Gravetye Manor

At the end of its mile-long drive, this Elizabethan manor house with glorious gardens and superb dining is, for many guests, the ultimate country house hotel. ‘Comfortable, beautiful, friendly and great food,’ said one reader. Everything about it is grand and traditional, from its gables and mullioned windows to the wood-panelling, carved ceilings, plush sofas and roaring fires inside. And masses of flowers – William Robinson’s Victorian gardens are famed for their visionary, natural approach. Enjoy breathtaking views of them in the restyled dining room with its walls of glass. The ‘exceptional’ Michelin-starred food – with produce from the garden – includes dishes such as quail with quince and pear, and Newhaven brill with butternut squash and wild mushrooms. There are more garden views from the ‘beautiful bedrooms’, ‘old, but with everything we needed’. Expect pretty fabrics and upholstered armchairs; some have wood-panelling or a four-poster. Staff are praised for their ‘outstanding and memorable’ service. A Relais & Châteaux hotel. (Frances Thomas, Yvette Peart, Roderic Rennison)