Britain's best B&Bs for 2022 revealed by the AA

Britain’s best B&Bs for 2022 revealed by the AA, from a Welsh 15th-century coaching inn to a boutique bolthole in Devon and an elegant property in Scotland

• The categories included Friendliest B&B, this year won by a property in the Lake District National Park 
• Inn of the Year was won by a Yorkshire bolthole with ‘sumptuous bedrooms’ and ‘professional staff’
• Gongs for Best Breakfast of the Year for England, Wales and Scotland were also handed out
• Recipients of Guest Accommodation of the Year for England, Wales and Scotland were also named

Luxurious bedrooms, panoramic views, sensational food and an abundance of character. These are all qualities and features of Britain’s best B&Bs for 2022, unveiled today by the AA in a virtual ceremony.

The categories for the B&B Awards were Friendliest B&B, this year won by a property in the Lake District National Park; Best Breakfast of the Year for England, Wales and Scotland; Inn of the Year, won by a Yorkshire bolthole; and Guest Accommodation of the Year for England, Wales and Scotland.

Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, said: ‘Congratulations to the incredible teams at these establishments, who demonstrate the high standards of hospitality to be found in the UK’s B&Bs.’ Scroll down to behold the winners…

AA GUEST ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR

ENGLAND: Highcliffe House – Lynton, Devon

Highcliffe House has ’boutique-style rooms’ and offers ‘panoramic views of the north Devon coastline’

Highcliffe House’s owner, Robert Walshe, said he was ‘deeply honoured’ to receive the AA award 

The AA declares that Highcliffe House offers ‘superb luxury accommodation’, with ’boutique-style rooms’, plus ‘panoramic views of the north Devon coastline while you enjoy an award-winning breakfast featuring fresh fruits and cereals, plus a comprehensive cooked selection’.

It adds that the location is ‘perfect for coastal walks and visits to the area’s historic villages’.

Robert Walshe, owner of Highcliffe House, commented: ‘We are deeply honoured to be awarded the 2022 AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for England. Intelligent luxury is all about thinking about what really is special for our guests, what’s different, and to give them a surprise that they are not used to.’

SCOTLAND: Meikleour Arms, Meikleour, Perth & Kinross

Meikleour Arms (pictured) has scooped Guest Accommodation of the Year in Scotland

Check in to Meikleour Arms and you’ll be treated to ‘elegant, contemporary bedrooms with super-king-sized beds’

On the dining front there’s an ‘attractive’ one-AA-Rosette restaurant serving ‘high-quality produce’

Claire Mercer Nairne, owner of Meikleour Estate, said: ‘Everyone at the Meikleour Arms is over the moon’

Check in to Meikleour Arms and you’ll be treated to ‘elegant, contemporary bedrooms with super-king-sized beds with luxurious hypoallergenic bedding, impressive bathrooms and quirky French furnishings’, declares the AA.

On the dining front there’s an ‘attractive’ one-AA-Rosette restaurant serving ‘high-quality produce’ and on the quaffing front there’s a residents’ sitting room with an ‘attractive fireplace’ that’s ‘perfect for enjoying the property’s own real ale’ or wine from an ‘extensive list’.

Claire Mercer Nairne, owner of Meikleour Estate, said: ‘It is such an honour to receive the coveted AA Scotland Guest Accommodation of the Year. Everyone at the Meikleour Arms is over the moon and we are so proud of our team who always go the extra mile to make every stay a special one. As we are launching some exciting new accommodation, we would like to say a huge thank you to the AA for their invaluable support and advice throughout our journey.’

WALES: The Bear – Crickhowell, Powys

The AA summarises The Bear as a ‘traditional inn’ that ‘successfully mixes old and new’

The Bear is a favourite with locals and visitors. ‘The character and friendliness of this coaching inn are renowned, ‘says the AA

The efforts of The Bear’s staff were recognised by co-owner Steve Hindmarsh

The AA summarises The Bear as a ‘traditional inn’ that ‘successfully mixes old and new’.

It adds: ‘The Bear is a favourite with locals as well as visitors. The character and friendliness of this 15th-century coaching inn are renowned. The bedrooms come in a variety of sizes and include some with four-posters.’

Steve Hindmarsh, co-owner of The Bear, commented: ‘We are delighted to have been awarded AA Guest Accommodation for Wales 2022. Recognition must go to all our hard-working and loyal staff who have worked relentlessly through the pandemic and its aftermath.’

AA INN OF THE YEAR: The Farrier, Scarborough, North Yorkshire 

Dreamy place to stay: The bedrooms at The Farrier are praised for having a ‘wealth of thoughtful extras’

The AA’s visiting inspector describes the team at The Farrier as ‘very friendly, professional and knowledgeable’

The Farrier wins praise from the AA for its ‘sumptuous bedrooms’ that have a ‘wealth of thoughtful extras, including Bose Soundbars, mini-fridges and Dyson fans’.

The AA’s visiting inspector adds: ‘Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the stylish and comfortable restaurant. The team here are very friendly, professional and knowledgeable.’

Danielle Bushby, owner of The Farrier, said of the win: ‘I am honoured and proud to accept this prestigious award from the AA. In 2015 my family and I began a restoration project that would ultimately take three years, but give a new heart to the old soul that was the rather tired public house in our village.

‘As we approach our fourth year of trading, I can honestly say that back then we would never have dared to dream that we were capable of what we have achieved and receiving this award has really confirmed for us that everyone’s hard work and determination to go above and beyond, in every aspect of our business, is truly paying off. This is a huge achievement for the whole team at The Farrier and we are all thrilled and excited to be the very grateful recipient of the AA’s Inn of the Year Award 2022.’ 

AA BREAKFAST OF THE YEAR

ENGLAND: Dorset House – Lyme Regis, Dorset

The AA inspector that visited Dorset House describes the breakfasts as ‘wonderful’. Lyn Martin, Dorset House chef-owner, commented: ‘We’re so lucky to have an amazing network of local food producers and love the creativity in creating our daily breakfast menus’

Dorset House takes breakfast extremely seriously.

The coffee is ground fresh every morning and slow-brewed ‘for the best possible flavour’, the sausages and bacon come from slow-reared animals at the 380-acre Downhouse Farm in the nearby village of Eype, and both the bread and granola are homemade.

The AA inspector that visited describes the breakfasts at the B&B as ‘wonderful’. 

Lyn Martin, Dorset House chef-owner, commented: ‘We’re so incredibly proud to receive this accolade from such a prestigious body – it really makes all of the hard work worthwhile. We’re so lucky to have an amazing network of local food producers and love the creativity in creating our daily breakfast menus so it’s lovely for this award to spotlight the passionate food culture of the South West.’   

SCOTLAND: Arden Country House – Linlithgow, West Lothian

Arden Country House offers the traditional cooked Scottish breakfast but also strives to ensure ‘that there is something for everyone’

The property offers vegetarian and vegan breakfasts and attempts to cater for gluten-free, wheat-free and lactose-free dietary needs

The breakfasts at Arden Country House are described by the AA as ‘delicious’.

The B&B explains on its website that it offers the traditional cooked Scottish breakfast but also strives to ensure ‘that there is something for everyone’.

It also offers fruit compotes, homemade yoghurt and granola, French toast, homemade pancakes, fresh avocado with grilled bacon and eggs Benedict.

The property also offers vegetarian and vegan breakfasts and attempts to cater for gluten-free, wheat-free and lactose-free dietary needs.

Beth Cruickshank, from Arden Country House, said: ‘To say I’m surprised and delighted to have been awarded the AA Breakfast of the Year Award for Scotland is an understatement. Thank you to the AA for the wonderful surprise, beautiful award and a very special thank you to our wonderful AA inspector for nominating us. We are thrilled to accept.’ 

WALES: Peterstone Court – Brecon, Powys

Peterstone Court serves lots of treats at breakfast including the full Welsh and coffee ‘roasted in the foothills of the Black Mountains in Hay-on-Wye’

The Peterstone Court breakfast menu includes Welsh rarebit on toast, eggs and soldiers, grilled smoked kippers, the ‘full Welsh’, buttermilk pancakes, and coffee ‘roasted in the foothills of the Black Mountains in Hay-on-Wye’.

The team at Peterstone Court said: ‘We are thrilled to have been once again awarded a AA Breakfast of the Year Award for our fantastic breakfast. 

‘So we look forward to welcoming you, and we’re saying thank you very much to the AA for our award.’

AA FRIENDLIEST B&B OF THE YEAR

The Hideaway at Windermere – Windermere, Cumbria, Lake District National Park

The Hideaway is run by ‘caring hosts’ and has a ‘beautifully appointed lounge’, luxury en-suites and breakfasts prepared using ‘the best local ingredients’

The AA inspector that popped into The Hideaway says that the ‘caring hosts’, Richard and Lisa Gornall, ‘ensure a relaxed stay’.

But there’s more to The Hideaway than bonhomie.

The inspector adds that there is a ‘beautifully appointed lounge’, ‘luxury bathrooms’ in the bedrooms and breakfasts that are ‘freshly prepared using the best local ingredients’.

Richard and Lisa, Proprietors of The Hideaway, said: ‘Team Hideaway are absolutely delighted to have received the award of The AA Friendliest B&B of the Year 2022. We are extremely proud of our amazing team who work so hard and keep smiling each and every day. Without them this would not have been possible. We are very grateful to Team Hideaway, our Customers and the AA, for their continued support.’

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