Times Travel’s postbag and e-mail inbox are bulging with responses to my column last month (August 6), in which I compared my bad experiences in English B&Bs with the wonderful ones I’d enjoyed in Scottish properties.

Some readers agreed, more disagreed, and I could stay in a different place every night for the rest of the year based on the number of invitations from B&B owners who want to prove me wrong.

Then there’s the view of overseas visitors, who are charmed by the whole B&B concept. Greg Bartsch, from New South Wales, wrote: “We adored the B&Bs, perhaps BECAUSE of all the idiosyncrasies you describe. It was so much a part of the British experience.”

Many readers sent in names of B&Bs they rated highly. Taking their recommendations, we sent out writers to judge if they really were that good. All passed with flying colours.

Recommendations and word of mouth are excellent ways to find these properties. It’s also worth buying a copy of Alastair Sawday’s British Bed & Breakfast (a new edition is out this month), which is what I used when travelling in Scotland.

From next January, standardisation of the B&B grading system between the English, Scottish and Welsh tourist boards and the AA and RAC will make it easier to work out if a property really is good or not.

1. SEA CHANGE, BEMBRIDGE, ISLE OF WIGHT

Reader Riannon Cox, of London, says: “It’s like visiting an old aunt from times gone by. Their attention to detail is a clear sign that they love what they do — the home-cooked breakfast (better than my mother’s) is to die for.”

We say: It’s a rather nondescript 1980s house, but the warm welcome makes up for any design shortfalls. The friendly owners, Richard and Vi Beet (and dog Poppy), will bring a cup of tea to your room on arrival, while you’re checking out the comfortable king-size bed, bathroom smellies and well-thumbed novels (it has a four-diamond rating with the tourist board). Our room looked out over the gravel drive to the front — and the sea is a couple of doors away at the end of the street. So is the Crab and Lobster pub, which perches on the cliff edge and is well worth a visit after stretching your legs on the unspoilt Forelands Beach below. And yes, the breakfast really is that good — poached apricots, butcher’s sausages and tea with mint picked fresh from the garden.

Score: 8 out of 10.

Details: 22 Beachfield Road, Bembridge, Isle of Wight (01983 875558, www.seachangewight.co.uk); from £25pp.

Fiona Sims

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