7 Longport

Winning accolades as one of Britain's best B&Bs, 7 Longport is about as homely a Canterbury haven as you could find. It not only enjoys a great position that's very handy for the centre of Canterbury (and the stations), but tucked away in a peaceful location opposite the ruins of St Augustine's Abbey, it's also extremely comfortable and offers a great deal more privacy than most B&Bs, with unique accommodation in a separate one-bedroom cottage in an enclosed garden. On sunny days, saunter out of your cottage and have breakfast in the serene courtyard behind the main house.

The B&B cottage dates from the 15th century and was formerly a 'backhouse', where much of the household work was carried out. This is one of the few that survived, and nowadays, it's as comfortable as it's private and peaceful, decorated and furnished in a tasteful, contemporary style. The ground floor sitting room is decked out in soft shades and home to a wood-burning stove for injecting cosiness on cold evenings. That level also houses a modern, mosaic-tiled wetroom with handmade soap and Noble Isle toiletries. Head upstairs to the supremely comfy king-size bedroom and be greeted by dark wood furniture, a palette of white and black, and statement pieces like an antique glass chandelier. With a handmade mattress, a sound night's sleep is definitely on the cards. There's all the tech and amenities you need, too: WiFi, a DVD player, Bluetooth speaker, flatscreen TV and digital radio.

Breakfast is worth staying for in itself, all locally sourced and served in the cottage or garden. Start with the luxury basket, laden with the likes of granola, croissants, toast with homemade jam, porridge, yoghurt, fruit (often from the nearby allotment), and fresh apple juice from the farm next door. If that doesn't fill you up, there's a daily changing menu with three choices, ranging from pancakes and frittatas to filled bagels. Fancy a cuppa throughout the day? There are tea- and coffee-making facilities, including a Nespresso machine.

Above all, the owner Ursula (who lives in the 18th-century townhouse that sits on the same site), is a friendly and knowledgeable hostess, providing a warm welcome and a helpful introduction to Canterbury. There's loads to see on your doorstep, both in the cathedral city itself and beyond – the seafood restaurants of Whitstable and the Kent coast are just a short drive away, as is the highly-regarded Michelin-starred Sportsman. For the walkers among you, why not make your way to the seaside via the seven-mile-long Crab and Winkle Way? Mostly, though, this is the type of B&B that's lovely to come back to at the end of the day. And if you need more space and fancy self-catering instead, the two three-bedroom cottages on Love Lane, just the other side of the garden wall, are similarly cosy and well-equipped.