Formerly known as Fayrer Garden, this Lakeland retreat is now reaping the benefits of a major refurb and a change of tack, although most of the original team are still in place – including chef Eddie Wilkinson, who has been at the stoves for more than 20 years. Food-wise, the main event is dinner in the spacious terrace restaurant overlooking Lake Windermere, where the menu offers a blend of British and European flavours based largely on seasonal North Country produce. You might begin with goats’ curd and wild mushroom tortellini with cep tea before tackling cod fillet with sticky chicken wings, potato dumpling, spinach purée and cod broth or loin of Holker Hall venison with soy-glazed beetroot, pearl barley, bitter chocolate, blackberry and port jus. Otherwise, Sunday lunch and afternoon tea (each day) are big occasions.