Borough Court

When everyone says it's the best, it would be rude not to agree! Borough Court, a Hampshire country house set in 90 acres, with 15th-century origins, has been lauded by magazines, newspapers and books as one of Britain's top, luxury B&Bs. And we're not going to argue, because staying here is an absolutely stunning experience. The proof is in the history – only four families have lived in the house since 1480 (the current owners are descendants of Anne Boleyn, would you believe?), and it's a beautiful building, rich in detail from many periods but updated with 21st-century comforts very much in mind.

There are, in fact, only two double bedrooms available, both in the main house and accessed by the impressive main staircase. The Attic Suite sits under eye-catching curved beams from the hull of a large ship, and the bed is a super king-size French antique. The panelling is original, and the bathroom, with its slipper bath, sits tucked under the eaves and boasts a view of garden and lake. Alternatively, you can stay in the Chinese Room, the original master bedroom of the medieval house, with a super king-size bed, Chinese wallpaper, high ceilings, a 16th-century fireplace and an impressive bay window. There are his-and-hers sinks and raised roll-top bath in the room, plus a separate walk-in wet room and shower. You really couldn't wish for two more idiosyncratic but wonderfully comfortable rooms with the wow-factor – the only sadness is that you have to choose just one!

Breakfast includes locally farmed sausages and bacon, free-range eggs and house-grown tomatoes, pancakes with blueberries, bananas and maple syrup, homemade preserves and freshly baked croissants. It's served in the dining room, another glorious space with a large fireplace under one of the ornate chimneys that mark out the exterior of the property. One point to note – the age of the house precludes TVs and kettles in the rooms, but you're invited to think of yourselves as house guests with the run of the property, so coffee, tea and a drinks tray are available in the drawing room, where you can help yourself and sit down with a G&T in front of the fire.

You're also welcome to stroll the grounds and woods – there are sheep and horses on the farm – or head out to nearby villages for age-old pubs and agreeable restaurants. Towns like Basingstoke, Reading and Newbury are within half an hour and the North Hampshire Downs are nearby. Heathrow Airport is around 30 minutes away and Central London is within an hour by car (45 minutes by train), making this a terrific weekend-away option for anyone who'd like to step back in time for a taste of high-class country living.