Ten UK hotels for outdoor pursuits

Overlooking the River Hodder in the Forest of Bowland, this sprawling 18th-century manor house is joyously traditional, with stone-flagged floors, open fires and bags of atmosphere.

If you want a hotel with hi-tech wizardry and hot tubs, this place is not for you, but ‘if you are happy with traditional hospitality’ and ‘like to be cosseted, Howtown Hotel will do nicely’.

Set back from the road in its own mature grounds, Sonia and William Marshall’s Victorian house stands on the edge of a swathe of the ancient Scots pine woodland, haunt of the capercaillie, that surrounds Grantown.

With walks from the doorstep, views of Peak District hills, a peaceful garden, breakfast feasts and restful bedrooms, it’s no surprise that Underleigh wins so much praise.

Glenfinnan House Hotel has closed until further notice.

‘An enchanting destination’ is how readers describe Olga Polizzi's Regency hunting lodge, which stands by the River Tamar in an Elysian landscape designed by Humphry Repton.

Welcome to cloud nine, an adults-only hotel floating above Carbis Bay, where you can sit over a cream tea on a decked terrace, away from the bustle of hip, arty St Ives.