The=20 Times

The Sunday = Times

MY=20 PROFILE

From The Times

March 27, 2010

The 30 coolest B&Bs in Britain

From a = converted prison=20 to a Queen Anne townhouse, The Times names the country's most stylish=20 B&Bs

James Ellis, Caroline Hendrie = and Jo=20 Morris

1. 40 Winks, London

This 1717 Queen Anne townhouse in Stepney is the home of the interior = designer David Carter and is regularly used for fashion shoots because = of its=20 flamboyant decor. With models and photographers clamouring to stay in = the house,=20 Carter decided to use two of the rooms for B&B stays. The breakfast = is=20 continental. From =A390 per room.

Details 020-7790 0259, 40winks.org=20

2. The Front Rooms, Whitstable, Kent

There is little risk of the owners=92 quirky sense of colour = intruding on your=20 stay here =97 the two bedrooms are decorated entirely in shades of white = and share=20 a white bathroom. From =A395 per room (=A375 for single occupancy).

Details 01227 282132, thefrontrooms.co.uk

3. The Rooms, Lytham, Lancashire

Chosen as the best of the new wave of slick B&Bs by our Mystery = Guest.=20 Top features are the gadgets =97 flatscreen TVs, iPod stations, digital = radios =97=20 and breakfast that beats even five-star London hotels. From =A3110 per = room.

Details 01253 736000, theroomslytham.com

4. Escape, Llandudno, Wales

This exuberant nine-room gem has just reopened after a big = refurbishment.=20 Rooms are individually decorated with a cheeky retro slant: a floating = bed and=20 =93shag pile=94 carpet, mood lighting, infinity light mirrors and a = copper rolltop=20 bath. Gadgetry includes wi-fi, flatscreen TVs, iPod docks and Blu-ray = players.=20

Details 01492 877776, escapebandb.co.uk

5. The Old Lock-Up, Wirksworth, Derbyshire

At this converted magistrate=92s house, police station and prison, = one of the=20 cells remains in its original state to remind guests of the great = restoration=20 job done by the owners, Vivien and Tony Wheeler. You can stay in the = chapel and=20 wake up next to a row of Gothic headstones. From =A350pp.

Details 01629 826272, theoldlockup.co.uk

6. The Randy Pike, Hawkshead, Cumbria

Enjoy breakfast in your vast bed at any time of the day in one of the = two=20 quirky and sumptuous suites. Book for more than one night and you can = raid your=20 own =93boudoir larder=94 filled with local cheeses and chutneys, = homemade cakes and=20 dinky bottles of champagne. From =A390pp.

Details 015394 36088, randypike.co.uk

7. Bryn Bella, Wales

A five-bedroomed B&B in the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales, = with=20 eco-friendly credentials, including solar power for heating and = lighting. The=20 owners also grow their own fruit and veg. From =A340pp.

Details 01690 710627, bryn-bella.co.uk

8. Cairn Bay Lodge, Bangor, Co Down, Northern Ireland

The lure of the sea extends beyond the panoramic views of Ballyholme = Bay =97=20 there are Voya Irish seaweed-based treatments at the in-house spa. = Spectacular=20 breakfasts include Ardglass kippers with mustard, and boiled duck eggs = with soda=20 bread soldiers. From =A335pp.

Details 028 91 467636, cairnbaylodge.com

9. Park Farmhouse, Wadebridge, Cornwall

Learn how to cook with experienced chefs or head out for a day=92s = shooting or=20 deer stalking on the edge of the Pencarrow Estate. The next cookery = course is on=20 April 2 and 3 and costs =A3360pp for two days of tuition with overnight = stays.=20 From =A385 per couple.

Details 01208 841277, park-farmhouse.com

10. Number One, Blackpool

This converted townhouse puts the idea of the dreary seaside B&B = to rest=20 with its swish rooms redolent of Austin Powers=92 boudoir: dark wood, = fluffy=20 pillows, faux fur spreads and flatscreen TVs. From =A360pp.

Details 01253 343901, numberone blackpool.com =

11. Peverell=92s Tower, Dover

Expect things to go bump in the night at this converted keep in Dover = Castle.=20 It may have been made over into a quaint- but-modern holiday cottage, = but there=20 is enough to remind you of its original use. From =A3395 for three = nights.

Details 0870 3331187, http://www.english-heritage.= org.uk/=20

12. The Pottery House, Dores, Scotland

One of the few places you can stay right on the shores of Loch Ness. = There=20 are three rooms, one of which has loch views. All rooms have free = wireless=20 internet access and breakfast features homemade breads and jams. From = =A334pp.=20

Details 01463 751267, potteryhouse.co.uk

13. Zanzibar Hotel, East Sussex

At the Zanzibar in St Leonards-on-Sea, each room is themed on a city, = country=20 or continent. Antarctica features a huge faux polar bear rug, while = Manhattan=20 looks like a New York loft. From =A389 per room.

Details 01424 460109, zanzibarhotel.co.uk

14. Pool House, Ross-shire

On the shores of Loch Ewe, Scotland, Pool House has nautically themed = suites=20 with four-poster beds and rolltop baths. One has a hot tub on its = private deck=20 where you can watch otters in the loch. From =A3120 per room with a = minimum=20 two-night stay.

Details 01445 781272, pool-house.co.uk

15. Beech House, Clipsham

Breakfast in this B&B in Rutland is prepared by a Michelin-rated=20 restaurant staff. The Beech House is part of the Olive Branch, the = Gallic=20 guidebook=92s pub of the year. There are six rooms with power showers,=20 double-ended baths and antique furniture. Rooms from =A3110.

Details 01780 410355, theolivebranchpub.com

16. Windermere Suites, Windermere, Cumbria

At this eight-roomed, =A31.6 million hostelry, rooms have trendy = furniture,=20 giant air baths, chromotherapy mood lighting and underfloor heating. = Extras can=20 include a naughty package with a box of sexy accessories. Rooms from = =A390.

Details 01539 444739, windermeresuites.co.uk

17 Llamedos, Brighton

Llamedos is a 31ft motor cruiser moored in Brighton Marina offering = B&B=20 for up to four in one double and two single berths. It has a flatscreen = TV,=20 fitted kitchen and a fridge stocked with goodies for breakfast. From = =A3290 for a=20 two-night break for four. The boat is for static hire only.

Details 0777 6186180, bedandbreakfast = boats.co.uk=20

18. Hopton House, Ludlow

When not running her five-star contemporary B&B, owner Karen = Thorne=20 offers courses (=A3125) for those who want to set up their own. Classes = include=20 website building, laundry and the perfect fry-up. Rooms from =A3150 for = two nights=20 (minimum stay).

Details 01547 530885, shropshirebreakfast.co.uk =

19. Crowberry, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

For peace and quiet, this small guesthouse on a secluded beach to the = north=20 of Stornoway is ideal. The four rooms have all mod cons =97 flatscreen = TVs, DVD=20 players, digital radio alarms and free wireless internet =97 plus fine = Egyptian=20 cotton bedsheets and locally sourced food. The owner, Lisa MacLean, = makes=20 fabulous picnics =97 perfect for lazy afternoons miles from anywhere. = From =A345pp.=20

Details 01851 605004, crowberry.co.uk

20 Ty Rosa, Cardiff

The couple in the news this week who were turned away from a B&B = in=20 Berkshire because of their sexuality would be welcome here. This stylish = B&B=20 is openly gay, with its eight rooms featuring beds =93fit for a = queen=94. Themed=20 weekends are aimed at the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual market. = Straight singles and couples are also welcome. From =A339 pp.

Details 0845 6439962, tyrosa.com

Expert=92s choice: Adam Raphael

1 The Old Railway Station, Petworth, West Sussex

Guests get a first-class welcome at this converted Victorian railway = station,=20 above, where you can stay in one of four Pullman carriages. Breakfast = comes in=20 the station=92s waiting room which has a 20ft vaulted ceiling or on the = platform=20 when the weather is warm. From =A345pp.

Details 01798 342346, old-station.co.uk

2 The Old Rectory, Boscastle, Cornwall

This rectory, where Thomas Hardy met Emma (inspiring his greatest = poetry),=20 has been converted into a B&B. Breakfasts include sausages from = Tintagel,=20 kippers and free-range eggs from the owners=92 own hens and ducks. = Doubles from=20 =A375.

Details 01840 250225, stjuliot.com=20

3 Orchard Barn, Bradpole, Dorset

This peaceful, converted farmhouse is surrounded by an apple orchard = and has=20 a river flowing through its grounds. It has three simple but comfortable = rooms,=20 and the home-made jams are a highlight of breakfast. From =A352.50pp. =

Details 01308 455655, lodgeatorchardbarn.co.uk =

4 Lavenham Priory, Lavenham, Suffolk

A restored Grade I listed former Benedictine priory and Elizabethan=20 merchant=92s mansion. Bedrooms have oak floors and four-poster, sleigh = or=20 polonaise beds. From =A352pp.

Details 01787 247404, lavenhampriory.co.uk

5 Swan House, Hastings, East Sussex

This 15th-century cottage, furnished with antiques and bric-a-brac, = has one=20 wonderful bedroom with original oak beams. From =A357.50 pp.

Details 01424 430014, swanhousehastings.co.uk =

Adam Raphael is editor of The Good Hotel Guide 2010 Great = Britain=20 & Ireland, =A317.50 (020-7602 4182, goodhotelguide.com)

Expert's choice: Alastair Sawday

1 Launceston Farmhouse, Blandford Forum, Dorset

Farmhouse chic =97 rooms have rococo beds and rolltop baths. = Downstairs there=20 is an honesty bar, open fire, and candles for a farm-sourced, rustic = dinner.=20 Rooms from =A370.

Details 01258 830528, launcestonfarm.co.uk

2 The Hen House, Helston, Cornwall

This has a wildflower meadow with sun loungers or a fairy-lit = courtyard at=20 night. Breakfasts are locally sourced. T=92ai chi is free for all = guests. Rooms=20 from =A3100.

Details 01326 280236, thehenhouse-cornwall.co.uk

3 Lower Hummacott, Kings Nympton, Devon

This farmhouse is set in seven acres of grounds with streams, ponds = and=20 woodland. The owner, Tony Williams, is an artist and runs courses for = =A3142pp,=20 including B&B in a double room. Rooms from =A368.

Details 01769 581177, tonywilliamsart.co.uk

4 Harrop Fold Farm, Rainow, Cheshire

Artists, foodies and walkers adore this antique-filled farmhouse on = the edge=20 of the Peak District. The farm=92s oldest building dates from 1694. The = owners=20 hold art and cookery courses. Rooms from =A385.

Details 01625 560085, harropfoldfarm.co.uk

5 Sherborne Forge, Cheltenham

Sleep in a restored cottage across the courtyard from the owner=92s=20 17th-century house overlooking Sherborne Brook. Rooms from =A390.

Details 01451 844286, sherborneforge.co.uk

Alastair Sawday edits the Sawday=92s Special Places guides=20 (sawdays.co.uk)

The=20 Times

The Sunday = Times

The 30 coolest B&Bs in Britain

From a = converted prison=20 to a Queen Anne townhouse, The Times names the country's most stylish=20 B&Bs

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