Overtown Manor B&B

Nancy was a chef in London for years and breakfasts here are a feast of local, organic and homemade treats. You eat at the big wooden table in the bright, sunny kitchen. When you arrive there’s homemade cake or biscuits to settle you into the rather grand drawing room; with its open fire and views over the garden it’s just the right sort of place to unbend.

There’s a swimming pool to splash in and the garden has herbaceous borders, a herb garden and neatly-clipped beech hedges – there’s also a vegetable garden and you’re free to wander everywhere. Knock a ball around the croquet lawn or go straight out the door onto the Marlborough Downs AONB; it’s a 1.5 hour walk to Barbury castle for an iron age hill fort.

Bedrooms are super comfortable, two big doubles and three twin/doubles (all ensuite) and one sweet twin with a private bathroom. Marlborough is a 15-minute drive for shops, eating out and an indie cinema.