In a Knights Templar village with a backdrop of imposing Cross Fell mountain, a Georgian mansion and converted coach house are home to a personable small hotel.

Far from the hurrying world, this former coaching Iinn stands amid Wordsworth’s northern Lakes.

‘This continues to be a very dependable oasis,’ writes a trusted reader and regular visitor to this country house hotel (Relais & Châteaux), between the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage site.

Warm hospitality, centuries-old architecture and ‘beautiful countryside’ again delighted loyal fans of this ‘exceptionally good-value oasis of peace and tranquillity.’

For almost 120 years, the Baldry family have welcomed guests to their ancient farmhouse overlooking Lake Ullswater. ‘Wonderfully old-fashioned’ or ‘lost in time’, it’s a Marmite sort of hotel

A ‘wonderful hot tub in the grounds’ is one of the unexpected delights of Hazel Thompson’s B&B in the Vale of Lorton, close to Loweswater, Buttermere and Crummock Water.

Cumbrian comforts abound at this ‘well-kept’ Edwardian country house hotel, in three-acre grounds in a ‘beautiful setting’ in the Borrowdale valley.

An unpretentious, gabled Arts and Crafts country house has ‘tantalising’ views of Lake Windermere and Coniston Fells.

We hear a perennial chorus of approval from fans of Wendy and Simon Bennett’s family-friendly Victorian fantasy castle in the Eden valley, between Lake District and Yorkshire Dales.

‘Such a comfortable place.’ ‘Peaceful and restful.’ ‘Great hotel.’ Several of our readers are regulars at Glynis and Simon Wood’s family-run Lakeland village hotel in the Wordsworth heartlands.

Homely character, tumbling views and relaxed efficiency – the key elements of Sue and Peter Robinson’s Arts and Crafts house.

‘An ideal base to explore Wainwright’s favourite fells or absorb the poetic delights of Wordsworth’, Kevin and Nicki Winsland’s small country hotel has reaching views across to the river Rothay.

Right at the water’s edge, Robert Lyons and Lesley Wheeler’s pub-with-rooms is ‘an amiable, comfortable place’ that draws regular returnees year after year.

Fell walkers, climbers – including some of Britain's greatest mountaineers – and sleepy travellers have sought this unpretentious, dog-friendly inn, in a ‘glorious setting’, for more than 300 years.

‘Wonderfully old-fashioned’, the Read family’s traditional hotel ‘continues to tick all the right boxes’.

‘Glorious fell views’, ‘excellent food’ and ‘capable, obliging staff’ are found at this family-friendly spot at the foot of Skiddaw.

The sun and moon make their haste, but this 400-year-old inn near the river Lune remains a dependably restful spot for travellers, walkers and their dogs.

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.

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

Bedrooms overlook the duck pond and eponymous weeping willow at Andrew and Sarah McGrillis’s modern B&B in its own grounds off the A69, a mile from the M6.

‘Comfortable, warm and reliable,’ say readers this year, who stayed, on journeys north and south, at the Dunning family’s hotel with farm shop off the M6.

A mile outside Keswick, surrounded by fells and splendid scenery, stands Craig and Clare Dalton’s welcoming, good-value Edwardian guest house.

The verdant surrounds of this hillside Victorian country house have moved visitors since the late 19th century.

Visitors to Diana Lewthwaite’s country house in Beatrix Potter country are guaranteed a colourful welcome – its grounds, designed into ‘garden rooms’, provide blooms across all seasons.