Fabulous surroundings and stunning views over Lake Windermere are a huge bonus at Holbeck Ghyll, and there’s plenty going on inside this Victorian country house to hold your interest, too. The old-school dining room reeks of tradition, but the food is bang up-to-date, tempering robust flavours with elegant presentation – perhaps a pressing of guinea fowl, leeks and Agen prunes with hazelnuts, best end of Cumbrian lamb with shallot purée and rosemary jus or crème brûlée matched with apple sorbet, poached apple and cider sauce. A terrace overlooking the lake is ideal for summer alfresco dining, and two cosy lounges (one with a log fire) are perfect for textbook afternoon teas and post-prandial drinks – the wine list is a majestic tour of the oenophile globe, packed with classy drinking and ‘fantastic finds’. In short Holbeck is “totally stunning all round”.