MY FAVOURITE FOUR
Adam Raphael, editor of The Good Hotel Guide

Tor Cottage, Chillaton, near Lifton, Devon
Run with fine attention to detail by its owner, Maureen Rowlatt, this upmarket B&B is set in wooded grounds in a secluded Devon valley. Wonderful breakfasts.

Details 01822 860248, www.torcottage.co.uk, £140 per room

The Old Rectory, Boscastle, Cornwall
Thomas Hardy immortalised this historic rectory in his novel A Pair of Blue Eyes. But there is nothing old-fashioned about the modern-day comforts offered by its owners, Sally and Chris Searle.

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Details 01840 250225, www.stjuliot.com, from £45pp

Orchard Barn, Bradpole, Dorset
The River Asker runs at the foot of the peaceful garden of Nigel and Margaret Corbett's home on the site of an old Dorset farm. Both are hospitality professionals and it shows.

Details 01308 455655, www.lodgeatorchardbarn.co.uk, £62.50pp, including afternoon tea

Timberstone, Clee Stanton, Shropshire
In the hills above Ludlow, a charming house in a peaceful setting run with genuine warmth by Alex Read and Tracey Baylis. Children and dogs welcome.

Details 01584 823519, www.timberstoneludlow.co.uk, from £87.50 per room, dinner available for £23

MY FAVOURITE FOUR
Alastair Sawday, editor of Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay

Sallowfield Cottage, Wattlefield, Norfolk
Drift (sighing if you like) from house to garden on sunny days, one crammed with prints, pictures and antique furniture, the other with hedged “rooms” and a jungle-like pond. Caroline Musker, the owner, lets you be, unless you prefer a fuss, and she cooks like a dream.

Details 01953 605086, www.sallowfieldcottage.co.uk, £60 per room

The Old Store House, Llanfrynach, Powys
Even on foul days it's lovely here, with so many private places to hide, thousands of books to read and hordes of chatting birds in a garden by a canal. Chocolate in the bedroom, fire in the sitting room, best scrambled eggs, perfect coffee.

Details 01874 665499, www.theoldstorehouse.co.uk, from £35pp

Alstonefield Manor, Alstonefield, Ashbourne, Derbyshire
A soul-soother: painted wooden floors, antique iron beds, vintage linen, candlelit breakfasts, quirky bathrooms and soft tones. Country manor-house chic, with badminton and croquet, too. Home-made scones for tea.

Details 01335 310393, www.alstonefieldmanor.com, from £80 per room

South Hooe Count House, South Hooe Mine, Bere Alston, Devon
Deep-yellow yolked eggs from the chickens, home-made bread, local bacon; all is waiting to be popped in the Rayburn when you wake up. Views over the river are dreamy, hens peck around and Martha the aged donkey may drop by.

Details 01822 840329, www.a1tourism.com/uk/southhoo.html, from £70 per room

MY FAVOURITE FOUR
Mystery Guest - read MG's undercover reviews from across Britain

The Rooms, Lytham, Lancashire
Super-slick new breed of B&B, with flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, digital radios, iPod stations. Breakfast is not far off the best five-star London hotel: superb poached egg on toast, fruit smoothies, fresh coffee and buck's fizz.

Details 01253 736000, www.theroomslytham.com, from £110

Serendipity House, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
I was lucky enough to stay at Serendipity House, in the Bogside. The property is run by a father-son team who have created airy, well-designed room, the best being on the top floor with a great view of the city walls.

Details 0287 1264229, www.serendipityrooms.co.uk, from £60

Augill Castle, near Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
This Victorian folly is all turrets, Gothic windows and a crenellated roof, with four-poster beds, wood panelling and even a four-poster bath. Although the public rooms are magnificent and the 11 bedrooms are beautifully traditional, the owners Simon and Wendy Bennett make you feel very much at home.

Details 01768 341937, www.stayinacastle.com, £80pp in a double or twin room

B&B Belgravia, London SW1
Terrific modern B&B, with wireless internet, cable TV, round-the-clock tea and coffee, and a visually grabbing black-and-white interior design. The owners say they want to “change the way you think about B&Bs”.

Details 020-7259 8570, www.bb-belgravia.com, from £103

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