Cocooned within nine acres of landscaped gardens to the north of Walsall, this capacious family-run hotel, health club and spa is naturally a shoo-in for Midlands getaways, health breaks, weddings and other lavish celebrations. It also scores in the dining department, with confident modern food served in the smartly updated restaurant. British and European ideas sit side by side, so expect anything from smoked mackerel with celeriac, apple and confit potato or saddle of venison with butternut squash, pickled red cabbage and pearl barley to whipped goats’ cheese with beetroot carpaccio, candied walnut and pear or braised beef with parsnip purée, kale and bordelaise sauce. Dry-aged steaks also feature, while desserts could include a lusciously indulgent combo of lemon and poppy-seed cake with lime curd, frozen yoghurt and marshmallow. Service is “impeccable” and the food is backed by a substantial wine list – in short, Fairlawns “never disappoints”.