Storrs Hall – Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria

An elegant Grade II*-listed Georgian mansion on the shores of Lake Windermere, surrounded by 17 acres of gardens and woodland. The main house is home to the lake view restaurant, drawing room and striking Victorian bar from Blackpool Tower. The bedrooms here are all different (and include spacious family rooms) as befits the original architecture but all have modern bathrooms. The beautiful vistas from the south lawn are the backdrop to afternoon drinks and a leisurely lunch. There are also six contemporary, self-contained Lakeside Suites set around a courtyard garden, with generous spaces and sliding glass walls that open to a private patio with a hot tub. The original Boathouse is the ultimate in secluded luxury: it has a hot tub, firepit and seating on the edge of the lake. The interior is open plan, and there’s a steam room in the marbleclad bathroom. Take out the hotel’s vintage Thames Slipperlaunch for a private lake tour or staff can arrange all kinds of activities from canoeing to ghyll scrambling. Ideally located for easy access from the M6, and exploring the Lake District national Park.

Doubles from £250 

+44 (0)1539 447111; storrshall.com