There’s a palpable air of alarm among some when you mention British B&Bs.
Most of us have experienced the Nora Batty-esque landlady, freezing rooms, pitiful breakfasts in ridiculously narrow time slots and lists of ‘rules’ longer than a Salman Rushdie novel.
Some of these old-school spots, incredibly, remain. But we’ve hit the road to visit some of the country’s top B&Bs, checked Tripadvisor and Google ratings, consulted reviews by the AA and Alastair Sawday’s Special Places To Stay guide, and checked with the Daily Mail’s Inspector.
This is our choice of the cream of the crop.
WEST AND SOUTH-WEST
Chapel House, Cornwall

This handsome Georgian pile near Penzance’s harbour has six rooms and two suites. Breakfast includes bubble and squeak or omelette with tarragon.
Don’t miss: A free ticket to the Penzance Jubilee Pool lido is included in weekend bookings.
Details: From £200, chapelhousepz.co.uk
Woolmarket House, Gloucestershire
Expect claw-foot baths, fireplaces and vaulted ceilings at this 17th-century Chipping Camden townhouse, which has a homely, genteel look. At breakfast you sit around a huge dining table with croissants and smoked salmon.
Don’t miss: Owners Michael and Sarah also run a restaurant serving creamy mussels and suckling pig.
Details: From £235, woolmarkethouse.com
Venton Vean, Cornwall

There’s a pan-global feel to breakfasts at Venton Vean. If a full English doesn’t appeal, opt for a Mexican plate of tortillas with beans, salsa, egg and chipotle or devour an Iberian breakfast of Serrano ham with tomato and eggs
Fresh ground coffee is provided at this rambling Victorian-era home which, decked out in cerulean blue and moody greys, makes a perfect weekend base for the Lizard Peninsula.
Don’t miss: Fantastic replica antler coat hooks in Room Three, originally from The Savoy, London.
Details: From £102, ventonvean.co.uk
Glebe House, Devon

This 15-acre smallholding overlooking the rippling hills of the Coly Valley is great for the South West Coastal Path. Each of the six rooms is different. Expect home-smoked bacon and eggs for breakfast.
Don’t miss: Owners Hugo and Olive can arrange mackerel fishing trips.
Details: From £159, glebehousedevon.co.uk
The Old Forge, Dorset
Sophie and her husband Alex recently took over this charming B&B in Cranborne Chase, run by her parents for 40 years. The two guest rooms still have the old beams, while the Courtyard Room has a comfortable tweed bed.
Don’t miss: Chalking up your cue as the dining table transforms into a pool table.
Details: From £100, minimum two nights, theoldforgedorset.co.uk
SOUTH AND SOUTH-EAST
The Bosham Boathouse, Sussex

Close to the South Downs, The Bosham Boathouse is owned by Hamish and Jane and was last year’s best B&B, awarded by Visit England. All four rooms are demurely decorated. Jane’s excellent breakfasts include eggs from her own hens.
Don’t miss: Come by train or bike for a 10 per cent green discount.
Details: From £135, theboshamboathouse.co.uk
The Beeches Barcombe, East Sussex

This 18th-century country house is set in five acres. There are two bedrooms – the French room is slightly smaller, but exudes more homespun charm. Look out for the antique railway posters collected by owners Kim and Sandy.
Don’t miss: A gardening course taking place in the grounds of nearby Hamey House.
Details: From £160 B&B, thebeechesbarcombe.com
27 Brighton, East Sussex

Five minutes’ walk from the beach, this handsome townhouse has five guest rooms, each paying homage to the Prince Regent (the Royal Pavilion is also close by). Expect polished brass, mahogany and gilt.
Don’t miss: A glass of complimentary sherry.
Details: From £100, 27brighton.com
Bear’s Well, Deal, Kent
This whitewashed Georgian home has a trio of rooms featuring large sash or bay windows, slipper-foot baths, sleigh-beds and plush Osborne & Little curtains. Breakfast includes superb local sausages.
Don’t miss: The immense cherry tree in the garden planted in the 1960s by owner Nichola’s mother.
Details: From £150, bearswell.co.uk
Long Crendon Manor, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire

Mentioned in the Domesday book, Long Crendon Manor – run by Sue and Tim – features leather sofas and gleaming furniture. As you’d expect from a building from 1187, wonky beams and unusual angles abound in the three rooms, which have been styled individually.
Don’t miss: A day trip to Bletchley Park, home to code breakers in the Second World War.
Details: From £165, longcrendonmanor.co.uk
THE NORTH
Stow House, Yorkshire Dales National Park

This former rectory is now a hip hideaway thanks to owners and London escapees Sarah and Phil. The seven rooms have velvet sofas, stripped wood floors and walnut dressing tables. Breakfasts are enormous.
Don’t miss: A stroll to nearby Aysgarth Falls.
Details: From £125, stowhouse.co.uk
Wood House, Buttermere, Cumbria

Set in two acres of woodland, this is a world away from the queues of Windermere. The three rooms all have lake views, while owner Tony cooks up a glorious full English.
Don’t miss: A tinkle on the drawing room piano.
Details: From £155, woodhousebuttermere.uk
The Coal Shed, York

Five minutes from York Minster, this converted 1930s coal store has four rooms, one with a four-poster.
Don’t miss: The antique doors, originally from Rajasthan.
Details: From £150, thecoalshed.uk
Lancaster Barn, Lancashire

In the 19th century this was a pitstop for weary travellers. Now owners Clare and Paul have created a Lancs-meets-Scandi homestead with white oak furniture, wooden floors and sheepskin throws in nine rooms.
Don’t miss: A visit to nearby Garstang, famed for its cheese made by Dewlay’s.
Details: From £135, lancasterbarn.co.uk
EAST ANGLIA
The Mill, Suffolk

There are two rooms, and an adults-only policy, at this sumptuous grade II-listed cottage in Long Melford village. The Melford Room has a brass bathtub and patio, while the Garden Room comes with its own wood burner.
Don’t miss: Reading a poem by the Great War poet Edmund Blunden, who once lived here.
Details: From £139, themill-longmelford.com
The Control Tower, Norfolk

This is on the former RAF North Creake Airfield – the living room was formerly the base’s meteorological office. Owners Claire and Nigel provide vegetarian-only breakfast.
Don’t miss: Checking out the roof deck of the Art Deco building.
Details: From £140, minimum two-night stay, controltowernorfolk.uk
Five Acre Barn, Suffolk

Just outside Aldeburgh, owners Bruce and David have created a sublime five-room barn conversion. It’s picked up architectural awards from RIBA for its striking, angular style.
Don’t miss: A stroll in the five-acre surrounding woodland.
Details: From £130, fiveacrebarn.co.uk
WALES
The Royston, Powys

Expect low-key luxury at this rambling, seven-room pile in the Montgomeryshire hills. Rooms are subtly stylish with splashes of vibrant colour. There’s a help-yourself bar stocked with Welsh gins.
Don’t miss: Superb local birdlife including wood warblers.
Details: From £210, theroystonwales.com
Escape Boutique B&B, North Wales

This Llandudno house really does wow with the different styles of its nine bedrooms – from William Morris-themed Arts and Crafts to Mad Men-accented mid-century modishness.
Don’t miss: Room Six, where you’ll be surrounded by LED wallpaper encrusted with crystals.
Details: From £135, minimum two-night stay, escapebandb.co.uk
The Broadmead Boutique B&B, Tenby, South Wales

It’s a 20-minute walk from this spacious home to the centre of Tenby. Most of the rooms have ‘statement’ wallpapers chosen by owners Gary and Marlene.
Don’t miss: Curling up with a platter of cheeses and cured meats, with prosecco in the evening.
Details: From £157, broadmeadtenby.wales
SCOTLAND
Cuil an Duin, Perthshire

Near the River Tay, Cuil an Duin has 20 acres of grounds, while the three rooms are elegant with Persian rugs and duck egg and cream tones. Smoked haddock and Stornoway black pudding are served for breakfast.
Don’t miss: Red squirrels can be found in the garden.
Details: From £240 B&B, with a minimum two-night stay, cuil-an-duin.com
14 Hart Street, Edinburgh
In Edinburgh’s New Town, James and Angela’s Georgian townhouse has three bedrooms, each with complimentary whisky and shortbread. The decor is urbane with antiques as well as smart slate bathrooms.
Don’t miss: Crombies butchers is close by, suppliers of some of Scotland’s best haggis.
Details: From £130, 14hartstreet.co.uk
Cardross House, Stirlingshire

This country house is built around a 16th-century tower, set in a 4,000-acre estate near Loch Lomond. Sir Archie and Lady Orr Ewing are your hosts. Rooms are soothing and traditional.
Don’t miss: The beautiful drawing room ceiling.
Details: From £160 B&B, cardrossestate.com/cardross-house
The Granary Lodge, Thurso, Highlands

On the far north coast, The Granary was opened in 2019 by the then Prince Charles; its lodge dates back to the 17th century. Its ten rooms are bedecked with watercolours and china antiques.
Don’t miss: It’s a 25-minute drive to Dunnet Head, the mainland’s most northerly point.
Details: From £272, castleofmey.org.uk/hospitality/granary
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