They’re the creme de la creme of Britain’s B&Bs.
These retreats have been named the nation’s ‘ultimate’ B&Bs in the AA’s annual B&B awards, now in its 27th year. Individuality, the standard of housekeeping and the ‘all-important’ breakfast offering were some of the deciding factors in crowning the winners, the AA reveals.
Commenting on the eight award-winning B&Bs, which have scooped titles across a range of categories, Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Hotel & Hospitality Services, said: ‘This year we’ve seen an extraordinary level of individuality, which is demonstrated by our winners’ inherent essence of charm and character. With so many brilliant B&Bs to choose from, holidaymakers can explore Britain safe in the knowledge there will be a comfortable haven to rest their heads and satisfy their tastebuds wherever they decide to go.’ Scroll down to see the victors…
AA GUEST ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
ENGLAND: Market Cross Guest House – Belford, Northumberland
Guests of Market Cross Guest House in Northumberland enjoy ‘beautiful, well-appointed rooms’ and a large garden ‘in which to enjoy the evening sun’
The AA says that you can ‘expect the highest quality of accommodation’ at Northumberland’s Market Cross Guest House, a B&B that boasts ‘beautiful, well-appointed rooms with large-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, White Company toiletries and so much more’.
It continues: ‘Excellent locally sourced ingredients, as well as homemade bread and preserves, are just part of our breakfast.’
Another plus point? There’s a large garden ‘in which to enjoy the evening sun’, the AA adds.
SCOTLAND: The Crusoe – Lower Largo, Fife
The beach and sea ‘come right up’ to The Crusoe, which overlooks the harbour in the Scottish village of Lower Largo. The AA praises the locally-sourced food that’s served in its bar and restaurant
The Crusoe, originally built in 1824, overlooks the harbour in the Scottish village of Lower Largo, which is the birthplace of Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk, who is thought to be the inspiration for the fictional character of Robinson Crusoe, the AA reveals.
It adds: ‘The beach and sea come right up to certain bedrooms which are all extremely well appointed with many luxurious extras provided as standard.’
Foodies are in for a treat, too. The AA praises the locally-sourced food that’s served in the bar and restaurant, saying it’s ‘cooked with care, thought and imagination’.
WALES: Parc-Le-Breos House – Parkmill, Gower
What can you expect from a stay at Parc-le-Breos in Wales? The AA describes it as ‘beautifully furnished’, adding: ‘You will find fresh flowers, pitch pine floors, crackling log fires and a distinctly laid-back style’
The AA describes Wales’ Parc-le-Breos as a ‘beautifully appointed Victorian hunting lodge with extensive gardens’ and points out that it lies only 20 minutes’ walk from Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula.
‘It is beautifully furnished – you will find fresh flowers, pitch pine floors, crackling log fires and a distinctly laid-back style – a real home from home,’ it adds.
How should you spend your time there? The AA recommends tucking into meals made using ingredients from the kitchen garden and orchard or relaxing on the terrace with a ‘sumptuous’ high tea.
AA INN OF THE YEAR
The Punch Bowl Inn – Crosthwaite, Cumbria
The AA heaps praise on Punch Bowl Inn’s ‘sumptuous’ bedrooms and ‘elegant’ restaurant
You can expect a ‘warm welcome and professional service’ when you check into the ‘historic’ Punch Bowl Inn, which lies in the village of Crosthwaite in the Lake District’s ‘stunning’ Lyth Valley.
The AA says: ‘Its sumptuous bedrooms have a wealth of thoughtful extras, and imaginative food is served in the elegant restaurant or in the rustic-style bar with its open fires.’
AA FRIENDLIEST B&B OF THE YEAR
The Fylde International – Blackpool, Lancashire
The Fylde International, a family-run B&B in Blackpool, is described as a ‘welcoming’ place by the AA
The AA bills the family-run The Fylde International as a ‘comfortable and welcoming B&B’ that proves an ‘ideal base for Blackpool’s attractions’.
It says that families are well catered for with a ‘choice of family rooms and suites available’, adding: ‘A spacious lounge and a separate dedicated children’s area ensure all guests can enjoy the relaxed and welcoming environment.’
Come morning time, guests can tuck into a ‘substantial’ buffet breakfast, the AA adds.
AA BREAKFAST OF THE YEAR
ENGLAND: The Holcombe – Holcombe, Somerset
The Holcombe’s owners Caroline Gardiner and Alan Lucas say they make sure to use ‘only the best ingredients’ for their breakfasts
The Holcombe, housed in a 16th-century building in Somerset, has been handed an AA Breakfast Award for 2023.
What’s on the menu in the mornings? Owners Caroline Gardiner and Alan Lucas say they make sure to use ‘only the best ingredients’ for their breakfasts, adding: ‘Sustainability is at the heart of The Holcombe. We use homegrown fruits on our delicious yoghurt, compote and granola pot for example, and reduce food wastage by requesting for food to be pre-ordered.’
The breakfast offering is just one of the B&B’s selling points, the AA reveals, noting that ‘the attentive owners and pleasant staff create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere’ and the bedrooms are ‘individually furnished and very comfortable’.
And beer drinkers are in luck, as real ales are served in the inn’s open-plan bar, the AA adds.
SCOTLAND: Craigadam – Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway
A previous guest of Craigadam in Scotland praised the smoked fish and freshly baked bread served at breakfast
‘Set on a farm, this elegant country house offers gracious living in a relaxed environment,’ the AA says of Craigadam, which has also bagged an AA Breakfast Award.
After a recent stay, Tripadvisor reviewer ‘LezliC’ said: ‘Breakfast was superb, and taken on the enormous mahogany table in the main house. A lovely choice of fayre including Craigadams’ own smoked fish and freshly baked bread.’
Elaborating on the hotel’s other attributes, the AA says: ‘The large bedrooms, most set around a courtyard, are strikingly individual in style. Public areas include a billiard room.’
WALES: The Old Vicarage – Corris, Gwynedd
Start your day with dishes such as Welsh rarebit or homemade granola at The Old Vicarage in Wales
One of the tasty meals served at The Old Vicarage
Another B&B that’s snapped up an AA Breakfast Award is The Old Vicarage, ‘an impressive and creatively restored country house’ that lies near the town of Machynlleth, the AA notes.
It says: ‘Memorable breakfasts ensure a great start to the day.’
The inn’s website reveals that it partners with ‘local suppliers and artisans’ in sourcing ingredients for breakfast, as well as making its own fresh bread daily. Dishes such as Welsh rarebit or homemade granola will kickstart your day.
The AA adds that the property ‘provides very comfortable bedrooms with stylish en-suite bathrooms’ as well as a ‘spacious comfortable guest lounge, which is the setting for homemade afternoon tea cakes’.
Walkers, cyclists and wildlife enthusiasts will find it’s an ideal base, the AA adds.
For more on the AA B&B 2023 Awards, visit ratedtrips.com.
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