The competition is now closed and the judges have selected the finalists. Watch this space for further updates.

This year's finalists include: two country cottages, one country house, a townhouse, and an apartment. The single room finalists are: two kitchens.

Each of the finalists will win a photo shoot of their home/room. This will take place before the end of July 2011 (every finalist will be featured in a future issue). The finalists will then be judged by our expert panel to decide which will be named Best Period Renovation, Best Room Makeover and Best Budget Project (finalists will be invited to supply details of all costs spent so far so that our judges can determine who has achieved the most with their budget).

The finalists will also be posted on the website and every visitor will be able to register a vote for his or her favourite room or house. The finalist securing the most online votes by the given deadline will be declared winner of the Readers’ Choice Award.

Each of our four lucky prize winners will win gift vouchers, which can be used at the hotel of their choice from the Pride of Britain Hotels collection – see below for three elegant getaways that are in tranquil locations.

• THE BEST PERIOD RENOVATION winner will be awarded the top prize of £1,000 worth of vouchers.

• THE BEST BUDGET PROJECT winner will receive a £500 voucher.

• THE BEST ROOM MAKEOVER winner will be given a £250 voucher.

• THE READERS’ CHOICE winner will also be rewarded with £250 worth of vouchers.

The four prize winners will be notified by phone or post by 30 September 2011.

The Pride of Britain Hotel Collection

The four prize winners of our Readers’ Awards 2011 will be able to use their gift vouchers at any of the 39 privately owned hotels in the Pride of Britain collection. Here are three of the best.

ABOVE (clockwise from top left): Linthwaite House’s conservatory and terrace has scenic views over Lake Windermere; Rooms at The Priory Hotel offer comfort and luxury in a historic setting; The restaurant at the Lake Country House and spa serves food made from local ingredients; Choose from a range of facilities at the hotel, including a hot tub.

The Priory Hotel in Wareham, Dorset
The Priory Hotel stands in over four acres of idyllic English cottage gardens on the banks of the River Frome. The building’s history stretches back around 1,300 years; for 500 of those there were monks in residence, and before that a convent of nuns. Today, however, abstinence is not the order of the day: the hotel has 18 luxury bedrooms, with Boathouse suites opening on to the river, and cosy rooms in the main house overlooking the gardens. Dinner is served in the Abbots Cellar Restaurant, which provides an atmospheric setting in which to sample the delights of the fine cuisine and wines on offer.

Lake Country House and Spa in Powys, Mid Wales
This welcoming country house, built in 1840, is set in 50 acres with rhododendron-lined pathways, riverside walks and a well-stocked trout lake. The grounds are a haven for wildlife with resident herons, dippers and kingfishers, as well as badgers and swans. With views of the magnificent surroundings, the hotel’s airy rooms are filled with antiques, paintings and fresh flowers. The new spa is a haven for luxury and relaxation, with an inviting hot tub overlooking the lake.

Linthwaite House in Windermere, Cumbria
Linthwaite House is magically situated in over 14 acres of wooded hilltop gardens 400ft above Lake Windermere. The house, which was built in 1900, has recently been sensitively refurbished to offer comfortable and elegant accommodation, with some suites enjoying picturesque lake views. The chefs can be seen hard at work through a new gallery window as they concoct a delicious menu using locally sourced ingredients.

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