| When you are touring Britain outside the bigger cities | | | | centuries, cater enthusiastically to the desire to |
| you will find a huge range of places to eat and stay. | | | | recreate a bygone era. Most, but not all, offer a |
| For the visitor the different names do not always | | | | swimming pool or fitness centre. If these are not on |
| make the type of establishment clear. | | | | hand, you are likely to get access to country walks |
| Restaurants with Rooms are a phenomenon that has | | | | and field sports. At Christmas the country house |
| developed from the explosion in talented British chefs | | | | hotel comes into its own, book early for the best |
| who want their own establishments. The restaurant | | | | festive breaks. |
| is the starting point, with guest rooms available so | | | | Bed and Breakfast (B&B) is widely available, and |
| that gastronomes can tour their favourite bistros and | | | | the standards here vary enormously as well. The |
| stay overnight without worrying about driving home. | | | | English Tourist Board has a rating system based on |
| The Chef Proprietor will take as much care over the | | | | facilities, such as ensuite bathrooms and parking |
| accommodation as the dining room, and the overall | | | | spaces. It does not really assess quality so you need |
| package sums up the chef's image. Restaurants with | | | | to assess the destination on the information available. |
| rooms are unlikely to offer a guest lounge or bar, but | | | | It goes without saying that a B&B business is |
| for a rural location they are the ideal way to sample | | | | family-run, so there is a homely feel: many owners |
| excellent Modern British Cooking. | | | | will welcome you with tea in the lounge as they |
| The traditional hotel, many family-run, persists in small | | | | explain the local attractions. It is possible to spot a |
| towns and villages. These inns are primarily places to | | | | promising B&B when you pass the sign on the |
| stay, with a restaurant and bar available as an option | | | | road, and this will tell you whether there are any |
| for guests. Rates are charged for Bed and Breakfast, | | | | vacancies. In high season this is a risky tactic, and |
| so you can dine in the hotel or explore the local | | | | you could end up driving a long way to find |
| eateries as you choose. Hotels that are specially | | | | somewhere with vacancies for the night. Although |
| proud of their cooking may offer a special price if | | | | some B&Bs offer dinner as an options, this is |
| you book dinner in advance, and for a stay of more | | | | not the norm so you will need to go out for lunch |
| than one night you will probably want to sample your | | | | and dinner. If you book B&B in advance, check |
| hosts' cooking on one evening. When booking hotels | | | | the distance from local pubs and restaurants: if you |
| in advance look carefully at the information online, | | | | like to be within walking distance, avoid farmhouse |
| and read any reviews you can find. British hotels who | | | | B&Bs. The standards at B& B range from |
| target tourists have invested heavily to bring facilities | | | | basic - one spare bedroom in the owner's home - to |
| and décor to the highest standards, but there | | | | luxurious. Many successful B&Bs have expanded |
| remain a number of unmodernised places that cater | | | | to offer as many as ten guest bedrooms, and they |
| to a different sector and these may not offer the | | | | often have self catering accommodation on the same |
| same level of comfort. | | | | site. The size of these places often means they have |
| For visitors from abroad, Country House hotels are | | | | extra attractions like swimming pools, and even |
| the epitome of stylish living in days gone by. These | | | | cycles and rowing boats for guests to use. |
| hotels, housed in historic buildings dating back | | | | |