Aynsome Manor overlooks the 12th century Priory in Cartmel, an attractive village at the southern end of the Lake District. It is family owned and the oldest parts of the manor date back to 1512, with later Georgian additions. There are 12 bedrooms, including a four-poster, a family room and two in a separate cottage.

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The Britannia Inn is a 500-year old hostelry nestling in the picturesque village of Elterwater in the heart of the Langdale valley, perfectly located for a choice of walks, ranging from a light stroll to high level fell walking. The inn provides an eclectic dining exoerience and two cosy bars serve a selection of Cumbrian ales.

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The Brown Horse Inn is in the tranquil Winster Valley, a short distance from Bowness-on-Windermere.The nine bedrooms have recently been refurbished to a high standard. The bar offers a fine selection of ales, including some produced in the Brown Horse’s own onsite micro brewery, the Winster Valley.

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Linthwaite House sits in 14 acres of wooded hilltop gardens, overlooking Lake Windermere. In the grounds there are walks, abundant wildlife and even a tarn, where trout have been caught. The restaurant has been awarded three red AA stars and two rosettes (Inspectors’ Choice).Only 20 miles from the M6, Linthwaite is within easy reach of Bowness, Hill Top and the many attractions of the Lake District.

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Gilpin Lodge is a top notch Relais et Chateaux family owned hotel near Lake Windermere. It has recently opened the Lake House, an annexe of six stunning suites, which have their own pool, boathouse and hot tub. There is a shuttle car to the main house. Cuisine has three AA rosettes and décor is lively, each room having a different style.

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Holbeck Ghyll is an iconic Lake District hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant and has recently been ranked 23rd nationwide in a Good Food Guide survey. Its position is unique, looking towards the Langdale Fells and surrounded on all sides by Cumbria’s natural beauty. Some of the suites have been designed with families in mind.

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Rothay Manor has 19 smart bedrooms, including the recently expanded Loft Suites on the top floor. Families are welcome and high tea is available. From October to May the hotel organises themed holidays based on music, antiques, painting, walking and gardening. The hotel was a Cumbria Tourism Board Small Hotel of the Year finalist in 2010.

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Rothay Garden Hotel, Grasmere, has recently undergone a major refurbishment, whereby new top floor suites were opened as well as the Riverside Spa, offering a hydrospa, aromatherapy and a Reflexology Walk. Private treatments can be enjoyed in the privacy of one’s own bedroom. Many rooms have their own patios or balconies.

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Ees Wyke Country House overlooks Esthwaite and is a country house with a fine restaurant. It was once the holiday home of Beatrix Potter and is near Hill Top Farm, where the author used to live, now looked after by the National Trust. The dining room and most of the eight bedrooms overlook the beautiful forest and fells of one of the least spoiled parts of the Lake District.

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Ennerdale Country House Hotel is on the banks of one of the smaller Western lakes, Ennerdale Water. It nestles in five acres of tranquil landscaped gardens, peppered with Italian fountains and figurines. The Ravenglass narrow gauge railway starts nearby, as does the coast-to-coast walk. Four luxury rooms have four-poster beds and Jacuzzis.

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