The Wheatley Arms, Ilkley, Yorkshire

If the weather's kind, there's nothing finer than walking over the moors to Ilkley. The views, both up Wharfedale and across the valley to Beamsley Beacon, are stunning.

This pub-with-rooms is located in Ben Rhydding, a mile and a half from Ilkley town centre; a handful of shops are a few minutes' walk away.
By car: around 1 hour 45 minutes from Sheffield, 3 hours from Birmingham and 5 hours from London.
By train: around 4 hours from London (via Leeds) and 2 hours from Doncaster. The hotel is a 4 minute walk from Ben Rhydding station. thetrainline.com

Perfect for people who want a stylish yet friendly base with an informal atmosphere and where walkers, dogs and children, as well as the less active, are welcome. It's very much a locals' pub and dining place, so you immediately feel part of the community, albeit a smartly heeled one.

The inn has a useful leaflet of well-written walking routes; take an exhilarating walk over the moors from the Cow and Calf rocks to White Wells (a former bath house), and down to Ilkley, and return via a duck-filled tarn. Dogs are allowed in some rooms, the lounge, bar and garden.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Terrace
• Walking tours
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Three rooms have private decked terraces - very large, too - with No 3 standing out for its bright striped window seat. You'll find a yummy Caramel wafer and Wagon Wheel in the mini-fridge, and every room has a view over rooftops to the moors either side of the valley; the best are from the top (second-floor) rooms.

Club room, Luxury Room, Executive Suite, Grand room,
Facilities include: ensuite bathroom, tea and coffee facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi

There's a separate vegetarian and vegan menu with tempting dishes such as red pepper, bean and aubergine chilli, and satay sweet potato curry. Breakfast is waiter-served with all dishes - such as smashed avocado and poached eggs, creamy scrambled eggs, as well as the full Yorkshire - cooked to order; even croissants are freshly warmed before serving.

Restaurant: breakfasts and seasonal pub food. Open Mon-Sat 12-11pm and Sun 12-9pm. Mains from £13.