WHAT could be nicer for any visitor than to spend a sunny March day or two in York, before repairing to The Farthings guest house, today named as among the top 20 in the country?

In an era of soulless, homogeneous hotels, the personal touch provided by Bill and Barbara Dickson is extra-special.

Unhappily, we are now into a rainy, blustery April. But that only means guests will treasure even more the warmth of the Farthings welcome - and its finest cooked breakfast.

Updated: 10:42 Tuesday, April 01, 2003