On a country lane outside Richmond, this stone-built Georgian house is surrounded by acres of gardens, including a woodland walk, an orchard, a breezy paddock and the tranquil ruins of Easby Abbey. The B&B accommodation is sumptuously decorated. Breakfast, served at a time to suit the guest, has home-made compotes and preserves of garden fruit; local bacon; eggs from resident hens.

Time stands still at this handsome Victorian Gothic-style mansion surrounded by extensive, well-kept grounds and woodland. It is filled with rich wood panelling, beautiful paintings, antiques and ornate stained glass windows, and run by ‘such polite, consistently friendly, obliging’ staff’. On comfy sofas by roaring log fires, dreams of a bygone age are conjured by the galleried baronial hall. Dinner is an elegant affair in the candle-lit restaurant. Mount the grand staircase to spacious, traditionally furnished bedrooms, equipped with a refreshment tray, dressing gowns and luxury toiletries. Wake to a sumptuous cooked-to-order breakfast.

This former Georgian coaching inn in Yorkshire’s ‘food capital’ has a winning combination of cool style, informal atmosphere and robust food.