Mitton Hall

If you're going to stay in Lancashire's dreamy Ribble Valley, you might as well do it properly, which at luxurious Mitton Hall means gardens and grounds right on the River Ribble itself. It's a delightful location for a country house hotel, with stunning, leafy views to all sides and a real sense of romance. And while this is typical weekend-away country, in the heart of some stunning rural surroundings, it's certainly not typical or traditional – far from it, as the 'brasserie, bar, bedrooms' tag makes clear.

Let's start with the rooms, because they really are something. From modern doubles to four-poster suites, there's a full swoosh of designer style here. Contemporary French country, updated Tudor, classy royal decor with river views, rich baronial tones – you can basically decide what kind of boutique, romantic special occasion you'd like and find a room or suite to match. Beds and bathrooms are high quality, the views are both charming and calming, and even the standard rooms are decently sized – though obviously, in one of the six suites you're getting the full impact of space and style. One of them, the Princess Suite, has a double and two singles, and makes a great family room. All the rooms are on the first floor, so you do need to be able to manage stairs in what is a large country house hotel, with its various reception and public rooms, terraced gardens and the like.

Dining is equally decadent, though they're at pains to say it's not formal and off-putting, as is sometimes the case in a hotel like this. The brasserie menu is an appealing, modern, seasonal choice – so, local lamb and chicken and classic grilled steaks, but also things like a seafood platter or gnocchi with burrata. Lazy lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails on the terrace – it's the kind of all-access dining and drinking that you'd expect from a city brasserie, but you get it with the bonus of lovely rustic surroundings.

Beyond the grounds, you've got the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or even the Yorkshire Dales National Park, to explore. But on a warm spring or summer's day, with the River Ribble burbling away in the background, you might just feel that the grounds are enough excitement for one day. If you're looking for a relaxed, special-occasion stay in the northwest, then it's hats off to the Hall.