With its towers and battlements this Victorian-folly castle, in 15 acres of grounds, looks imposing yet 'you actually feel like it is your castle'.

To find a gem in a quiet corner of the visitor-thronged Lake District is not easy, but this smart village inn in the lovely Lyth valley offers 'top-notch food', 'great service' and country-style bedrooms.

Bring the dog, bring the kids, revel in the gorgeous scenery and the great outdoors at this ‘lifestyle hotel’ with private shorefront on Ullswater and plenty of activities on offer. It's the old, staid Rampsbeck Hotel reinvented (out with the chintz and swags, on with the wetsuits or hiking boots!)

The South African Leeu Collection's Edwardian country house in wooded, landscaped grounds above Windermere is a haven of civilised living, with casual and fine dining options, woodland hot-tub suites, and views to take the breath away.

The River Rothay runs past the back garden of this small country-house hotel with attractive, individually styled bedrooms and good food.

In a market town between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, this pub with rooms deftly mixes historic charm – beams, crackling fires and exposed stonework – with an updated, modern touch.

Lakeland luxury at its finest comes courtesy of Gilpin, with its Michelin-starred dining, private hot tubs in the majority of its indulgent rooms and attentive staff. Its flagship rooms are extravagantly large glass-cube spa suites that extend over a pond and offer private garden, spa room and circular bath.

In a Lyth valley village on the edge of the Lake District, Becky and Ash Dewar have transformed a 16th-century hostelry into a welcoming village pub. The beamed bar in the former 16th-century hostelry has cask ales, craft beers and cocktails made with locally produced spirits.

A 'sprawling, traditional building in a beautiful setting' at the tip of Windermere, this family and dog-friendly hotel has easy access to lake-based activities as well as a spa.

Mark Birchall holds two Michelin stars and a Michelin Green star at this centuries-old hall with designer bedrooms, some with a lake view, where prospective guests must join a waiting list and expect to pay a high price for the meal of a lifetime.

Hrishikesh Desai's innovative, Michelin-starred cooking is just one of the attractions at this luxury country-house hotel in beautifully maintained gardens deep in the Cumbrian countryside.

Hipping Hall will be closing permanently on the 24th July 2023. Between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District – and just ten minutes from the M6 – Hipping Hall is a surprising foodie find with understated yet luxurious bedrooms, spacious gardens and a relaxed atmosphere.

In the tranquil Lorton Vale north of Buttermere, this whitewashed farmhouse B&B and popular wedding venue with lawned gardens mixes rustic authenticity with modern comforts in its spacious bedrooms with oak beams, exposed stone and antiques.

Every bedrooms is special at this impressive red-sandstone mansion, home to a dog-friendly, country-house guesthouse on a wooded estate overlooking the River Eden, where at night in the elegant dining room, guests sit down to a home-cooked dinner of locally sourced produce.

A 'superbly positioned Art Deco wonder', the former railway hotel overlooking the sand flats of Morecambe Bay was restored to its iconic glory by the English Lakes group.

Beyond its imposing colonnade and Tudor revival upper storeys, this grand Victorian hotel balances superb professional service with friendliness, and brasserie fare with refined dining.

Set in wooded gardens on the River Rothay, this Victorian slate-built country-house hotel and spa, just a stroll from the village, has smart contemporary bedrooms, many with a terrace or balcony, and a short but appealing menu served in the glass-walled restaurant.

This charming B&B and events venue has plenty of space, with bedrooms in a 19th-century house and coach house, three lounges, well-stocked kitchen and extensive grounds.