Elders House, it has been restored by the ‘very nice’ owner. Bedrooms, all with fluffy towels, dressing gowns and a hospitality tray, are named after distinguished visitors; the best have a king-size four-poster bed and sitting area. (Some guests have wished for more storage space.) There is an atmospheric bar (just jot down what you drink), a parlour equipped with board games, and a ‘very special’ piano (‘we are always pleased to hear people playing it,’ the owner says). At a ‘splendid’ breakfast in a grand galleried room (‘discreet’ background music is played), help yourself to the buffet on the sideboard; Richard Martin cooks local sausages, Rye rarebit, scrambled eggs sprinkled with chives from the garden. (PM, and others)