As the morning mist lifts its sleepy head, Lake Windermere comes tantalisingly into view once more. I’m curled up on a velvet window seat in my room at the Holbeck Ghyll hotel with a cup of tea, watching the day unfold. Arriving here made me feel like a child again, flinging myself on the four poster bed before running to the window and pressing my nose against it to inhale the rugged scenery.
The Lake District is my favourite place for a special escape with friends or a loved one. You can put the world to rights and gain some much needed perspective climbing a fell or watching the landscape come in and out of view across a misty lake. Take to the water, try out watersports or a boat or steamer trip. You can quickly lose the tourists once you start a hike, yet you’ll truly appreciate tourism when it comes to the choice of eateries to refuel in after a hike, and quality of places to rest your head after a full day.
From Arts and Crafts hunting lodges, to contemporary country houses, to funky love shacks and hygge infused town centre hideaways, there is a boutique hotel experience to suit everyone in the Lakes.