A British staple, bed and breakfasts have been popular with travellers across the UK for hundreds of years. With so many options, it can be hard to choose which is best. Thankfully, British motoring company AA recently revealed the winners of its AA B&B Awards 2022 which celebrate the best B&Bs in the UK. Now in their 26th year, the awards feature categories including Friendliest B&B, Inn of the Year and Regional Breakfasts of the Year, all in different areas. From luxury retreats in Scotland to historic inns in Wales, we've rounded up the winners.
A favourite among locals and visitors alike, The Bear Hotel is a 15th-century coaching inn that won Guest Accommodation of the Year for Wales. Located in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park, the historic bed and breakfast has been welcoming guests for more than 500 years and has been run by the Hindmarsh family for over 40 years. The Bear Hotel is renowned for its delicious food, incredible location and welcoming atmosphere.
The bed and breakfast has 35 unique rooms, immaculately furnished and decorated with locally inspired artworks. Each room features luxury bedding, toiletries and spring mattresses for a peaceful night's sleep. For breakfast, the restaurant offers an array of dishes including a Full Welsh breakfast, pancakes, pastries and a selection of cereals. The hotel also has its own bar, serving craft ales, speciality spirits and fine wines, with a beautiful garden perfect for a drink in the sunshine.
Another recipient of Guest Accommodation of the Year, but this time for Scotland, the Meikleour Arms sits right in the middle of the conservation village of the same name, renowned for its incredible scenery and great salmon fishing. A hotel and restaurant since 1820, the bed and breakfast was built on the Meikleour Estate, one of the oldest historical estates in the region. Perfectly positioned near the River Tay and surrounded by lush woodland, the Meikleour Arms is popular with walkers, hikers and fishers.
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The picturesque country hotel offers boutique accommodation with 11 stylish bedrooms and five luxury family cottages for those wanting a little more space. Each guest room exudes comfort and simplicity, featuring a comfy mattress, crisp linen and a beautiful marble bathroom. Breakfast of your choice comes as standard and is made using locally sourced and sustainable produce. For sports enthusiasts, the hotel runs its own salmon fishing where guests can learn to fly fish, while several golf courses are located nearby.
Overlooking the Jurassic Coast in the pretty seaside town of Lyme Regis, Dorset House earned the accolade of Breakfast of the Year for England, thanks to its four-course option. Set within a beautiful Georgian building, the B&B is just minutes from the beach, providing a perfect base for exploring the town and coastline.
Dorset House has five guest rooms, each with its own character, featuring flat-screen TVs along with a private bathroom and shower. There's also a terrace which provides guests with a place to relax, unwind and soak up the scenery. The light-filled Breakfast Room offers delicious and healthy homemade dishes made using organic ingredients where possible. Menu highlights include slow-reared bacon and sausages, homemade bread and granola and hand-roasted coffee, which is also available in the guest rooms.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Brecon Beacons countryside, Peterstone Court was the winner of Breakfast of the Year for Wales. Built in 1741, the impressive Grade II*-listed house combines Georgian heritage such as beamed ceilings with modern amenities, creating an elegant and relaxing setting for guests.
Spread across the main house and The Stables, the 12 bedrooms feature comfy beds, flat-screen TVs and luxury bathrooms with robes, slippers and toiletries. All the rooms have tea and coffee-making facilities, while homemade cookies are delivered to your door daily. Guests also receive complimentary access to the on-site spa which offers a variety of treatments and uses natural and organic products. The award-winning breakfast is what matters here, though. Think Welsh rarebit and home-cured bacon, smoked kippers, buttermilk pancakes and the Full Welsh, naturally.
Nestled deep in the heart of West Lothian in Scotland, Arden Country House was awarded Breakfast of the Year for Scotland. Set among 105 acres of gorgeous wooded sheep farming land on the grounds of the Belsyde Estate, the charming bed and breakfast offers sweeping panoramas across some of Scotland's dreamiest landscapes.
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Inside, the 5-star country house features luxurious bedrooms, each individually and stylishly decorated. The bedrooms come equipped with their own en suite bathrooms including a bath, shower and bathrobes. But its award-winning breakfasts created with local, seasonal produce is what leaves guests happy (and full). Dishes include a traditional Scottish breakfast, seasonal fruits and freshly baked sourdough bread with balsamic glaze.
Situated among some of Devon’s most picturesque coastal scenery in Exmoor National Park, Highcliffe House was the winner of the Guest Accommodation of the Year for England. As its name suggests, the adults-only bed and breakfast is perched high on a steep cliff, providing spectacular views across Exmoor and the North Devon coastline.
Inside, the rooms at Highcliffe House combine traditional and modern décor, featuring impressive wooden beds and glittering bathrooms. Each guest room comes equipped with all the luxuries you’d need such as toiletries, crisp white linen, a Smart TV with Netflix and Amazon Prime and fluffy towels. A hospitality tray in the room is filled with refreshments such as water, tea and freshly ground coffee that is replenished daily.
Located on the enchanting North Yorkshire Coast between Scarborough and Filey, The Farrier was named Inn of the Year. For more than 200 years, the former cottages on the corner of Church Lane and Main Street have served travellers and locals alike, with the resident blacksmith shoeing horses and providing expert hospitality. An extensive three-year renovation transformed the historic site, creating the boutique bed and breakfast we see today.
The Farrier features four individually designed boutique-style bedrooms, each paying homage to various equine tales and endeavours throughout history, a nod to the street's heritage. The rooms all have en suite facilities and feature locally produced beds. A continental or buffet breakfast is offered, showcasing the best produce from local farmers. During the day, the Coffee House serves artisan coffee, speciality teas and delicious treats and for a late-night tipple, the bar upstairs offers an indulgent gin and tonic menu alongside a selection of cocktails.
Tucked away in the beautiful Lake District, The Hideaway, which won Friendliest B&B of the Year, is the ultimate luxury retreat. With a commitment to relaxation, the bed and breakfast is housed in a stunning Victorian Lakeland House, offering beautiful rooms and warm hospitality in a glorious setting.
The Hideaway features 11 guest rooms with a variety of options, from comfy doubles to king-sized beds with Egyptian cotton sheets. All room rates include a cooked breakfast made to order, an en suite shower, complimentary tea and homemade cakes on a daily basis. For special occasions, guests can choose from optional add-ons, which include a selection of Champagne, strawberries dipped in chocolate and bouquets of flowers.
The following entries were recognised by the AA as the nine next Friendliest B&Bs for 2022. Nestled behind Keswick’s busier areas, The Edwardene is still within walking distance to the best bars, shops and restaurants. Start the day in the bright and airy breakfast room and relax by night in the guest lounge with its honesty bar.
This pristine guesthouse has 11 rooms with one family room. All are individually styled and include comfortable beds, modern bathrooms and luxury toiletries. You’re guaranteed a comfortable sleep after a day spent walking in the Lake District.
If you’re considering a seaside stay this summer, head to Clacton-on-Sea where you’ll find The Chudleigh. Owners Peter and Carol Oleggini have provided a sterling service for 50 years. Guests can also bring their four-legged friends along as this charming B&B is also dog-friendly.
After breakfast in the smart dining room, hit the beach or browse the nearby shops. The Chudleigh's 10 spacious rooms are all en suite and two are wheelchair accessible. Come evening, cosy up on the plush sofas in the lounge.
This B&B has a long history of hospitality; the building once served as a pub in the 19th century. At the Lion House Bed and Breakfast you can treat yourself to the first meal of the day on the secluded patio, or have a dinner of local meats, fish and homemade pies at the on-site restaurant.
There are four stylish king- and twin-sized rooms to choose from, complete with swanky chandeliers. As well as ample free parking, a short drive leads to Combe Martin Beaches, perfect for letting the sand get between your toes.
The Moor of Rannoch’s remote location guarantees pretty much zero mobile phone and broadband coverage, making it an ideal place to disconnect from the rest of the world. Curl up with a book by the log-burning stove in the guest-only lounge and sample homemade shortbread. Come evening, you can treat yourself to a Scottish tipple of gin, beer or malt whisky.
Unwind in one of the B&B's five en suite rooms with views spanning across the moor and the West Highland Railway Line. Rooms come with binoculars and waterproof maps, making it the perfect destination to explore the rugged surroundings and connect with nature.
The Forest is housed in a former Victorian coach house and offers boutique rooms, a modern restaurant called The Butchers Social and a bar with views looking into the kitchen. Its central Dorridge location is ideal for longer trips with motorway connections and trains to Birmingham city centre.
The Forest's 12 rooms are all en suite and individually styled with modern, homely touches. Guests can make use of Nespresso coffee machines, flat-screen TVs and more. This opulent B&B also received an AA 2022 Dinner Award for its delicious and varied menu.
Kingsway Guest House is the first guesthouse in Edinburgh to offer electric vehicle charging facilities – there’s not one but two points in its off-road parking. This Victorian building combines original features with modern touches, complete with swish bathrooms.
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There are seven rooms with triple-, double- and king-size available, although some can be converted to accommodate two couples or families of four. The guesthouse uses local produce to serve home-cooked breakfasts, like traditional haggis.
The Clydesdale is located in Paignton at the heart of South Devon’s picturesque English Riviera. Set in a quiet residential area, here you’ll take breakfast in the dining room and enjoy the south-facing guest lounge, although you’re not far from Paignton’s top attractions either.
With seven rooms to choose from, five are located on the second floor and two (wheelchair accessible) on the ground floor. Natural daylight floods the airy rooms; opt for one of the garden-facing rooms for ultra rest and relaxation vibes.
With close proximity to New Hall and Fitzwilliam colleges, Benson House is a great option for those wanting to mooch around Cambridge’s city centre which is less than a 15-minute stroll away. There’s also a small private gated car park behind the property.
There are six en suite rooms which vary in size and style. Rest easy on cotton linen or, if you opt for one of the recently renovated Superior rooms, there’s Egyptian cotton to savour. Whatever your choice, you can be sure you'll be looked after well here.
This country inn and restaurant is situated in a historic village in the Scottish Highlands. The building started life as a Victorian corn mill and today the B&B blends its traditional characters with a contemporary flair.
The restaurant, Hearth, has a reputation for innovative Scottish food using local produce from Moray and the Highlands. Each of the B&B's five rooms represent a local theme; the Brodie (standard double bedroom, pictured) focuses on the nearby historic Brodie Castle.