Hotel of the week: The Crown, Lincolnshire

With its old limestone buildings, Stamford is a "glorious" town that remains, thankfully, a "little-known delight" – and the Crown Hotel allows you to experience it “at its best”, says Fiona Duncan in The Daily Telegraph.

Sadly, this old coaching inn lost some character in a revamp ten years ago ("bold wallpapers are all very well, but is this the place for flamingos?"). But it makes up for that with "modern comforts", great service, a thriving bar, an excellent, "unfussy" restaurant – and some wonderful rooms, with 18th-century panelling, ornate plasterwork and working fireplaces.

Doubles from £120 incl. breakfast.
Contact: 01780-763136; thecrownhotelstamford.co.uk ·