The Chestnuts Country House

Situated in the tiny Nottinghamshire hamlet of Alverton, the Chestnuts Country House is well named – it's very much in the country, and is located in one of the village's most historic houses, formerly a Duke's estate farm, set within its own expansive gardens and surrounded by open countryside. As a boutique B&B, owned and run by Kelly and David Robinson, it's also one of the most comfortable and welcoming places to stay for miles around.

David and Kelly spent a decade or so renovating the house and gardens here, most recently converting the old stable and coach house to accommodate the guest rooms. They also run the place as a smallholding, which means you might meet a horse or two or a gaggle of clucking chickens on your strolls around the grounds, which adds an extra frisson to any stay. Guests are welcome to bring their own animals by prior arrangement.

There are three guest bedrooms at Chestnuts, the Tack Room, the Coach House and the Stables, and each one is laid out in a similar style but with a different colour palette of either soft yellows, greens or pinks. Each room is very spacious, classic yet contemporary in style, with high, beamed ceilings and imposing king-size four-poster beds; there's also room for a sofa and desk and a cushion-laden day bed. They all have tea- and coffee-making facilities, a 50" Smart TV, fridge and a good-sized en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, robes and toiletries. There are restful views over the garden, with its well-tended lawns, trees and shrubs, which you can access directly through double french doors.

Breakfast is a big feature of a stay at Chestnuts and is served in winter at a single large table in the main house, or during summer in the walled garden. David and Kelly are great hosts, and Kelly's passion is food and foraging so she's always looking to create interesting breakfast dishes, picking seasonal fruit, making compote and seeking out the best local produce.