All hotels listed below are from the 2006 edition of the Good Hotel Guide. All have been visited and recommended for their character and service by anonymous inspectors and readers (who provide the quotes in this piece). Inevitably, some of the best walking hotels are in remote locations and may not open until March. All prices are per person for bed and breakfast or dinner, bed and breakfast (D,B&B).
The Peak District
1 Biggin Hall
Biggin-by-Hartiington, Buxton, Derbyshire (01298 84451; www.bigginhall.co.uk)
There are footpaths in all directions over beautiful countryside from or near the grounds of this unpretentious small hotel. The 17th-century stone house has antiques, narrow mullioned windows and 'a marvellous fire in the living room'. Rooms in a barn conversion have an outdoor porch. Hearty cooking (perhaps braised beef, Bakewell tart). An Icebreaker Special (up to 6 April) includes full breakfast (otherwise extra), a packed lunch and gluhwein.
B&B £35-£80; dinner £18.50.
2 Underleigh House
Hope, Derbyshire (01433 621372; www.underleighhouse.co.uk)
Within the Peak District national park, Philip and Vivienne Taylor's long, low, creeper-covered conversion of a Victorian barn and cottages has good walking from the door. They 'point you in the right direction' with maps and packed lunches. Drinks are served in the large lounge with a log fire. No evening meals (menus of local eateries are offered). Breakfast, taken at a large oak table, includes the 'full works' with local sausages, black pudding and moist Derbyshire oatcakes.
B&B £32.50-£50.
Yorkshire
3 Shallowdale House
West End, Ampleforth (01439 788325; www.shallowdalehouse.co.uk)
On a sheltered slope of the Hambleton Hills, Phillip Gill and Anton van der Horst's small guest house is just within the North Yorks Moors National Park (with 1,400 miles of paths and tracks). There's an open fire and complimentary tea in the drawing room, and superb views through picture windows across open countryside from the sitting room. Eclectic dinner menus, too, and a huge traditional breakfast. No smoking; guide dogs only.
B&B £41-£65; dinner £30.
4 Yorke Arms
Ramsgill-in-Nidderdale, near Harrogate
(01423 755243, www.yorke-arms.co.uk)
Frances and Bill Atkins have turned their creeper-clad old inn into a restaurant-with-rooms. Mrs Atkins's Michelin-starred cooking is much admired by Guide readers: 'The very good food is the raison d'être for staying here'; dishes are inventive, sometimes elaborate. The sitting areas have flagged floors, settles and wooden tables where walkers take a drink or a snack. The Gouthwaite reservoir bird sanctuary is nearby.
D,B&B £120-£190.
5 The Burgoyne Hotel
Reeth, near Richmond (01748 884292; www.theburgoyne.co.uk)
Compasses and detailed maps are given to walkers at this Grade II listed Regency house on the green of a village in the Yorkshire Dales. There are antiques, an inglenook log fire and books and magazines in the spacious lounge. There's also an 'impeccably served' four-course dinner on a daily-changing menu; fresh fruit, Whitby kippers, eggs Benedict, 'hot, strong coffee, decent helpings of butter and marmalade and a huge mixed grill' for breakfast.
B&B £52-£85; dinner £29.
6 The Sportsman's Arms
Wath-in-Nidderdale, near Harrogate (01423 711306; www.sportsmans-arms.co.uk)
In their unpretentious but smart Dales pub, Ray and Jane Carter have created 'a wonderful friendly atmosphere'. Reached across an old packhorse bridge over the River Nidd, it is popular with locals, walkers, birdwatchers and fisher folk. Earlier visitors found it 'attractive, professionally run; good value'. An 'excellent' English menu 'with a French flavour' is served in both bar and restaurant.
B&B £60-65; dinner from £28-£38.
Lake District
7 The Leathes Head Hotel
Borrowdale, Keswick (017687 7724; www.leatheshead.co.uk)
Roy and Janice Smith offer 'warm and personal service' at their gabled Edwardian house, high up in wooded grounds outside Borrowdale - 'a perfect and relaxed hotel for walkers'. Tea and drinks are served in a sunroom with wicker armchairs; there's a daily changing four-course dinner menu; and breakfast ranges from healthy to full English. Mrs Smith, a qualified physiotherapist, 'will soothe aching muscles and joints'. Open from mid-February.
D,B&B £54.95-£82.95.
8 Seatoller House
Borrowdale, Keswick 017687 77218; www.seatollerhouse.co.uk)
At the head of the beautiful Borrowdale valley, this 350-year-old building is an unpretentious guesthouse. It is much liked by hikers and ramblers for its homely atmosphere, camaraderie and good value. There's non-stop coffee (which can be taken out in flasks) and an honesty bar. Traditional meals 'with a twist' are served at communal oak tables. Big breakfasts. Opens 12 March.
D, B&B £46-£52
9 Old Dungeon Ghyll
Great Langdale, near Ambleside (015394 37272; www.odg.co.uk)
This 'unique Victorian mountain hotel' has long welcomed fell walkers and serious climbers. Owned since 1928 by the National Trust, and run since 1983 by Neil and Jane Walmsley, it is in a green valley on the approach to England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike. Food is traditional (steaks etc); children are welcome. There's a great range of beers served in the 'shippon' (a converted cowshed), which is a popular hikers' bar.
D,B&B £59-£65.
10 The Mill Hotel
Mungrisdale, Penrith (017687 79659; www.themillhotel.com)
In a hamlet at the foot of mountains, this 17th-century former mill cottage, still with millrace, waterfall and trout stream, is 'homely, comfortable, friendly and well situated'. 'Seconds after leaving the front door' a reader was on a footpath through 'lonely, wild countryside towards Blencathra, one of the great peaks'. There is a log fire in the 'cosy' beamed lounge, which is crammed with antiques and original paintings. Opens 1 March.
D,B&B £69-£85.
11 Hazel Bank
Rosthwaite, near Keswick 017687 77248; www.hazelbankhotel.co.uk)
In an area 'hard to beat for a walker', Glen and Brenda Davies's small hotel in Borrowdale has wonderful views of the mountains. Readers say: 'Run in a very personal manner'; 'relaxed ... superb traditional cooking'; 'more home than hotel. Breakfasts excellent. Sitting room cramped at busy times.'
D,B&B £66-£95.
12 Old Rectory
Torver, near Coniston (015394 41353; www.theoldrectoryhotel.com)
'Such good value for money.' Paul and Elizabeth Mitchell's 19th-century building stands in gardens and woods beneath the peaks of Coniston Old Man; many bedrooms have wide views. In the conservatory dining room, a four-course unpretentious dinner - no choice until dessert (preferences discussed when booking) - is served. 'Breakfasts were consistently good: a large selection of fruit to add to cereal; well-cooked Cumbrian dishes.'
D,B&B £48-£57.
13 Howtown Hotel
Ullswater, near Penrith (01768 486514)
'Out on a limb, good for walkers.' Jacquie Baldry's popular, simple guest house on the eastern shore of Ullswater has fields and garden on one side, wooded hills on the other. 'Friendly, relaxed, like staying in a country home.' She keeps 'a watchful eye, with humour'. Generous breakfasts have stewed and fresh fruit and substantial picnics are provided. Many footpaths nearby. Opens 31 March.
D,B&B £62.
14 Wasdale Head Inn
Wasdale Head, near Gosforth (019467 26229; www.wasdale.com)
This three-gabled inn, seven miles up a dead-end road, has mountains on three sides. Owned by Kate and Howard Christie, it is popular with climbers and hikers. The inn has its own micro-brewery, while there are traditional dishes in the restaurant and breakfast is 'outstanding: everything that could be present in an enormous fry-up.' Packed lunches and cream teas are available.
B&B £49-£55.
The West Country
15 Porlock Vale House
Porlock Weir, Somerset (01643 862338; www.porlockvale.co.uk)
This 'easy-going' sporting hotel is well known in equestrian circles, but non-horsey visitors can enjoy good walking. The South West Coast Path runs along the boundary and Helen and Kim Youd provide leaflets of other suggested walks. Public rooms have a 'hunting-lodge atmosphere'. Simple, well-prepared food, especially good breakfast.
D,B&B £62-£108.50.
16 Lydgate House
Postbridge, Dartmoor, Devon (01822 880209; www.lydgatehouse.co.uk)
There is good walking from the door at Peter and Cindy Farrington's Victorian country house. Inspectors reported: 'Good value. The atmosphere is friendly; bedrooms are cheerful and well-appointed. Wines are reasonably priced.' In winter, especially, it is 'very special, when the wind howls, and the fog is over the moor.' 'Well-behaved' dogs are welcomed, but not children under 12.
D,B&B £74-£97.
Northamptonshire
17 Pear Trees Country House
West Haddon, (01788 510389; www.pear-trees.co.uk)
'Walkers are spoiled for choice,' say Carolyn and Brian Hyde, whose small guest house is on the Jurassic Way and near the Grand Union Canal. 'He is a wonderful host, she is an excellent cook.' The 18th century building has old oak beams, ancient flagstones and a marble fireplace in the lounge. Optional evening meal has Aga-cooked dishes (bring your own drinks).
B&B £26-£39; dinner £9.99-£14.99.
Scotland
18 Airds
Port Appin, Argyll (01631 730236; www.airds-hotel.com)
'Walking is perhaps the main pastime in the area,' say Shaun and Jenny McKivragan, former guests who returned to buy this old ferry inn. Local walks include the 40-minute Clach Thoull circular route, which starts at the front door; the more adventurous head for Glencoe. Paul Burns was named Scottish Hotel Chef of the Year in 2004 for his modern menus; excellent breakfasts.
D,B&B: £120-£185.
19 The Old Mill Highland Lodge
Talladale, Loch Maree, Highland (01445 760271; www.theoldmillhighlandlodge.co.uk)
There is superb hill walking in this isolated and wild corner of Wester Ross. Chris and Joanna Powell's purpose-built Highland Lodge stands on the site of an old mill opposite Loch Maree. The sun lounge and large upstairs sitting room, with its 'wonderful' view of the peak of Slioch, are full of books and guides. His cooking is admired. Opens 24 March.
D,B&B £70-£80.
Wales
20 Pen-y-Gwryd
Nant Gwynant, Gwynedd (01286 870211; www.pyg.co.uk)
Brian and Jane Pullee's inn at the foot of Snowdonia is not for everyone, but those who love it really love it. Popular with mountaineers, it was the training base for the 1953 Everest expedition. The Pullees insist on 'proper behaviour: no baseball caps indoors, no drinking straight from a bottle'. Packed lunches. Open weekends only until March.
B&B £30-£38.
· The Good Hotel Guide, Great Britain and Ireland 2006 (£16.99), is published by The Good Hotel Guide Ltd, 50 Addison Avenue, London W11 4QP (020 7602 4182; www.goodhotelguide.com).