The Leopold Hotel, Sheffield

It's about 350 miles from Keswick to Devizes and I didn't fancy driving a long way at night. So on my way back from sailing, I stopped off in Sheffield. It gave me a chance to wander about in the Peak District, a tamer version of the Lakes but still somewhere I've had some great walks and good memories. And I stayed at the Leopold Hotel, "Sheffield's first boutique hotel". It opened in 2007 after several years of renovations. It's built on the former site of a Grade II listed Boys Grammar School and still has some of the original touches. It's individual, central, about the same price as a Holiday Inn and wonderfully accessible. There are fold-down shower seats, bathrobes, masses of space, good height beds, wonderful room service. Fabulous. I'm tempted to go back to Sheffield and explore the city just for an excuse to stay there again.