Scarista House

The long drive is worth it to this edge-of-the-world location, where a Georgian manse, with pretty, traditional rooms and superb food, overlooks a long sandy beach. Patricia Martin, co-owner with husband Tim, makes practically everything from scratch – from bread and cakes to pasta and ice cream – and greets guests with afternoon tea before they go for a walk (beach or hills) to work up an appetite for the nightly changing set dinner. 'We ate so well,' wrote guests. 'Gathering in the cosy sitting room before dinner with drinks and nibbles gave us a chance to compare notes with other guests and created a wonderful ambience.' Dishes could include langoustines with garlic and herb butter followed by chocolate cremeux. There’s a pretty blue dining room, a garden room for summer eating, and two sitting rooms with squashy sofas and fires. Bedrooms (three in outbuildings) have a no-nonsense traditional style with patterned wallpapers, solid wood furniture and pretty china. All have views of garden, beach or hills; two have sitting areas with sofa and wrap-around windows facing the sea. Sleep to the sound of the sea and awake to a generous breakfast. (Katherine Putnam)