Losehill House Hotel & Spa

If you're a walker you couldn't dream of a better setting than the one enjoyed by the Losehill House Hotel & Spa. Deep in the heart of the Peak District, down a narrow country lane just outside the village of Hope, it's surrounded by enticing views that beckon you each day to enjoy the pleasures of the wild and gorgeous Derbyshire countryside. No surprise, then, that it was 'Sunday Times Country Hotel of the Year' a few years ago, and continues to provide an enticing mix of traditional and modern comforts in the midst of some of the Peak District's most stirring scenery.

One of the many other nice things about Losehill House is that it makes a good car-free weekend break from either Manchester or Sheffield, with regular trains running from both cities to Hope, some two miles away. An Arts-and-Crafts property from the turn of the nineteenth century, Losehill was built as a ramblers' hostel but has been superbly updated by Paul and Kathryn Roden, who have turned it into an extremely comfortable four-star hotel with a spa and a two-AA-rosette restaurant that attracts plenty of non-residents. It's a tremendously relaxing place to stay, with a country house vibe that is deliberately comfortable rather than full-on posh; wooden floors, squashy sofas and mismatched comfy chairs blend well with the low-key but attentive service and a range of thoroughly up-to-date facilities. The hotel has its own spa, with three treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room and a lovely indoor pool, plus an outdoor hot tub that's ideal for soothing those aching limbs after a hard day's hiking.

 There are 22 guest rooms in all, ranging from straightforward Doubles to De Luxe King rooms and 4 suites; all are furnished in a simple, contemporary style and come with en-suite bathrooms (de luxe rooms have separate showers), big comfy beds (king- or super-king-size), flatscreen Freeview TVs, tea and coffee-making facilities, robes and slippers for the spa and decent wifi. There's a lift to reach the upper floors, which is helpful for less mobile guests, and most of the rooms have wonderful views over Edale. Breakfasts are waiter-service (rather than a buffet) but the thoughtful menu is full of local treats like black pudding and oatcakes – indeed the food here is one of the highlights of any stay. They serve a a great-value 4-course menu that starts with canapes in the bar, or you can choose from their daily changing a la carte menu, with half a dozen choices for each course and a focus on locally sourced meat, fish and other produce – duck and game from nearby estates, free-range chicken and pork, local honey, herbs and artisan cheeses.  Just what you need after a day visiting the many and varied attractions of Britain's first ever national park, from nearby Mam Tor and Lose Hill to Chatsworth House, Castleton and the villages of Edale.