‘Everything about this small, personal hotel was faultless, from the accommodation, food and helpful staff to the overall atmosphere.’ Readers loved this year’s stay at Kath and Liam Berney’s restaurant-with-rooms on Whinlatter Pass. Surrounded by England’s only true mountain forest, the former coaching inn has views towards Skiddaw and the Northern Fells, close-ups of red squirrels and deer. Light contemporary-style bedrooms range from very snug to the garden room with separate entrance, seating area and wet room. Oak and Ash rooms have a whirlpool bath and a shower. ‘Our room, overlooking the terrace and mountains, was in perfect order, always clean and fresh when we returned in the evening.’ In the dining room with panoramic views and wraparound terrace, chef Ben Wilkinson’s ‘awesome dinners’ include ingredients raised, grown or foraged in Cumbria. For instance, Herdwick hogget loin, spiced carrot, Puy lentils, fried sweetbread, Roscoff onion; hen of the woods, Old Winchester gnocchi, roast butternut squash, tenderstem broccoli, charred hispi. ‘Liam acted as sommelier at night and chef in the morning (great breakfast, by the way).’ ‘Thoroughly recommended.’ (NL, and others)