This jolly country inn, between Lake Windermere and Beatrix Potter's Hill Top home, welcomes walkers, dogs and children with smiles, robust food and toasty log-burners.

A relaxing base in the rugged Western Lake District, Faith and Stephen Newell's fantastically secluded B&B is sleekly designed, and has many modern comforts.

For many guests, Hazel Bank is the epitome of a small country-house hotel, offering 'fantastic food, a great wine selection, charming hosts' along with the a picturesque valley setting, captivating views and walks from the doorstep.

'One of the finest dining experiences I've had' was enjoyed by our inspector at this restaurant-with-rooms in a touristy village on the River Eamont, at the head of Ullswater. The former smithy, then post office, was run as a B&B for eight years by Mark and Anne Vause before a rebrand in 2016 with talented young chef Phil Corrie, now an enthusiastic partner in the business. The greeting is warm and check-in fast and efficient; our inspector was pleasantly surprised to find complimentary prosecco in the bright, colourful room, with striped and patterned cushions and Designers Guild floral wallpaper. Extras include locally produced coffee bags, gingerbread and toiletries; local artwork adorns the walls. Modern bathrooms have rainfall showers; two rooms also have a bath. At dinner, 'each course was exquisitely presented', including 'perfectly cooked turbot with its pretty decoration of edible flowers'. The 'flavour sensation' continued with lemon verbena: 'one of the finest desserts I have eaten'. 'The staff were attentive and friendly and knew their menu well.' Overall, the experience was 'hard to beat – we left with a definite promise to return'.

With an enviable position on Windermere, this Georgian hall has a relaxed country house feel, with formal and casual dining options, and bedrooms ranging from family friendly to seriously swanky.

Beyond a tree-lined drive, this Victorian villa, home to a small country house hotel, is in the safe hands of new owners Simon and Kate Hustler.

Refreshingly different from some of the more traditional Lake District offerings, this contemporary hotel is in a beautiful setting overlooking Grasmere.

They're serious about their food at this idyllic manor house hotel on the outskirts of Ambleside, with walks from the door and superb facilities for both humans and their four-legged friends.

Banish images of fast-food outlets and slot machines when you break your journey at Tebay on wild and woolly Shap Fell, 60 miles from the Scottish border.

To find a gem in a quiet corner of the visitor-thronged Lake District is not easy, but this smart village inn in the lovely Lyth valley is, as one reader reports, 'always a favourite'.

With its towers and battlements this Victorian-folly castle, in 15 acres of grounds, looks imposing yet 'you actually feel like it is your castle'.

This 'splendid old inn' in a market town between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales deftly mixes historic charm – beams, crackling fires and exposed stonework – with an updated, modern touch.

In a Lyth valley village on the edge of the Lake District, Becky and Ash Dewar transformed a 16th-century hostelry into this family-friendly village pub.

'A friendly, proper local pub bar, as well as a restaurant', this 18th-century coaching inn at the heart of the Lowther Estate is set back from the A6, with a view of fields and grazing horses

Cosy, low-ceilinged and wood fire-warmed, this smartly refurbished 17th-century pub in the centre of a Lake District village is 'friendly, fun and very convivial'.

Ten minutes from Wordsworth's Grasmere, a Victorian mansion has been completely made over to create this super-luxury hotel with Michelin-starred dining and superb accommodation.

Welcoming owners ensure guests' dogs feel at home at their country house B&B, an elegant retreat in the Eden valley, with well-appointed bedrooms in the main house and coach house, and first-class breakfasts.

In three wooded acres, this former private country house combines spacious accommodation, contemporary comforts, spectacular valley views and a restaurant showcasing Cumbrian produce.

Just a short walk from the tourist honeypot of Grasmere, an extended Victorian country house in wooded gardens, on the River Rothay, set against a backdrop of fells, is now in the ownership of Bespoke Hotels.

There is a 'special character' about this timeless hotel, a Victorian villa in landscaped gardens overlooking Morecambe Bay.