Lainston House, Winchester, Hampshire

The bucolic setting, just outside the sleepy Hampshire village of Sparsholt, belies its proximity to the vibrant city of Winchester, which is a ten-minute drive or hour's walk. Take a walk down the longest avenue of limes in the UK, which stretches from the hotel. London is one and a half hours away. Explore the quaint St Stephen's Church in Sparsholt (grab a key from the post office), then stop for a pint in the dark-beamed Plough Inn.

By car: around 1 hour 45 minutes from Bristol, 2 hours from London and 4 hours from Manchester. There is free parking on site.

By train: there are direct trains to Winchester station from Southampton Central (20 minutes) London Waterloo (1 hour) and Manchester Picadilly (4 hours). The hotel is a 10-minute taxi ride from Winchester station. Book trains to Winchester.

From the impeccable red-brick, gabled William and Mary facade to the polished flagstone floors of the reception with its roaring fire, this is everything you want from a historic country house hotel. The impressive wood panelling in the Cedar bar was all carved from a single cedar tree that fell in the grounds during the storm of 1930.

Service is generally bright and cheerful, however, you might expect turndown service and a doorman at a hotel of this class, and both were missing. A falconry experience can be arranged with their in-house falconer, as can a cookery class with Seasons cookery school. Bikes and wellies are free for guests to use.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Cookery school
• Gym
• In-house falconer
• Pet-friendly
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The rooms are all uniquely furnished. If you want period opulence, specify a room in the main house, which will give you original features and possibly views over the garden. If you prefer something more slick and contemporary, opt for one of the more modern rooms in adjacent Chudleigh Court.

Room types: Cosy, Smart, Plush bedrooms; Traditional, Family, Four-Poster junior suites; Garden, Chapel, Wolvesey, Delft suites

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, king or queen-size bed, seating area, underfloor heating, tea and coffee facilities

Dinner at the Avenue restaurant is something to revere. Head chef Phil Yeomans' six-course tasting menu is a thing of beauty to be enjoyed with perfectly paired wines (a Coravin system means much of the list is available by the glass). Bistro-style dishes are served in the bar, where you'll find rare whiskeys and a "library" of gin. They've recently opened The Wellhouse, a new woodfired dining experience.

The Avenue: elegant fine dining, modern British cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Two courses £48, three courses £60, six course tasting menu £80.