Chris Hudson enjoys a break in the Lake District

A view of Blea Tarn, a short, and only slightly strenuous, walk away from the New Dungeon Ghyll.

The Lake District is a walkers’ paradise, attracting tourists from around the world who all want to enjoy its beauty and climb its enchanting fells.

With boots, maps, rucksacks, waterproofs and all other paraphernalia packed, you just need somewhere to stay.

Many throw the tent in the boot or hitch the caravan onto the back of the car and prepare to rough it. But there is another way.

Sometimes, a night under canvas just won’t do, and nipping out of a motorhome in the dark and stumbling your way to the toilet can be a real bore.

If it’s a little slice of luxury and pampering you are looking for while exploring the second largest National Park in the UK (the Cairngorms pips it, if you were wondering), then you would be well advised to consider the magnificent New Dungeon Ghyll.

Dwarfed by the challenging fells of the Great Langdales, its setting borders on the magical.

Yet its welcome is homely and it’s comfort bewitching after a long journey – either by car or foot.

I visited with my fiancée Rachel on the first weekend of July and was blessed with golden sunshine for three wonderful days.

Staying on a dinner, bed and breakfast deal, the New Dungeon Ghyll proved a perfect location for a much-needed escape from the stresses of our busy working lives.

Our room on the first floor of the 19th century building offered spectacular views combined with modern decor and a stylish en-suite shower room that certainly met with our approval.

After three hours on the motorway, we headed straight from a refreshing shower to the bar for a much-needed drink to begin our holiday.

The New Dungeon Ghyll includes the Walkers’ Bar, a homely room with a large beer garden offering spectacular views while you take in the sun with a quiet pint.

With real ale from the Wainwright’s Brewery on tap, I was right at home – and there was plenty of choice for Rachel, a non-ale drinker, as well.

Walkers is open to hotel guests and non-residents alike and we quickly realised it was a popular spot for ramblers to take a break either after, or even in the middle of an exerting stroll through one of the most scenic parts of the Lake District.

It’s a location that clearly attracts repeat visitors and we even found ourselves talking to a couple from Manchester that had so fallen in love with the New Dungeon Ghyll that they had booked it for their wedding reception.

Judging by the food we were able to sample during our stay, that will doubtless be a grand occasion as well.

On our first evening, we opted for the five-course dinner in the hotel’s dining room, which offers views over a neat and well-kept garden.

There were plenty of options on what was certainly an appetising menu and I was very happy with my oriental chicken starter as well as the soup that followed.

The main course, belly pork, was presented beautifully and melted in my mouth, while the ginger pudding was also most satisfying.

To complete a fine experience, we retired to the lounge with our fellow diners, where we were served coffee and petit fours.

Whether it was the food, the clean country air or a combination of the two I do not know, but we slept soundly that night before reporting for breakfast the following morning at around 8.30am.

I opted for a full cooked breakfast while Rachel was more reserved, making the most of the cereal and fruit options also on offer.

It set us up perfectly for a day’s walking and we were keen to get out and explore. Neither of us knowing this corner of the Lakes particularly well, we were particularly grateful to the hotel for its selection of locally-written books – all offering walks starting from the hotel, giving clear directions and instructions as well as advice on the fitness levels required.

Eager to make the most of our time but also to enjoy a relaxing weekend, we opted for a five-mile walk that took us up to the stunning Blea Tarn, a remote beauty spot where we were able to happily idle away a happy half-hour with our toes tipped in the crystal clear water.

We were able to return to the hotel by early afternoon and plan a quick afternoon trip to the town of Ambleside, a mere 20 minutes’ drive away.

But for walkers opting for a more lengthy and strenuous walk, the hotel again has your culinary needs sorted by offering packed lunches.

Priced at £7.25, they include sandwiches with a choice of fillings as well as crisps, a chocolate bar, an energy bar, a tomato, a piece of fruit, water and orange juice. Plenty, surely, to sustain the most intrepid of hikers.

From Ambleside – a picturesque town with a myriad of pleasant shops and cafés – we headed back to our hotel for a relaxing evening.

Determined to try everything the New Dungeon Ghyll had to offer, we reluctantly resisted the five-course dinner this time to try the hearty offerings available on the bar menu.

Again, we were struck by the breadth of options available and the quality was just as high as we had experienced in the dining room a day earlier.

Our evening was completed with in-house entertainment from a singer, accompanied rather wonderfully by a talented electric violinist.

After another wholesome breakfast the next morning, the time had come to depart the New Dungeon Ghyll and, still determined to make the most of our break, we took the long way round by calling in on the town of Keswick – a favourite haunt of ours – before setting off on the road for home.

We have been to the Lakes many times before and return for the start of our honeymoon in November, so our enthusiasm for this unspoilt corner of the British Isles is clear.

Never before, though, have we been able to enjoy our visit in such style.

The New Dungeon Ghyll promised plenty and it delivered in every single way. I cannot wait to go back.

Travel Guide

• New Dungeon Ghyll is located near Ambleside on the north end of Windermere.

• Prices vary between seasons, and begin at £59 per person per night for bed & breakfast in the coming autumn season. For details and booking, visit www.dungeon-ghyll.co.uk