The Reading Rooms, Margate

There are just two bedrooms in this grand Georgian Margate townhouse run by Louise Oldfield and Liam Nabb who previously owned a creative agency together. Built in the 1770s, the couple have restored the building’s original proportions and then stripped the walls to reveal historic finishes. The name was inspired by Margate’s 18th-century reading rooms and, after opening in 2009, it was one of the first properties to play a part in the seaside town’s renaissance. There are no communal spaces so, brilliantly, breakfast is served to the bedrooms at a time of choosing: fresh baked sourdough and eggs cooked to order along with a newspaper of choice. A design stay which has stood the test of time.

31 Hawley Square, Margate, Kent CT9 1PH | thereadingroomsmargate.co.uk

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The ‘Garden Room’ at Five Acre Barn, with lofty ceilings and a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery.

Five Acre Barn, Suffolk

David Woodbine and Bruce Badrock moved from Peckham to the Suffolk coast to take on the renovation of this barn outside Aldeburgh. It was worth it. Working alongside London-based architects Blee Hannigan, the property later received a RIBA award in appreciation of its angular roof and cedar shingle cladding. These days, Bruce takes care of breakfast, which could be smoked salmon with scrambled eggs or homemade potato latkes, as well as afternoon tea and cake in the main barn. Outside, the barns were originally surrounded by (five acres of) conifer woodland that David has slowly turned into a pretty patchwork of wildflowers and cottage planting. A contemporary, rural escape.

Aldeburgh Road, Leiston, Suffolk IP16 4QH | fiveacrebarn.co.uk

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‘Ebron’ at Chapel House with magnificent 180 degree sea views across Mount’s Bay

Chapel House, Penzance

Susan Stuart moved from London to the Cornish coast in 2012 and spent three years converting the Penzance Arts Club into this six-room B&B. Bedrooms are bright white with pops of colour coming from the upholstery, but crucially all have sea views. Downstairs, there’s a sitting room which guests are welcome to use as well as a garden where you’ll find a sauna, hot tub, and cold plunge. Every morning Susan serves green berry juices and smoked Newlyn sardines at a communal dining table and on Saturday nights her supper clubs are the town’s hot ticket – bringing locals into the mix for fun Cornish seafood feasts.