Local couple Gary and Donna MacRae ‘revel’ in making their Borrowdale valley hotel ‘welcoming, relaxed – so enjoyable’. ‘It is in a magical setting, with lawns rolling down to a small river, and hills looming up into the mist. We approached the charming Victorian country house over a sweet little stone bridge, across a gurgling stream. When we arrived, we were given tea and ginger cake in the sitting room.’ ‘Well-equipped, comfortable’ bedrooms, each with ‘wonderful views’, are supplied with fresh flowers, bottled water, truffles on the tea tray. The bathrooms have been refurbished this year. Graze on canapés in the log fire-warmed sitting room (‘guests are encouraged to mingle’) before sitting down to an ‘excellent’ candlelit four-course dinner, perhaps including Cumbrian smoked trout pâté, gooseberry sauce; seared fillet of Gressingham duck breast, dauphinoise celeriac. After a ‘very good’ breakfast – perhaps while watching the red squirrels in the garden – head outside. ‘Walking the fells can be addictive’, and the hotel, with ‘truly superb’ hikes starting from the door, is well placed for those who gladly succumb.