WINNING TIP: The Place to Stay, Frome, Somerset
Five rooms imaginatively converted from outbuildings sit around a pretty courtyard garden. Breakfasts using local produce are served in the farmhouse. The owner is a massage therapist, so you can have a treatment in the privacy of your room. They will also sprinkle rose petals in the bath. With fluffy bathrobes, tasteful decor and four-poster beds, this is the closest to five-star hotel service you'll find in a B&B.
01373 836266, theplacetostayuk.com; doubles from £85
Bowbank
Stirling
Airlie House, Strathyre
Before she bought Airlie House, owner Jacquie spent years travelling on business and finding out what works. So the mirrors are the right height for women and there are wine glasses to borrow in the sitting room. What really makes it unusual is that one room is wheelchair-accessible but still as stylish as the others, and you can bring your dog. The house is immaculate, the breakfast is large and the beautiful Trossachs are right on the doorstep.
01877 384247, airliehouse.co.uk; doubles from £60
Cooperteacher
Perthshire
Ewich House, Strathfillan
Owners Deb and Ian should offer courses on how to run a successful B&B. Their attention to detail is second to none, with carefully sourced organic products from soap to delicious breakfasts. We were made to feel extremely welcome, with a roaring fire on arrival, and a stylish and comfortable room. The location is stunning and an ideal stop-off for trips to the west Highlands. We have stayed in many B&Bs and hotels, and this is certainly one of the very best.
01838 300300, ewich.co.uk; doubles from £70
MellyMel66
Argyll
Strumhor, Connel, Oban
Tony and Olga really make guests feel at home at Strumhor, just outside Oban. As well as the huge breakfasts, guests can also arrange to have dinner in the house. You can sit in the conservatory just watching the Falls of Lora below or, if you're feeling energetic, Tony can take you out canoeing. When we were sitting in front of their open fire after our day out exploring, he said, "On Monday you'll be at work and I'll still be here." Lucky him.
01631 710167, strumhor.co.uk, doubles from £56
Cooperteacher
Northumberland
Clovelly House, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Clean, welcoming, comfortable and excellent value, this place is close to The Maltings theatre and cinema. Breakfast is huge, with so many choices you could have something different every day of a week-long stay or be spoilt for choice if popping in overnight on the way up to Scotland or down south. There are also plenty of places to eat in the evenings, and the pub at the end of the road has real ale and music. The art gallery is about a 15-minute walk. Good beaches.
01289 302337, clovelly53.freeserve.co.uk,
doubles from £70
DougtheDog
Shieldhall, Wallington
This was Capability Brown's family home (he's buried in the nearby church). Comfortable bedrooms named after the wood used in them have ample bathrooms. There's a sitting room and library, and excellent breakfasts and (optional) dinners incorporating local, often organic, ingredients are eaten at antique tables among antiques. Shieldhall is within reach of Alnwick and Bamburgh castles, Lindisfarne and Hadrian's Wall.
01830 540387, shieldhallguesthouse.co.uk; doubles from £80
Malcolmlevitt
Birdsong Cottage, Alnwick
A one-bedroom B&B at Brownieside, near Alnwick, with a large comfortable bed, a whirlpool bath, great breakfasts and hosts who go that extra mile. Who else would allow you to borrow their satnav to help you find the isolated inn you have chosen for supper?
01665 579362, birdsongcottage.co.uk, doubles from £69
Iatesnyder
Shropshire
The White Cottage, Bishop's Castle
The White Cottage's stone barn, The Bothy, is the perfect romantic hideaway for two. On a hillside overlooking rolling country, it is small but perfectly formed. Every detail is taken care of: from underfloor heating to an enormous bed. There's plenty to see and do nearby, but that's not the point. From the moment you arrive, you'll sink into the place, drink in the details with a glass of red wine, shut the curtains and curl up together in a unique space just for two.
01588 630330, thewhitecottageacton.co.uk; doubles £80
Thruflo
Gloucestershire
Pigeon House Cottage, Southam
We've never received a warmer B&B welcome than here in the Cotswolds. Set in a lovely garden, this cottage is in a cluster of medieval and Norman buildings. Staying here you could be an extra in Midsomer Murders, though we were charmed rather than terrified by the cosy rooms, comfy bed and organic breakfast. Our host went way beyond the call of duty, ferrying us to and from the local, award-winning pub.
01242 584255, pigeonhousecottage.co.uk; doubles £70
FamilyFulton
Norfolk
Primrose Farm, Witton Bridge, North Walsham
A blue room and a yellow room, both in delicate pastel shades with frilly lace soft furnishings. I think of the Yorkie bar advert, but with a twist – this is not for men! The exotic cats further emphasise how pampered guests are. Primrose Farm's neat and mature one-acre garden invites a wander among the shrubs and trees of this former farmhouse just two miles from the coast at Walcott and five miles from Happisburgh. The barn and stable have been converted into two guest rooms, a double and a twin. Both rooms use the interconnecting shower room and the sitting/dining room with books and a TV. There's also a patio with solid wood chairs and table for toast and jam in the morning sun.
01692 650809, primrosefarm.co.uk, doubles from £64
SuffolkP
Cambridgeshire
Trinity Hall, Fordham
This fabulous B&B near Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire has a huge, immaculately decorated bedroom with 12ft ceiling, sofa and king-size bed. The extra-large bathroom overlooking the garden has a walk-in shower, a large, freestanding bath, a plethora of towels and quality toiletries. Breakfast in the grand dining room uses eggs from the hens in the garden. A superb restaurant (The White Pheasant) is a short walk away.
01638 720709, trinfast.co.uk, doubles from £70
Kenlaidbackman
Dorset
Harmshay Farm, Marshwood, Bridport
Harmshay Farm is a gorgeous B&B not far from Axminster and Lyme Regis. Positioned on a beautiful working farm, it has cosy beamed bedrooms, a very warm welcome and a fantastic breakfast come morning.
01297 678562, harmshayfarm.co.uk, doubles from £65
Lizzals
Devon
Lower Hookner Barn, North Bovey
Nestled in the heart of Dartmoor in perfect walking countryside, this converted barn is an idyllic place to stay. From the decorative bantams scratching outside to Jenny's delicious breakfasts, the whole place is charming. The double-height guest sitting room with woodburning stove is particularly lovely. Gorge yourself in the evening at the Ring of Bells in nearby North Bovey and stagger the two miles home along a dramatic deserted bridleway.
01647 221282, lowerhookner.co.uk, doubles from £66
Rach222
Conwy
Gwern Borter Country Manor, Rowan
It's tricky to find the lovely lodge of Gwern Borter, but well worth it. Three miles from Conwy, it is near Snowdonia, yet secret and secluded enough to really feel away from the rat race. A highlight after breakfast is to feed the farm animals. There are also horses and ponies if you feel energetic. But after a busy week, I find it is enough for me to unwind on a lovely woodland walk ending up at The Groes Inn, in time for lunch and local ale.
01492 650360, conwy-countryhouse.co.uk, doubles from £65
TheRookery
Gwynedd
Ty Mawr, Rhyd Ddu, Snowdonia
I doubt anyone could recommend a better B&B in Snowdonia. Emma and Menno are welcoming hosts, the rooms are spotless and comfortable, and breakfast is delicious. Dutch pancakes from Menno's homeland are a particular treat. There isn't a lounge, but you can relax in their cosy tea room in the evenings. Out of season they provide evening meals, or it's a few steps to the pub. Ty Mawr is ideally situated for walks, and the Welsh Highland Railway station is across the road.
01766 890837, snowdonaccommodation.co.uk; doubles from £50
JanCov
Torfaen
Ty Shon Jacob Farm, Tranch, Pontypool
I had gone through almost the full list of B&Bs on the Brecon Beacons National Park website and none of them had a room for two nights. Finally I decided to call Ty Shon Jacob Farm. I called them last because their website looked a bit rough and ready. When Agneta Harris, the owner, said on the phone that it would cost us just £25 a night, I was convinced it was only a matter of time before we discovered the catch. As we went higher and higher up a hill after turning off the highway in Pontypool, I began to wonder if it existed at all. But finally we saw a cheerful sign on the top of the hill to Ty Shon Jacob Farm. Energetic Agneta showed us to our wonderful room with a large luxurious bathroom. In the morning we got an excellent breakfast and Ty Shon Jacob Farm turned out to be a superb find. Highly recommend it for a weekend of writing, reading or rambling through the Brecon Beacons.
01495 757536, a1tourism.com/uk/tyshon.html, doubles from £50
Alaphia
