A rambling home-from-home with more than a dash of panache, The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel & Spa is a former 17th century coaching inn set in open parkland on the Duke of Devonshire’s Bolton Abbey Estate with wonderful views across the Dales, a chic spa, a fine dining restaurant and a buzzing brasserie.

The atmosphere is relaxed and accommodating. Arrive in winter and you are likely to find wellington boots lining the entrance porch and a huge crackling fire in the lounge. Deep comfortable sofas, beautiful oil paintings, rooms and suites with four poster-beds and pretty fabrics are sublimely inviting.

Fish the River Wharfe or explore ruined abbeys and ancient castles, and then, when evening arrives, dine in the award-winning Burlington Restaurant with its incredibly impressive wine list, or opt for the colorful, modern brasserie.