When Jamie and Jenna Shail bought this Regency black-and-white manor house in 2016, they set out to make it as beautiful as the Lakeland surroundings – and our readers think they've succeeded. The style is contemporary country house with a hint of a private member’s club: log fires, parquet flooring, a relaxed vibe. 'The entire hotel was warm and welcoming, the staff outstanding,' reported one reader who checked into Tom Gill. It was 'very spacious with a huge balcony, a walk in shower and deep bath but zero wi-fi signal'. Superior rooms look out to the fells from their balconies while the least-expensive room, dog-friendly ground-floor Kirkstone, has a private terrace. Among the eight suites in the sympathetically designed Pavilion, some have a private courtyard garden, one is fully accessible, another comes with private garden and hot tub. Thoughtful touches include a mini-fridge, coffee maker and Bath House toiletries. Among the 'delicious and beautifully presented' dishes served in the restaurant are pea and marjoram risotto, day boat fish or a beef sharing board. There is an all-day menu for more casual dining. Fuel up with the full Cumbrian breakfast for a walk to High Sweden Bridge. (John Souther, S and P Glover)