Timble Inn, Timble, West Yorkshire

In the middle of tiny Timble village, with its church and village hall, which sits in the Washburn valley tucked between Nidderdale and Wharfedale, it's beautifully peaceful. A car is essential but on the plus side, there is no traffic other than village residents and guests, and there are wide-reaching views over lower Wharfedale. Bolton Abbey, in Wharfedale, with its 12th-century priory and riverside walks, is a 20-minute drive, as is the smart spa town of Harrogate.

By car: Timble is 4 hours 40 mins from London and 1 hour 40 mins from Manchester. Free parking is available on-site.

By train: Skipton and Harrogate stations both have links to London via York and Leeds and are around 20 minutes in a taxi from the hotel. Book trains.

The 18th-century former coaching inn is now very much a gastropub; you step straight into a bar set with white-clothed dining tables. Stone-flagged floors and low beams form the backdrop to cream and coloured walls, smart leather chairs or tweed-upholstered banquettes, strings of fairy lights and bold rococo-framed mirrors. There's a wood-burning stove in the second dining area to keep things cosy.

The guest-only sitting room in the next door cottage, with sofas and a log-burning stove, is a quiet space; there's a help-yourself coffee machine - or drinks can be delivered - although it lacks the charm of the pub. On warmer days, there's a beer garden at the rear. Throughout the year, occasional wine and spirit-tasting dinners are held.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Garden
• Pet-friendly
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

With their creamy walls, solid-wood furniture, wool-upholstered headboards, and leather and wool armchairs, rooms have a light, contemporary-country style. Thick curtains and soft carpets add luxury while throws and cushions in autumnal colours add warmth. Bathrooms are bright and modern, with a choice of walk-in shower or bath and shower.

Room types: Classic Twin/Double, Superior Twin/Double, The Nidderdale Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with Harrogate-based H2K toiletries, bathrobe and slippers, tea and coffee facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi

This is confident Modern British cooking with well-balanced flavours, an occasional Asian spiciness and a lack of pretension. Starters might include harissa spiced lamb with yoghurt while mains might be stone bass with fennel pearl barley, or duck with spiced baby onions, sweet potato and ginger. An impressive wine list, local gins and ales make for evenings to savour.

The Timble Inn: 2 AA Rosettes, modern British cuisine, informal atmosphere. Open for breakfast and brunch Weds-Sun, lunch Weds-Sat, dinner Mon-Sat and Sunday lunch 12-7.30pm. Mains from £16.