Bed and Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year
This award covers all areas of Bed & Breakfasts including farmhouses, inns and guesthouses. The award winner will offer a high standard of accommodation and customer care in a homely and friendly atmosphere.
Winner
Augill Castle
South Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
Augill Castle is not a hotel, but a family home and country house, which welcomes guests and offers extraordinary accommodation.
What not to miss: Visit the nearby, and often over looked Eden Valley for spectacular unspoilt beauty. www.augillcastle.co.uk
National finalists
Byfords Café, Deli & Posh B&B
1-3 Shirehall Plain, Holt, North Norfolk
This elegant Grade II listed building dates from the 17th century and was formerly a hardware store and ironmonger’s, which was owned by the Byford family for over 100 years.
What not to miss: The bedrooms feature local, natural materials such as flint, exposed brickwork, oak floorboards and slate while the walls are decorated with dramatic photography of the beautiful North Norfolk landscape. www.byfords.org.uk
The Stables Lodge
South Farm, Lamesley, Tyne & Wear
The Stables Lodge is an award-winning, three bedroom, luxury B&B guesthouse situated in a semi-rural setting off the A1 within easy access to both Newcastle and Gateshead, the Metro Centre shopping complex and the Angel of the North statue.
What not to miss: Ask for the Red Room, which offers a spa bath, steam cabinet and sauna. www.thestableslodge.co.uk
Regional winners
Colton House
Colton, Rugeley, Staffs
Colton House is a magnificent Grade II listed Queen Anne residence set in a picturesque village on the edge of Cannock Chase. It is also on the doorstep to Drayton Manor Theme Park and the historic city of Lichfield.
What not to miss: Enjoy delicious food, fluffy towels, power showers and Ron and Gay's dedication to ensuring you have an enjoyable stay at the only 5 Star Gold Award home in Staffordshire. www.coltonhouse.com
Chaplin House B&B
92 High Street, Martin, Lincolnshire
Chaplin House was built in 1797 as an alehouse. The four star property can accommodate nine people in four rooms with emphasis firmly on pampering. Each room has fresh flowers, chocolate biscuits, mints, fair-trade tea, coffee, hot chocolate sachets and fresh milk.
What not to miss: Guests can book delicious evening meals on request, such as carpaccio of sea bream. www.chaplin-house.co.uk
Spears Cross
West Street, Dunster, Exmoor National Park
Spears Cross is ideally situated for walking, cycling, golf, the West Somerset Steam Train or simply soaking up the idyllic countryside.
What not to miss: Breakfast - locally produced with sausages and bacon made from pigs bred four miles away, and hand made jams using Exmoor or West Country fruit and the best bread-made flour purchased from the 17th Century working water mill in Dunster. www.spearscross.co.uk
The Gardeners Rest
Queensdown Road, Kingsdown, Deal, Kent
The Gardeners Rest is a luxury, five star rated property set amid an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with spectacular views of a one-acre garden, the English Channel, Walmer and Kingsdown Golf Course and open countryside.
What not to miss: The jungle-like garden is a blaze of flowering plants and shrubs, gathered from around the world. September and October are the best months to see it. www.gardenersrest.me.uk
Lowe Penhowe
Burythorpe, Malton, North Yorkshire
‘Lowe Penhowe’ is old Yorkshire dialect for ‘the sheep pen on a hill’. Today, the house is an elegant traditional Yorkshire stone-built farmhouse with stunning views overlooking the Howardian Hills, Yorkshire Wolds and across to the North Yorkshire Moors.
What not to miss: The house is the perfect location from which to venture into the historically beautiful City of York. www.bedandbreakfastyorkshire.co.uk
The Sumner
54 Upper Berkeley Street, London
Located within strolling distance of London’s Oxford Street shops, tranquil Hyde Park and the lively West End, The Sumner is situated in the heart of the capital. The 20-room property prides itself on offering an intimate atmosphere to guests within elegant, Georgian surroundings.
What not to miss: When you arrive be sure to grab a guide from the library, order a drink and relax by the fire place whilst you plan the next day. www.thesumner.com
