Sheriff Lodge

Incredibly comfortable beds and extremely tasty breakfasts are just two of the things that make Sheriff Lodge a fantastic place to stay, in the old spa town of Matlock, on the edge of the Peak District National Park. But both the beds and the breakfasts are merely indicators of what's truly special about this adults-only Matlock B&B, something that can be summed up in just three words – attention to detail, which owner Ziz has applied to every aspect of this place since she bought it. The reason the beds are so comfy? The mattresses are a minimum of eight inches deep, seven-foot long and made up with Egyptian cotton bed linen, and beds are all super-kings (some convertible to twins). The reason the breakfast is so tasty is because it’s fresh from the farms around you – as much as possible is locally sourced.

There are also fresh flowers, up-to-date magazines and a little box of ‘things you may have forgotten’ in all five en-suite bedrooms, and guests are offered tea and cake on arrival. Each room is individually decorated, mostly in elegant neutrals with a touch of colour and sheen here and there, to suit the age and elegance of the place. Originally built in 1740, this gritstone-built detached property was extended in 1908, and in some ways, retains the feel of the Edwardian gentleman’s residence it once was. The long curtains, upholstered comfy chairs, a drawing room where you can take a nightcap, and someone to serve your breakfast all help with that. But elegant as it is, this place is also homely. There's a garden for guests' use, plenty of parking and even a couple of EV charging points in a separate area. Ziz also offers thoughtful food-focused extras like sharing platters and packed lunches, plus homemade Afternoon Teas and truffles.

Each en-suite bedroom has tea- and coffee-making facilities, a Smart TV and even a hot water bottle. There are games, DVDs and books to borrow downstairs in the dining room, and one of the rooms – The Warren – has a separate entrance. Each room has its own personality, tied to the British countryside by both the paintings on the walls and the view outside the windows. That’s best seen from the top spots on the second floor, which offer panoramas of the Derwent Valley.

Whichever room you stay in, it doesn’t take long for you to be out in the Great Outdoors. You can walk down the hill in 10 minutes to pick up a picnic from the shops in the centre of Matlock town and then strike out into the surrounding countryside. Perhaps you’ll take the riverside walk to Chatsworth House or the more challenging route up High Tor. Further afield but still close by are some of the Peak District’s greatest attractions: Haddon Hall and Bakewell, both about 15 minutes’ drive away, and guests qualify for discounts at many nearby restaurants and attractions.