STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

This four-star townhouse hotel has 41 bedrooms, half of which have views across Lake Windermere. The traditional slate exterior gives way to designer reception, dining and lounge areas with polished wood floors, leather sofas and modern lighting. Contemporary artwork and landscape photography complete the picture. The friendly welcome, which extends to guests with dogs, ensures warmth as well as style.

SLEEPING MATTERS

There are three grades of room including house, classic and luxury lake view. We were in the last named. The bright white bedroom had a super-king sized bed, leather armchairs and bold fabrics. The ensuite bathroom continued the modern theme with white tiles striped with slate inlays. All rooms have televisions and DVD players.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The Bar and Grill restaurant is decorated with a blend of designer wallpaper and wood panelling. Staff are helpful and discreet. The menu is heavily influenced by what’s available from the area and contains many gluten-free options. The wine list ranges from the £280-a-bottle Laurent Perrier Alexandra Rose to house wines at £20. Our food choices included a black pudding and haggis scotch egg and a tomato and feta risotto ball followed by sirloin steak and Cumbrian lamb shank. The white chocolate creme brulee was the highlight of the dessert menu. Breakfast was equally good and ranged from the full English to pancakes and bacon.

DRINK IN THE SIGHTS

The gin bar has 60 varieties including bottles from Spain, Finland and New Zealand.

NICE TOUCH

There’s a bottle of whisky in the breakfast room for those wishing to add a dram to their morning porridge.

B&B in a double room from £142 based on two sharing. Visit englishlakes.co.uk/waterhead