Your Favourite B&Bs

The new wave of British guesthouses was identified - and below are 25 places that you are highly recommended.

South-east

Barons Grange, East Sussex

Stay here or in the centre of Rye? No contest! A wonderful old house, lovely, bright bedrooms and a garden to die for. After the homemade biscuits in the room, you know the breakfast next day will match the accommodation.

Joy and James Ramus, Barons Grange, Readers Lane, Iden. £25-£30pppn.

Conquerors B&B, East Sussex

Relax in the comfortable elegance of large bedrooms with discreet adaptations in this Grade II single-storey building. Breakfast in the airy dining room overlooking the accessible garden. Discover the splendours of the south coast.

Kate and Terry Short, Conquerors B&B, Cowbeech Hill, Herstmonceux. £50-£75 pppn.

Worples Field, Kent

This warm family home with its stunning rural views is a perfect base for lovers of historic houses and gardens. Sue Marr's enthusiastic welcome, fresh flowers in the bright but restful bedrooms and delicious home-made jams are just some of the treats in store.

Sue Marr, Worples Field B&B, Farley Common, Westerham. £50pr pn (per room, per night). Non-smoking.

Moortown Cottage, Isle of Wight

Quiet, private annex to a thatched cottage on the spectacular south-west coast of the Isle of Wight. Four-poster bed plus your own sitting room with fridge, microwave and TV. Special touches include complimentary chocolates and fresh fruit salad for breakfast.

Denise Kaill, Moortown Cottage, Moortown Lane, Brighstone, Newport. £23-£28pppn.

The Town House, Bath

The Bath Town House is centrally located in a beautiful tenement, giving the romantic feel of the times of Jane Austen. It is decorated with deep, comforting colours and furnished with a sense of luxury. The owners are wonderfully welcoming, serving up a gourmet breakfast. A perfect stay.

Alan and Brenda Willey, The Town House, 7 Bennett Street. £78-£90pr pn.

Sampford Manor, Devon

A sense of history and quiet seclusion in the depths of Dartmoor. Dating back to before the Domesday book, Sampford Manor at Sampford Spiney has thick granite walls and slate floors. Situated right next to a church and graveyard, it's perfect for misty, wintry evenings.

Rosalind Spedding, Sampford Manor, Sampford Spiney, Yelverton. £24-£44pppn.

The Old Forge, Devon

Near the bottom of Totnes high street with its many individual shops, The Old Forge is warm and welcoming. Comfortable and prettily decorated rooms and an excellent breakfast. Conservatory for bar drinks holds a hot-tub sensitively surrounded by climbing plants!

Christine Hillier and David Miller, The Old Forge, Seymour Place, Totnes. £56-£76prpn.

Grey Cottage, Devon

Brilliant fresh produce at breakfast; great choice; fantastic hospitality; lovely, comfy ensuite rooms; wonderful Georgian cottage; lovely setting/garden approximately one mile from picturesque village; dinner also available (superb).

Julia Waghorn, Grey Cottage, Lee, Ilfracombe. £26-£30pppn.

The Georgian Guesthouse, Suffolk

Luxurious suite bedrooms, even equipped with a DVD player! Imaginative and appetizing breakfasts provide a cornucopia of fresh and beautifully cooked food. Relaxing library, licensed lounge with bar meals obligingly produced, and a garden hot-tub! Friendly, solicitous attention from the owners. Great for Snape and the Aldeburgh Festival.

Claire Hutchinson, The Georgian Guesthouse, 6 North Entrance, Saxmundham. £65-85pppn.

Grove Farm, Norfolk

Arriving at the 17th-century home of Clare Wilson, I felt I had come to stay with a friend. Clare shares her beautiful rooms, delightful garden, delicious cooking and her time with energetic and natural charm, while her family and friendly dog come and go as they please.

Clare Wilson, Grove Farm, Back Lane, Roughton. £40pppn.

Old Vicarage, Yorkshire

Beautiful Georgian house in the centre of Easingwold. All rooms are suites with nice touches like magazines by the bed. Gorgeous breakfast - a huge buffet plus anything you want from full English. John and Christine welcome you as friends staying overnight.

Christine and John Kirman, The Old Vicarage, Market Place, Easingwold. £60prpn.

Knabbs Ash, Yorkshire

Soft white bathrobes/slippers, crisp blue tablecloths, scrumptious breakfasts using freshly collected free-range eggs and delicious preserves. Home baking before the fire. Discover freedom, relaxation and superb walks. Knabbs Ash is in blissful contrast to the pace and pressures of everyday life.

Sheila and Colin Smith, Knabbs Ash, Skipton Road, Felliscliffe, Harrogate. £30pppn.

Prudom Guest House, Yorkshire

Gertrude Jekyll meets Le Corbusier in this stunning house with roots dating back to 1150. The present 1750 dwelling is a delightful mix of old-fashioned charm, stylish contemporary design and luxury fittings. A warm welcome, and the glorious North York Moors beckon.

Jenny and Jules Looker, Prudom Guest House, Goathland. £35pppn.

Raise View, Cumbria

Raise View is cosy and welcoming, and the views of the fells and farmland are sublime - what an inspiration on waking each day. The freshly prepared food was so good: the breakfast a feast, changing each day. Just a five-minute stroll to the village. A perfect haven. Exceptional.

John and Karen Greaves, Raise View, Grasmere, White Bridge. £30-£37.50pppn.

The Byre, Northumberland

Nestling in the Northumberland National Park; ideally located to explore the dramatic countryside, historic towns of Rothbury and Alnwick, and the stunning beaches from Alnmouth to Bamburgh. The Byre offers delicious Malaysian vegetarian food, warm hospitality and leaves you planning your return asap.

Rosemary & Srini Srinivasan, The Byre, Harbottle. £28pppn.

Hethpool House, Northumberland

Hethpool House lies on St Cuthbert's Way in the beautiful College valley, close to the Scottish border. This genuine Edwardian country house offers large bedrooms, good food, magnificent original plumbing and charming hosts. Bed and breakfast is also available for horses.

Eildon Letts, Hethpool House, Kirknewton. £30pppn.

Hedley Hall, Newcastle

For a delightful, friendly welcome and superb food, we recommend Hedley Hall, close to Beamish, in Northumberland. Small and warm, this offers a peaceful retreat close to Newcastle and Durham.

Mrs Brenda Fraser, Hedley Hall, nr Sunniside. £65prpn.

Wales

Llannerch Goch, Conwy

A comfortable B&B situated high above Betws-y-coed in the village of Capel Garman. A warm welcome and good food await you, and with superb views of the Snowdonia mountain range, a relaxing stay is assured.

Mrs Eirian Ifan, Llannerch Goch, Capel Garmon, Betws-y-Coed. £27pppn.

Brodawel, Gwynedd

Edwardian house overlooking Cardigan Bay one mile from Aberdovey. Large bedrooms - all ensuite - exceptionally well appointed, including binoculars for observing wildlife. Comprehensive breakfast with house specialty of smoked salmon with scrambled eggs. Warm welcome from proprietress, including pot of tea on arrival.

Pat and John Griffiths, Brodawel, Aberdovey. £28-31pppn.

Castle House, Powys

Castle House is in a central yet peaceful location in the Brecons. Paul and Diana are friendly and helpful hosts. Very comfortable bed in suite room, decorated and furnished in good taste. Try the "dragon sausages" for breakfast! They also cater for special dietary requirements.

Paul and Diana Clark, Castle House, Postern. £53prpn.

Dolffanog Fawr, Gwynedd

Alex and Lorraine have created a warm and restful atmosphere in their lovely old farmhouse in the shadow of Cadair Idris. Wonderful food, eaten at a large refectory table where conversation abounds. Bedrooms are comfortable with stunning views.

Lorraine Hinkins and Alex Yorke, Dolffanog Fawr, Tal-y-llyn, Tywyn. £30pppn.

Scotland

The Marks, Dumfries & Galloway

A place I would recommend to all my friends! Nothing is too much trouble for Chris and Sheila, who offer accommodation for you and your horse, alongside the working farm - home to sheep, cattle and WORMS (for fishing and composting)! Beautifully coordinated bedrooms are available with ample supplies of towels, robes and hot water. Food superb!

Sheila Watson and Chris Caygill, The Marks, Kirkcudbright. £25pppn.

Craiglemine Cottage, Dumfries & Galloway

Warm welcome from Mike and Helen Alexander, spacious lounge, gluten-free vegetarian dinner, comfortable twin room with radio and tea/ coffee. Full Scottish breakfast. Close to Wigtown, Scotland's Book Town, and St Ninian's Priory.

Mike and Helen Alexander, Craiglemine Cottage,Glasserton, Nr Whithorn. £22-£25pppn.

Heathbank, Inverness-shire

Catriona and Keith's Victorian home has beautifully designed bedrooms - ours had a tasteful red and grey colour scheme. But most enthralling is the Charles Rennie Mackintosh-inspired dining room. Sitting in impossibly tall black chairs, eating a delicious breakfast, is an absolute joy.

Keith and Catriona Webster, Heathbank, Drumuillie Road, Boat of Garten. £30pppn.