Right on the doorstep of England’s foodie heaven TREEMENDOUS

Brydon dined in the first series of their BBC Two show The Trip.

Horse lovers know Cartmel for its racetrack, right in the heart of the village, which draws huge crowds a few times a year.

Be warned though, finding a parking spot on race day isn’t for the fainthearted so you’re better off leaving the car outside town and walking in.

The track is part of the 17,000 acre Holker Estate, at the heart of which stands grand Holker Hall, ancestral home of the Cavendish family.

There has been a house at Holker – it’s pronounced Hooker – since the 16th Century, but in 1871 a fire destroyed the old west wing of the house and it had to be rebuilt.

It’s this part of the hall which is now open to visitors and it’s well worth popping in.

The Cavendish family are keen that it remains a home, not a museum, so visitors are made welcome. There are no ropes or barriers to keep people out and you are free to wander.

The rooms have changed little over the past 100 years and have hosted the likes of Queen Mary and former prime minister Harold Macmillan, whose wife Lady Dorothy was born there.

Holker’s magnificent gardens attract visitors from as far away as China.

There are areas of formal planting, spectacular fountains and water features, plus 200 acres of parkland with roaming deer.

A must-see is the mighty Great Holker Lime, an ancient tree with a trunk almost eight metres in diameter. In 2002 it was named one of 50 Great British Trees to mark the Queen’s golden jubilee.

It’s a jaw-dropping sight and was the perfect spot to end an all too short visit to an area that’s full of surprises. See superbreak.com or dial 0800 042 0288. YORKSHIRE: Clevelyn Cottage is in the heart of Staithes, two minutes from the harbour, beach, pubs, boutique shops and tea rooms. Sleeps six and pets are welcome. Seven nights arriving on July 29 is £790. See sykescottages. co.uk or phone 01244 617 683. LAS VEGAS: Hit the Strip on a four-night room-only break at the four-star Monte Carlo Resort and Casino for £643. Fly from Birmingham on June 1. Book at traveltrolley. co.uk or dial 0208 843 4400. BRITTANY CAMPING: Pay £144 for a seven-night holiday for two adults and up to four children at Camping Les 2 Fontaines in Raguenes. Stay in a four-bedroom Espace tent. Ferry crossings can be arranged. Arrive on Saturday. See venueholidays.co.uk or dial 01233 629 950. GREECE: Go from Gatwick on June 14 for 11 nights on a club board basis at the five-star Neilson Retreat Beachclub in Sivota on the island of Lefkada for £745. Call 0333 014 3350. MED CRUISE/PARIS STAY: A 10-night cruise on board MSC Armonia including a three-night stay in Paris is £999. Depart from London St Pancras on June 15. See iglucruise.com. NICE FLY/DRIVE: Book by Friday for flight from Heathrow and seven days’ economy car hire for £149 per person. Travel dates from June 1 to 30. See ba.com/car.