From this hillside position above the town, take in the ‘glorious vista’ that stretches over the oyster beds and out to sea, with the Isle of Sheppey beyond.

Mary-Lou Sturridge and Tony Mackintosh (late of London’s Groucho Club) have turned a once-derelict B&B into a ‘laid-back but sophisticated’ restaurant-with-rooms within sound of the waves.

Under the shade of a leafy horse chestnut tree stands this pretty, thatch-roofed country inn.

On the scenic Antrim Coast Road, this ‘excellently located’ hotel, in a 17th-century castle, is set in ‘well-kept grounds’ overlooking the beach.

Pigs, lambs and chickens are the nearest neighbours at Nichola and Graham Hawkins’s B&B on a small working farm between Totnes and Dartmouth.

‘Generous hosts’ Moyra and Rod Davidson ‘warmly welcome’ guests to their ‘relaxing’ Georgian B&B, in lawns and wooded grounds close to the coast.

‘A perfect little dog-friendly hotel.’ Imogene and Robert Anglaret ensure that travelling pets and their human companions are well taken care of at their country hotel in the New Forest.