Judges Country House Hotel

The verdict is unanimous approval for this former judge's lodging

Judges Country House was built on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors in 1881 as a family residence for the Richardsons of Hartlepool, prosperous engineering entrepreneurs. In the 1970s, the building was transformed into a country lodging for circuit court judges - hence the name. The carefully restored house, replete with glossy Victorian woodwork, has a comfortably clubby atmosphere that is known to play havoc with guests' short-stay plans! Ingredients in this charm are the lovely garden with its sunny terraces, the Victorian walled garden, where fruit and vegetables are grown for the kitchens, and the extensive woodland walkways. Judges is a delightful getaway for families, couples and business travellers alike and has been rated an AA Red Star Inspector's Choice hotel for nine years running. A terrific base for exploring the moors, visiting the ancient abbeys of Rosedale and Rievaulx or Mount Grace Priory - or heading to the coast for Whitby, where Bram Stoker wrote 'Dracula', fossil-hunting is a must and Captain Cook is celebrated with his own museum and monument.