Best restaurants with rooms
The Summerhouse
Aptly named, this elegant sun-filled Regency villa is just a few streets from the seafront. Guests describe the walled garden as 'a second Eden', while the Mediterranean food runs from langoustine and avocado salad through carré d'agneau to lavender ice cream with spiced figs. Three courses cost £26.
Cornwall Terrace, Penzance, 01736 363744
Westover Hall
This fabulous hotel (originally a grand house built for German industrialist Alexander Siemens) has a panelled dining room with views over the sea towards the Needles. Three courses cost £38.50, but the food is excellent.
Park Lane, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire, 01590 643044
Read's Restaurant
Guests at this wonderfully understated and quiet house, deep in the Kentish countryside, spend their days eating and then sleeping in the garden. Drinks on the terrace, followed by one of David Pitchford's fantastic Michelin-starred dinners (£45), set them up for another snooze. What a weekend.
Macknade Manor, Canterbury Road, Faversham, 01795 535344
The Bell Inn
This 600-year-old inn is just a stone's throw from the beach and is a tranquil place to relax - except when the village hosts an international crabbing competition in August.
Ferry Road, Walberswick, Suffolk, 01502 723 109
Samuel's
Swinton Park is a real castle, with turrets, and a deer park, a cookery school in the stables, and a spa. The restaurant serves delicious food. Order roast cannon of lamb, confit of shoulder, pommes purée and rosemary jus.
Swinton Park, Masham, Ripon, North Yorks, 01765 680900
The Griffin Inn
Some say this 400-year-old inn, which sits in extensive gardens and has views over the Ouse valley, does the best barbecues in Britain. This year sees the addition of an outdoor wood-fired oven in which to cook racks of Sussex lamb and Newhaven lobsters. The bedrooms have four-posters with all the trimmings.
High St, Fletching, East Sussex, 01825 722890
Weavers
An unexpected culinary gem in a converted row of cottages near the Brontë museum, Weavers is still run by the charming Rushworth family as a restaurant with rooms. And what a restaurant: Gressingham duck with purple sprouting bubble'n'squeak cake and Seville marmalade sauce.
13-17 West Lane, Haworth, West Yorks, 01535 643822
Colonna Castle
Perched on a hillside 20-minutes outside Cape Town overlooking the surf of False Bay, you must book in advance at this small, chic B&B but the Kalahari-born chef Jacques Erasmus is extraordinarily innovative (water lotus, wonderful seafood). The food is organic and healthy because the owner, Nicole Brand, is a firm believer in not combining protein and carbohydrate in the same dish.
Lakeside, Cape Town, South Africa, 00 27 788 8235
The Three Chimneys
This award-winning candlelit restaurant housed in a crofter's cottage looks out over the sea and towards the Outer Hebrides. Chef Shirley Spear uses the best of local produce to create simple, unfussy dishes - particularly seafood (try Drumfearn mussels or Scottish salmon) but also Scottish beef and venison. You can stay in one of the six rooms and drink champagne while watching the sunset before supper.
Colbost, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, 01470 511258
Bodysgallen Hall Hotel
This 17th-century house has 200 acres of wonderfully kept gardens which supply the fruits and vegetables on the restaurant's menu. Try a fillet of Welsh black beef with home-grown baby carrot fritters.
Llandudno, Conwy, 01492 584466
Windows
Go to the Carlton's airy rooftop restaurant for its spectacular views of Glasgow and for the unusual Scottish cuisine: try the lamb cutlets with spicy couscous or minted pears.
Carlton George Hotel, 44 West George Street, Glasgow, 0141 353 6373
Le Cinq
The opulence of the grey and gold dining room is reflected by the food - truffles, lobster, suckling pig, roast turbot and milk-fed lamb all feature. Perfect for a sleek romantic dinner, the restaurant is set inside an eight-storey historic hotel on one of Paris's quieter streets. It's seriously posh, but not at all stuffy.
George V Hotel, 31 Avenue George V, Paris, France, 00 33 1 4952 7000
The Stagg Inn
This charming old inn, owned and run by the Reynolds family, serves delicious food cooked by Steve Reynolds - try the stuffed pork with gooseberries from the garden. A couple of cosy rooms upstairs are supplemented by more gracious accommodation at the Old Vicarage along the road, where Steve's mum looks after you.
Titley, nr Kington, Herefordshire, 01544 230221
Brovey Lair
Mike and Tina Pemberton cook only pre-booked meals in a dinner party atmosphere, as this lovely house is their home. Tina's cooking style is Asian-fusion, with an emphasis on fish in delectable fixed menus (£42). The two guest rooms are modern and breakfast is served by the pool.
Carbrooke Road, Ovington, Norfolk, 01953 882706
Castleman Hotel and Restaurant
This house is principally a neighbourhood restaurant with rooms, that happens to be in a stunning setting. Despite the galleried hall and decorated ceilings, there is nothing too grand or formal, and the food served is both simple and delicious. Try the grilled sea trout on spinach leaves with lobster sauce, or pitch up for Sunday lunch (three courses/£19) when there is always a roast of the local beef and homemade sorbets of the Castleman's own raspberries and blackcurrants.
Chettle, Blandford Forum, Dorset, 01258 830096
Nick's Restaurant
Nick and Amanda Healey have updated this diminutive, timber-framed hostelry to offer elegance and outstanding cooking with many Gallic influences. Summer sees many warm salads, as in sea trout with prawns and rocket, but British favourites like steak-and-kidney pudding are also exemplary here.
Lord Nelson's House, 11 Marketplace, Oakham, Rutland, 01572 723199
Best cream teas
The Rosevine Hotel
Tuck into clotted cream and freshly baked scones while sunning yourself on the terrace overlooking the beach.
Rosevine, Portscatho, Roseland, Truro, Cornwall 01872 580206
The Wolseley
The place where Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow might pop in for a cuppa, and the staff are really great.
160 Piccadilly, London, 020 7499 6996
Carabé
The Italians have their own (colder) version of cream tea, and this is one of the best gelatarias in Florence. Try one of their Sicilian ice-cream sandwiches.
Via Ricasoli, 60, Florence, 00 39 055 289 476
The Old Parsonage
Get a table in the pretty garden and eat your way through cucumber sandwiches and scones with cream.
1 Banbury Road, Oxford, 01865 292 305
The Grange
Gorge yourself on scrumptious cakes and then take spiritual sustenance in the Abbey Church, which forms part of the Benedictine monastery.
Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh, Devon, 01364 645 504
The Corn Dolly
Try the Gamekeeper's tea (venison, duck and pheasant pâté with toast) at this seriously good tea shop.
115a East Street, South Molton, Devon, 01769 574249
Yew Tree Farm
Beatrix Potter first encouraged the tenants of this idyllic Lakeland farm to open the parlour as a tearoom in 1933. It remains open today, offering refreshments to passing walkers and cyclists, with Potter'sgrandfather clock et al on show.
Coniston, Cumbria, 015394 41433
Cafe at the Minack
The Minack's magical, open-air auditorium carved out of the cliff has a great café. Eat a Cornish cream tea, baguettes with Yarg cheese or Cornish pasties overlooking the green bay.
Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall, 01736 810098
Smugglers' Haven Tea Gardens
Once a nuns' retreat, this Victorian cottage has been a goal for hikers on the 'landslip walk' for almost 100 years. Take tea in the gardens overlooking the sea.
Leeson Rd, Upper Bonchurch, Isle of Wight, 01983 852992
Plas Newydd
Walk along the coastal path to Plas Newydd, then take tea at this 18th-century National Trust property. The tiled tearoom is in the old dairy.
Llanfairpwll, Anglesey, 01248 716848
Bird on the Rock
This pretty timber-framed building is famed as purveyor of over 60 connoisseur's teas, from Russian Caravan to Shropshire Blend. These are accompanied by all manner of sandwiches, scones and cakes piled onto tiered stands.
Abcott, Clungunford, Shropshire, 01588 660631
Gilbert White's House
This 18th-century tearoom is a magnet for tea-lovers with an appreciation of period recipes, such as homity pie and seedcake.
The Wakes, Selborne, Hampshire, 01420 511275
Tea on the Green
It's not only humans who appreciate the food at this pink-washed cottage opposite Danbury's duck pond - the ducks waddle over for any leftovers. The daily spectacle has become quite a draw.
3 Eves Corner, Danbury, Essex, 01245 226616
Kind Kyttock's Kitchen
Everywhere you look outside, there are turrets and spires, while inside the tearooms serve Clootie dumplings (a rich, steamed fruit pudding).
Cross Wynd, Falkland, Fife, 01337 857477
Village Hall
Every Sunday (3pm-5pm) between Easter and October local ladies lay on excellent teas in Wimborne's village hall.
Wimborne St Giles, Dorset.
Best for messing about on the water
The Riverside Inn
Tuck into homemade sorbets in the garden which overlooks the River Severn. You can also fish from the bank for salmon or trout. Or order some from the kitchen.
Cound, Cressage, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, 01952 510900
The Malsters Arms
Eat on the quayside by this family-friendly pub (no chicken nuggets).
Tuckenhay, nr Totnes, Devon, 01803 732350
The Poolside Restaurant
Eat the famous Cipriani hors d'oeuvres, gaze at the Olympic-sized pool , and pretend you have as much money as the other guests.
Hotel Cipriani, Giudecca, Venice, Italy, 0039 041 520 7744, www.hotelcipriani.com
The Inn at Whitewell
This eccentric fishing inn is for those who like shabby chic. Order local sausages or cornfed chicken.
Whitewell, Forest of Bowland, near Clitheroe, Lancashire, 01200 448222
New Angel
John Burton Race's newest venture is hugely popular so book ahead if you want to savour his sea bass while enjoying the view of the harbour.
South Embankment, Dartmouth, 01803 839425
Best with a sea view
Birkenhead House
The terrace of this idyllic boutique hotel is perched high on the rocks over the sea and during whale-watching season (July-December) you can eat a delicious, romantic meal and watch a pod of Southern Right whales thumping their tails right there in front of you. The hotel is the sister of the Royal Malawane game lodge and La Residence in Franschoek, and shares the minute attention to detail and taste that is the owner's Liz Bredin's trademark. Food is locally sourced and fi sh straight off the boat. Elton John and Bono are regulars.
Birkenhead House, Hermanus, Cape Town, South Africa, 00 27 15 793 0150
Old Coastguard Hotel
With tables overlooking the village of Mousehole and Mounts Bay beyond, you can eat a delicious meal from a menu heavy with local produce: Cornish brie with asparagus, locally smoked haddock chowder or locally reared organic chicken. And stumble back in the morning for kippers and newly laid poached eggs.
The Parade, Mousehole, nr Penzance, 01736 731 222
Can Majo
Situated right on the waterfront, Can Majo is considerably better than the average tourist restaurant. Go for fresh paella with crab-meat or lobster.
Almiral Aixada, 23, Barcelona, Spain, 00 34 93 221 58 18
Reial Club Maritim
Bag yourself a window seat in the seafood restaurant of this yacht club, and pretend you own the biggest boat you can see.
Moll d'Espanya, Barcelona, Spain, 00 34 93 221 73 94
L'Horizon
This hotel, on one of Jersey's most beautiful bays, has two restaurants, both serving fresh local fish and seafood. Start the evening by sipping drinks on the sea-front terrace, and recuperate the next day with a visit to the hotel's spa.
St Bredales Bay, Jersey, 01534 743101
Best for people watching
Balthazar
Eat octopus with truffle oil while watching the beautiful people of Athens.
Tsoha and Vournaziou 27, Athens, Greece, 00 30 10 641 2300
Terra Nova
You could take in the view of the water from windows overlooking the bay, or you could turn your attention to the young and trendy of Cardiff who congregate here.
Mermaid Key Stuart Street, Cardiff , 029 2045 0947
Gingerman Drakes Hotel
The new hot ticket in Brighton, with an interior that mixes up Georgian townhouse with orientalism and a little Indochine French colonialism for good measure.
Drakes, 44 Marine Parade, Brighton, East Sussex, 01273 696934
Enoteca Pinchiorri
This restaurant's decor has the kind of shameless opulence that signals an extremely expensive evening is on the cards - chandeliers, lilies and liveried waiters all make an appearance. The decadent food, which include lashings of pricey ingredients such as lobster and goose liver, has gained the restaurant two Michelin stars and a sheaf of awards. But it's the wine that really puts this restaurant into a class of its own: with a cellar of around 180,000 bottles, it's one of the finest collections in the world.
Via Ghibellina 87, Florence, Italy, 00 39 55 242 757
The Corinthian
It's plush, it's gold, it's Grade-A listed, it's got pillars and original cornicing. The food's lovely, the staff are great, but more importantly Ewan McGregor goes there.
191 Ingram Street, Glasgow, 0141 552 1101
Food with a view
La Pergola
The steep prices (€250 and up for a meal for two with wine) are worth it for the fantastic view of the capital.
Hilton Hotel, Via Cadlolo 101, Rome, Italy, 00 39 06 35 09 20 55
The Blueprint Café
Enjoy good food with a panoramic view of the Thames.
The Design Museum, Shad Thames, London, 020 7378 7031
Develi
Amazing views of the Marmara Sea and the old city walls can be had from the roof terrace of this old Istanbul kebab restaurant.
Samataya Balik Pazari, Gümüsyüzük Sokak 7, Istanbul, Turkey 00 90 212 529 0833
The Trafalgar
Head to the roof bar for some of the best views of the capital and sample their bourbon-based cocktails.
2 Spring Gardens, St James's, London, 020 7870 2900
La Terrazza
The top floor terrace of this Venetian bar and restaurant has a view of San Giorgio. The bellinis (made with fresh white peach juice ) rival those at Harry's Bar.
Danieli Hotel, 4196 Venice, Italy, 00 39 041 522 6480
Mr Pil Poul
The rooftop terrace and garden overlooking the Acropolis make this restaurant, with its great and imaginative menu, the most romantic in town.
Apostolou Pavlou and Poulopoulou 51, Athens, Greece, 00 30 210 342 3665
Best in the countryside
La Colombe
Situated in the middle of a thriving vineyard that produces the delicious Constansia Uitsig wine (which is hopefully cooling beside your table), the food here by French chef, Franck Dangereux, is a clever mix of traditional Provencal cooking using great, fresh South African food. The outdoor terrace round a pretty fountain is shaded by huge trees and white umbrellas, and on Sundays you can hear the thwack of cricket balls on the estate's private ground. Constansia Uitsig has 16 rooms, but that still doesn't guarantee you a table at either La Colombe or the adjacent Uitsig restaurant, so booking is essential.
La Colombe, Constansia Uitsig, Constansia, South Africa, 00 27 21 794 2390, www.lacolombe.co.za.
Paris House
Driving through a deer park is just the fi rst delight of dining at Paris House - the French food is also spectacular, and the wine list is top-notch.
Woburn Park, Woburn, Beds, 01525 290 692
Bibe
When the bustling streets of Florence get too much, escape to the garden of this family-run restaurant and eat fresh pappardelle with wild hare in the sunshine. It's been owned by the same family for 150 years and is supposed to be one of the oldest Florentine eateries.
Via della Bagnese 1r, just outside Florence, Italy, 00 39 55 204 9085
L'Osteria Del Vicario
Located in a tiny hill town where the writer Boccaccio lived, this small restaurant was once a 13th-century monastery. Gaze across the valley to the towers of San Gimignano while tucking into local specialities and wine from the nearby vineyards.
Certaldo Alto, Tuscany, Italy, 00 39 0 571 668228/ 668676, www.osteriadelvicario.it.
