W ith award-winning dining, pubs off the beaten track, and idyllic places to stay, there may be no finer setting than Cumbria to seal or reignite romance.
The region is bursting with scenery. It is home to England's largest national park too, the Lake District, with its serene valleys and captivating lakes. The view at Wastwater is incredible: England's deepest lake is surrounded by mountains including Scafell Pike, England's highest. If you prefer the comfort of an armchair, head to the Miller Howe hotel in Windermere, where afternoon tea is taken overlooking the lake.
Relish the Ambleside scenery, and divine food at the Samling hotel, named "best dining hotel in the world" at the 2012 Boutique Hotel Awards. It serves dishes such as locally sourced Lake District farmers beef rib. For a secluded location and views across the Whinlatter forest valley and Skiddaw, pick the oak or ash room at the Cottage in the Wood hotel, a 17th-century coaching inn. From here, you can spend days discovering the lakes of Bassenthwaite, Derwentwater, Buttermere and Crummock Water.
There's also the Eskdale valley with its gorges and waterfalls. The Woolpack Inn's menu includes the local delicacy of tatie pot (a mouth-watering mix of lamb, black pudding and potatoes) to stupendous pizzas. For lush countryside, escape to the Eden valley. The 800-year-old Lowther Castle & Gardens is perfect for postcard views and homemade afternoon tea at its Courtyard cafe.
And you can go back to 1875 with a trip on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway. Or (between April and November) enjoy Coniston Water on the rebuilt Victorian steam-powered yacht gondola, stopping off for some walking at the Tarn Hows beauty spot.
