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A splendid baronial mansion built by Charles Barry, of new Westminster Palace fame and now providing a useful staging post en route to Scotland. As you might expect everything is gracious and comfortable, and the food is traditional and safe. Downstairs you can eat cosily in the bar with much the same food for significantly less. A challenging wine list with house wine at £10.50.

There are three restaurants in this stylish country house hotel, only a short distance from the Scottish Border and surrounded by 15 acres of mature woodland. The Borders is a traditional dining room. The Music Room, overlooking the sea, and the panelled Gallery offer the same high quality of service and food in a more intimate setting. A good place to unwind before the meal is the Duck and Grouse Bar, where an open log fire and discreet lighting helps create the tone. Game features largely on the menu and fresh seafood comes daily from Eyemouth. The generously stocked cellar spans both New and Old World.

Of course I am pleased for them all. As with the garden The Sanctuary has been done to a very high standard both in terms of décor and what arrives at the table. For the casual, or intentioned even, passer-by there are menus for both lunch and dinner.

Roulade of smoked salmon and prawn mousse with pickled samphire and lemon dressing makes an attractive starter at dinner from a choice of around seven dishes.

A Northumbrian sirloin steak with homemade thick-cut chips makes a sturdy main course, or there is grilled halibut with saffron fondant potato, fine beans and wild mushrooms, rounded off with a dill veloute.

Lunch sensibly makes a two course assumption, perhaps an Aberdeen Angus burger with salad and French fries, followed by Bailey's crème brûlée. There is also a menu for the children, that is unbelievably good value and takes heed that the little dears are likely to be on holiday, therefore beyond the reach of the thought police as far as content is concerned.

Various party menus are also available including a three course banquet if you want to translate Potterism into some light indulgence.

Blackmore's is an exclusive boutique hotel and restaurant in Alnwick, right in the heart of Northumberland, and it offers an exquisite experience whether you choose to dine and/or stay there to enjoy the marvellous luxury that they offer. The décor is understated and uses contemporary muted colours to make an elegant style statement. The bistro offers a casual atmosphere, perfect for relaxing over a delicious sandwich or baguette while the à la carte in the restaurant is an excellent option for a more elaborate dining experience.

Amongst starters, you could expect to find roasted smoked salmon served on a tossed salad with dill pesto, followed by a slow cooked lamb shank in rosemary served on caramelised red onions with gravy. Fish lovers will enjoy the whole tail scampi served with crispy chips and tartar sauce and the list of decadent desserts are displayed on the blackboard. The bar at Blackmore's is adequately stocked with beers, ales and fine wines that complement the meal expertly.

An engaging old coaching inn, very popular with locals and visiting tourists alike, where the customer is treated as somebody they really welcome. The food is Northumbrian in character, but quite modern in interpretation. Bar meals are served in the warm and friendly bar area, with the same menu as in the restaurant, the only difference is that tables can be reserved in the large restaurant. Both are excellent, with fresh local produce much in evidence, rounded off well by a lively little wine list.