Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

It's a wonderful spot by the National Park, just rolling hills and villages, a tractor ploughing the fields, a pheasant ambling down the lane. And it's a lovely feeling to crunch over the gravel to this elegant country house. You get the West Wing: a spacious apartment with large light bedrooms, a private entrance up winding stairs, beautiful big fires, baskets of logs, a window seat over sensational countryside. Find a modern kitchen and sitting room, large tables for dinner or games, super-king beds, a roll top bath... and a barbecue in the walled garden with views over Kilham valley and the Cheviots. And then there's Hugh and Kathryn, happy to cook for parties or advise on routes across countryside and to coast: the Pennine Way, Alnwick Castle, St Cuthbert's Way to Holy Island. Our inspector recommends it wholeheartedly – for walkers, cyclists, romantic relaxers, short breakers, star gazers, kite surfers; in short, for all active types, and for families with one caveat: mind the stairs if you're less mobile.