Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa

You couldn't ask for a better location than this handsome stone-built Victorian mansion enjoys on the shores of Lake Windermere. A refit in recent years grafted on a glitzy spa and leisure club, and the elegant Vinand Restaurant completes the package with fabulous views across the lake through a sweeping wall of full-length picture windows. The kitchen has a commitment to sourcing top-class produce as a foundation to its menus of traditional crowd pleasers and straight-up grills. Stornoway black pudding with caramelised apple and bacon salad is a typical starter, followed by slow-braised shoulder of lamb with rosemary and garlic and creamed mash. Desserts keep it simple with the likes of sticky toffee pudding, butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream.