Langford Fivehead

A gourmet manor house in the Somerset Levels offering indulgent B&B or country-house weekends, plus a self-catering cottage for 6

Langford Fivehead’s imposing hamstone gates and long driveway form an apt approach to a 15th-century manor house, meandering past an ornamental bridge and sweeping parkland shaded by cedar trees. But these grand surroundings belie the relaxed ambiance which greets you behind the heavy oak door; this is a convivial, pampering retreat.

The house was stylishly restored by owners Orlando Murrin and Peter Steggall, who once ran the acclaimed Manoir de Raynaudes in France. Records show a dwelling here since 1251, and former occupants, who include a Civil War Royalist, a famous harpsichord maker and a film director, have all left their mark. Wander through the elm-panelled rooms and you’ll spy 17th-century graffiti scratched into stone lintels and cracked beams from the original hall - along with contemporary comforts like heated flagstone floors and Kevin McCloud lighting.

Upstairs are 7 cossetting bedrooms offering B&B accommodation during the week and country house breaks at weekends; there's also a self-catering cottage for 6 in the grounds. Lounge by the fire in the elegant drawing room, feast on Orlando’s decadent culinary creations and wallow in total serenity.

Highs

• Personable hosts Orlando and Peter have lavished care on every last corner; the feel is luxurious yet laid-back
• It’s a paradise for foodies, with delicious meals and an exciting wine list
• The restful bedrooms are full of treats - antique furniture, crystal decanters of wine, Cath Collins bath elixir, L’Occitane room fragrance
• The secluded setting and 7 acres of bucolic parkland ensure total peace and tranquility
• It's ideal for day trips to historic villages, walking in the Levels, or relaxed games of tennis and croquet back at the house

Lows

• Meals are served communally and the feel is more private house than hotel; I enjoyed this but it's not to everyone's taste
• There's a rumour of ghosts, but we're assured any supernatural visitors are friendly
• Patchy mobile phone coverage
• There are no TVs in the bedrooms, but there’s a big screen in the attic lounge if you need a fix
• It's reached via a winding single-track lane and isn’t signposted - arrive after dark and you might struggle to find it