Ees Wyke Country House

With views over Esthwaite Water, a friendly welcome and high-quality home-cooked food, this Georgian house ticks all the boxes for ‘a warm, comfortable, traditional, country house hotel’. Chef and owner Richard Lee ensures the handsome, whitewashed building with traditionally furnished rooms – floral-print sofas, lamps on side tables, dado panelling, open fires – has the feel of an inviting family home. Bedrooms have soft colours, pretty wallpapers, a sprinkling of antiques and decanters of sherry. Even the cosier, beamed rooms on the second floor have space for armchairs to enjoy ‘quite stunning views of Esthwaite Water and the fells beyond’. Bathrooms, mainly shower only, have luxurious amenities. Richard’s cooking is ‘of a very high standard’ and produces a daily-changing short-choice menu which could include roast duckling breast with thyme, ginger and honey followed by spiced pear poached in red wine. Vegan and vegetarian dishes upon request. ‘Hugely enjoyable’ breakfasts offer fresh juices, home-made bread and marmalade, haddock and a Lakeland grill. ‘Wonderfully helpful and friendly staff.’ (John Southern, TH)