Gilpin Hotel

The Lake District


Windermere's B&Bs might be pushing up their rates to silly levels, but this famously posh country-house retreat shows them how it should be done. The fabulously fancy rooms are named after fells, garden suites have their own decks and outdoor hot tubs, and the exclusive Lake House nearby comes with its own chauffeur.

A superb Michelin-starred restaurant, a lovely spa and hectares of grounds complete the high-class package.