Linthwaite House, Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District

It's only a mile from Blackwell, a superb example of the Arts and Crafts style and another house with fabulous lake views.

The hotel is a three-minute drive or 20-minute walk from Bowness, on the Western shores of Lake Windemere.
By car: 1 hour 30 minutes from Manchester, 3 hours from Edinburgh and just under 5 hours from London. There is free parking on-site.
By train: trains run from Manchester Piccadilly (just over 1 hour), London Euston (3 hours) and Edinburgh (2 hours) to Oxenholme Lake District station. The hotel is a 25-minute taxi ride from the station. thetrainline.com

While families are welcome, this is more a place for chilling out than running around, although there are walks - and wellies to borrow - from the hotel. It was lovely to come back to a grown-up drink in the stylish cocktail bar after a day getting wet and wind-blown on a walk.

It's great to be able to pull on walking boots and go for a walk straight from the hotel, and then leave them in the porch to dry off afterwards. Dogs are welcomed with a bowl, blanket and treats.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Coffee house
• Family rooms
• Facilities for disabled guests

• 24-hour front desk

• Free parking
• Outdoor games
• Rowing boats
• Pet-friendly

While not all rooms have lake views, they do all have a wonderful feeling of serenity, which is beautifully calming. If you've a well-padded wallet, the Lakes Suites in cedar-clad buildings a five-minute walk from the hotel have a cool Scandi style, floor-to-ceiling windows and feel very private.

Classic, Luxury, View and Deluxe Rooms, Junior, Hot Tub, Loft and The Lake suites
Facilities include: ensuite bathroom with underfloor heating, heated towel rail, walk-in shower, spacious bathrooms for wheelchair access

Wines are stiffly priced but many are from small, interesting producers plus there's a great selection by the glass if you want to experiment. We love the roasted carrots, cooked sous-vide with roasted black garlic to sticky yumminess.

Henrock: elegant restaurant by Simon Rogan with a focus on local ingredients. Internationally-influenced á la carte menu served daily. Mains from £26. Lunch and afternoon tea available in the Bar & Conservatory.