Starborough Manor

‘Brilliantly placed’ for exploiting a wealth of Kentish history, this 18th-century house was restored by the Mathiases and transformed into a ‘comfortable home’ and ‘informal’ B&B, where ‘friendly, chatty’ Lynn Mathias welcomes visitors with tea and a baked treat fresh from her Aga. ‘Immaculate, tastefully decorated’ guest quarters occupy former servants’ rooms with a separate side entrance. Bedrooms have a comfortable super-king-size bed, a ‘comprehensive’ tea tray; ‘fluffy towels and quality toiletries’ in the well-equipped bathroom. Two-bedroom Blue Room is a spacious family suite. Keep children entertained with games, toys and a train set in the first-floor TV room; nose through DVDs, videos, heaps of books. A second sitting room acts as a study. The ‘generous’ breakfast is taken communally in the ‘spectacular’ kitchen, or a walled courtyard in clement weather: sample varied yogurts, home-made granola, baked plums in cinnamon; blueberry pancakes with maple syrup. Bring your tennis kit for a match on the court; in summer months, cool off in the outdoor pool.