Castle House

This Georgian townhouse in Hereford’s ancient heart has been sympathetically converted into a niche hotel. Elegance & comfort are the watchwords, each of the 10 suites & five rooms celebrating an aspect of the city's history. The lounge & bar areas are brightly decorated using dramatic floral arrangements, & hotel dining room La Rive offers relaxing garden views, crisp linen & prompt service. It's a wonderful stage for chef Claire Nicholls' carefully prepared dishes, which focus on ingredients from, among others, the hotel’s own Herefordshire farm. Start with pan-fried king scallops, shellfish risotto & langoustine tempura, or a delicate parsnip & apple veloute, port wine glaze & apple creme fraiche. For main course try the pave of halibut with crab & tarragon brandade, & finish with the tropical flourish of char-grilled pineapple, Malibu rice pudding & coconut ice.