Britain’s best B&Bs for 2024 revealed by the AA, from a church hideaway to a restaurant with rooms built within the walls of a stunning 13th-century castle. Is YOUR favourite on the list?

Drumroll please for Britain’s very best B&Bs for 2024.

The AA has just crowned the country’s best B&Bs in its annual Bed and Breakfast Awards, now in their 28th year. Cleanliness, breakfast, hospitality and service were all scrutinised to determine the winner.

Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Hotel & Hospitality Services, said of the nine winning B&Bs: ‘This year we have a very rich B&B scene in the UK, which demonstrates an extraordinary level of individuality and the very highest standards of hospitality.

‘The calibre of the nine worthy winners represents the very best from across Scotland, Wales and England. With so much to choose from, holidaymakers can explore Britain, enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep and delicious breakfast in a range of B&Bs wherever they go.’

A BED AND BREAKFAST OF THE YEAR

ENGLAND: Mallard Grange – Ripon, North Yorkshire

The AA inspector said the bedrooms in this 16th-century farmhouse are ‘packed with a wealth of thoughtful extras’

‘A homely atmosphere always guarantees a sincere welcome Mallard Duck Grange,’ says The AA.

According to the inspector, the bedrooms in this 16th-century farmhouse and forge are ‘filled with a wealth of thoughtful extras’.

They add: ‘Breakfast is one of the highlights of any stay here and features home-grown and local produce.

‘The property is within walking distance of Fountains Abbey.’

SCOTLAND: The Auld Kirk – Ballater, Aberdeenshire

‘Many original features of the church [church] have been restored and incorporated into the design of The Auld Kirk in Aberdeenshire

The AA describes this former Victorian Scottish Free Church building as a ‘meticulous conversion into a warm guest house’.

The inspector is fond of using ‘original Kirk’ [church] features of the property’s design’, and gives a thumbs up to the food, adding: ‘Excellent, home-made breakfasts, using the finest local produce, are served at the table in the characterful dining room.’

Visit The Old Church.

WALES: Bryn Derwen – Llandudno, Conwy

‘The decor and furnishings emphasise the historic charm of the property,’ the AA said of Bryn Derwen, which is situated ‘in a quiet part of Llandudno’

Byrn Derwen is situated ‘in a quiet part of Llandudno’, just ‘a short walk from the main shopping area and local restaurants’.

The AA team added: ‘A friendly welcome is assured at this impressive Victorian house, which retains many original features including tiled floors and beautiful stained glass windows. The décor and furnishings emphasise the property’s period charm, most evident in the sumptuous lounges and attractive dining room.’

AA INN OF THE YEAR

ENGLAND: The Cartford Inn – Little Ecclestone, Lancashire

The family-run Cartford Inn offers ‘stylish and chic accommodation’ in a 17th-century building, according to the AA

The AA says it is a family business Cartford Inn ‘offers sweeping views across the Lake District and offers stylish and chic accommodation along with award-winning food’.

Guests get Juliet balconies in some rooms at the 17th-century inn, while ‘dining on the terrace is possible in warmer weather’. There’s even a TOTI deli on site.

SCOTLAND: Kildrummy Inn – Kildrummy, Aberdeenshire

The Grampian Inn is the ‘perfect base for exploring the Grampian Mountains and beyond’

This ‘traditional, family-run inn’ with its ‘four charming bedrooms’, according to the AA, is the ‘perfect base for touring the Grampians and beyond’.

The inspector loves the lounge bar, with its ‘roaring fire and wide selection of beers and whiskies’, concluding that it is ‘a great place to while away the hours’.

The food is also tempting. The AA inspector added that ‘no trip would be complete without tasting the food’. It is a ‘delightful’ experience that ‘captures the essence of the dramatic landscape of the Cairngorms’.

Visit www.ratedtrips.com/establishments/kildrummy-inn.

WALES: And Talbot – Tregaron, Ceredigion

The AA is impressed with Y Talbot’s bedrooms and restaurant, which uses ‘quality produce’

The AA says: ‘And Talbot offers a range of very high quality bedrooms and bathrooms with luxury showers.’

The inspector also praised the B&B’s ‘traditional bar serving real ales’ and the restaurant, which serves a ‘very wide choice of dishes using quality produce’.

A RESTAURANT WITH ROOMS OF THE YEAR

ENGLAND: Boys Hall – Ashford, Kent

Boys Hall is a ‘lavishly restored 17th century country house’

The AA says: ‘Decorated in a beautiful boutique style, Boys Hall is a lavishly restored 17th century country house now converted into a stylish restaurant with rooms.’

The inspector said ‘the beautiful gardens are a delight to wander through’ and ‘the location is perfect for exploring Kent’s attractions’. Each of the nine bedrooms is ‘individually decorated’.

SCOTLAND: Mingary Castle – Kilchoan

This restaurant with rooms is built within the walls of Mingary Castle, opposite the Isle of Mull

The AA explains that this ‘unique and individual’ property ‘was built within the 13th century city walls of Mingary Castle‘ and possesses ‘a high level of quality, charm and character’.

The inspector continues: ‘Luxurious, luxurious bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and a beautiful restaurant, where many technical skills are on display.

‘Guests can explore the top of the ring wall or descend the steps to the sea and viewing platform, from where they can see the Isle of Mull across the water.’

WALES: The Chequers – Montgomery, Powys

Chequers offers ‘a relaxed atmosphere and a chance to get away from it all’ in a 17th century inn ‘full of character’

According to the AA, guests can expect ‘modern British cuisine served in an intimate and relaxed setting, with an emphasis on carefully selected seasonal ingredients and fine wines’.

Checkers can be found in Montgomery, a ‘picturesque town on the Welsh border, close to the Offa’s Dyke path, the River Severn and the Shropshire Hills’.

The team adds that the 17th-century inn is “packed with character”.

For more information about the AA B&B Awards, visit www.ratedtrips.com.