Guests are assured of ‘friendliness and an outstanding welcome’ from second-generation owners Christopher and Andrea Varley at this ‘lovely hotel in the heart of quiet countryside’.

For more than a century, the Baldry family’s ancient farmhouse has stood in this remote, ‘very special setting’, where the ‘fantastic views’ reach over the garden and the sheep-dotted fields to the fells beyond.

There are open fires here, and views of Skiddaw; the traditional chintz and prints are ‘part of the charm’, says a devotee in 2017.

‘It’s a home away from home,’ chorus fans in 2017 of the Bennett family’s ‘stunning, well-preserved’ 19th-century pile striking a pose in rambling grounds in the Eden valley.

‘There’s a feeling of complete well-being about the place,’ write Guide readers in 2017 of the Dunning family’s hotel and upmarket farm shop just off the M6.

There’s a ‘homely atmosphere’ and ‘a sense of cosy welcome’ at this unpretentious, gabled Edwardian country house overlooking Lake Windermere and Coniston Fells.

‘What a glorious setting.’ For more than 300 years, fell walkers and climbers have sought the views and comforts from this unpretentious, dog-friendly inn at the head of the Great Langdale valley.

‘Helpful, charming, welcoming staff’ make a stay at this ‘beautiful’ 19th-century stone-and-slate country house a ‘relaxing experience’.

‘Old fashioned, but none the worse for that’, the Read family’s traditional hotel enjoys a loyal following.

Families are ‘warmly welcomed’ at this early Victorian country house, ‘ideally positioned’ for exploring the Catbells and Borrowdale valley.

Let the hillside setting and leafy copses around this Victorian country house capture the imagination – they inspired Beatrice Potter to pen the adventures of her many woodland creatures.

A meander from the River Lune, this 17th-century inn by the old churchyard in the historic market town reserves a special welcome for walkers and their dogs.

A lively spot, this family-friendly hotel on the banks of the River Leven stands in sweeping gardens, and has a cheery mix of colours and prints inside.

The views are ‘stunning’ from this privately owned, ivy-clad Victorian hunting lodge standing in large grounds above Lake Windermere, the panorama of fells stretching wide.