‘Our go-to hotel', write readers of the Reynolds family's small Georgian-cum-Victorian country house. ‘Every visit has been excellent.’ Built by the influential Ingilby family of Ripley Castle, it is commodious, welcoming, ‘a place where nothing goes wrong, with friendly staff and good food'. Bedrooms are traditionally styled, from doubles to suites, all supplied with fresh fruit, homemade biscuits, Molton Brown toiletries ‘Their new attic suite was magnificent, with a separate lounge. The bed was big and comfy, the setting peaceful… views spectacular.’ In the dining room, short menus of locally sourced produce feature dishes such as sirloin and cheek of salt-aged beef, green tomato, kohlrabi, pickled mustard. The nouvelle style and penchant for pickles did not please one trusted reader, though he allows that ‘the food is actually very good’. ‘Not huge portions', say others, ‘which is our preference, but wonderful ingredients cooked to perfection and often things we never tried before.’ For others yet, ‘The tasting menu was superb.’ There is a good choice of breakfast dishes, and you can order a picnic for a day walking the Dales; the hotel is at the foot of Ingleborough, with walks from the door. (Bill Wood, Cilla Parlett, Liz Phillips)