Tim and Emma Ford ‘set the standard for fine country dining and impeccable hospitality’ at their ‘unpretentious, enchanting’ restaurant-with-rooms, Guide readers agree. Approach the Georgian dower house down narrow country lanes: guests sip aperitifs on the sunny terrace or under the cedar tree on the lawn in good weather, and by the fire in the lounge when temperatures fall. ‘The atmosphere is that of a friendly gathering at a modest, yet refined, country house.’ Warm, ‘tastefully decorated’ bedrooms have ‘all the accessories the modern guest expects’, plus home-made shortbread and a bouquet of garden blooms. ‘Ours had a superabundance of throw cushions, too.’ (One dissenter this year was unhappy about her accommodation, but praised the cooking.) Younger son Olly now joins his father in the kitchen, turning out ‘perfect food’ for contented diners. ‘Everything is presented with finesse. We enjoyed the seared scallop and red mullet starters; roe deer and a stuffed sole paupiette were fabulous.’ In the morning, ‘sublime jams’ are part of a ‘delicious breakfast’. (Alfred Lennon, Francine and Ian Walsh, Suzanne Lyons, Charles Goldie, and others)