Lakeland’s little Secrets

Think it’s impossible to find quiet spots in the now Unesco-recognised Lake District? Bridget has searched out a few

Unless you’ve been hibernating under a rock, you may be aware the Lake District has just been recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.

Famous for its jaw-dropping scenery, this is the UK’s first national park to be awarded such elevated status – now rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.

The Unesco committee praised the Lake District’s stunning scenery, farming and the cultural inspiration it has given artists, poets and writers (William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and JMW Turner, to name but a few).

Yet it also warned the impact of tourism should be monitored and requested improvements in conservation.

I reckon balancing the two is as tall an order as Scafell Pike – incidentally, the highest peak in England that dominates the Lakes landscape, among many other challenging craggy summits.

I truly hope the Unesco recognition will boost conservation and the increase in tourists won’t affect the beauty of the area they’ve come to enjoy – climbing, walking, mountain biking, horse riding, golfing, sailing and cruising on the lakes.

You see, the Lake District is a favourite haunt of mine. When I lived in Glasgow and was dating my now Yorkshireman husband Simon, we used to meet half way in Keswick at weekends.

Now that we’re married, it’s still an easy-to-drive-to weekend getaway, preferably with our dog Minnie in tow, who of course loves the walks, seeking out any Peter Rabbits she can find.

Yet, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get away from everyone else, particularly around the honeypot villages of Keswick, Ambleside, Grasmere and Bowness-on-Windermere during summertime.

So I’m going to let you into a little secret – I’ve found a few locations far enough from the madding crowds to find some peace and quiet.

Bassenthwaite Lake in the north of the National Park (and therefore near the Scottish border) is tucked away on its own, three miles from Keswick.

Most of the shoreline is privately owned but you can share in the pictureperfect lakeside views from the two rosette restaurant and luxury rooms if you choose to stay at four-star, historic Armathwaite Hall Country House and Spa (armathwaite-hall.com).

Like your own Downton Abbey, they even welcome dogs and are familyfriendly, too, with pool times for children and reduced entry fees for the Lake District Wildlife Park next door.

Although a member of the prestigious Pride of Britain Hotels, it feels so unstuffy that guests dine in the less formal Courtyard Bar and Brasserie in robes and slippers. They are enjoying the spa, of course – not just too lazy to get dressed – and the thermal experiences and outdoor hot tub are a haven.

It’s a similar scene, though much more contemporary, at five-star Brimstone Hotel (brimstonehotel. co.uk) in the Langdale Estate, near the centre of the National Park, close to (but far enough away from) Grasmere and Ambleside. The approach is quintessentially Lake District along the breathtaking Langdale Valley, with sheep grazing below the majestic and misty Langdale Pikes.

Hosts carry your luggage indoors, where you’re encouraged to treat the five-star boutique hotel very much like home – well, apart from the fact that dogs are, sadly, not allowed.

Mind you, the communal lounge with help-yourself, all-inclusive snacks and refreshments was even better than our fridge at home, filled to the gunnels (and magically replenished) with drink – alcoholic or otherwise.

Our stylish mezzanine apartment with its wood-burning fireplace, upstairs en suite bedroom, large balcony and hidden free-standing bath-tub was a dream, plus there was a buzzy restaurant called Stove on site, overlooking the original watermill.

The spa, a welcome new addition, was also worth splashing out on to soak up the treetop views from the indoor/ outdoor hot tub, thermal experiences and cosy saunas, while there is also a leisure centre, including a swimming pool and soft play area for children.

Overlooking Ullswater, north-east of the Lake District, a brand new, dog and family-friendly hotel – Another

Place, The Lake (another.place), has just started taking bookings. By the team behind Cornwall’s Watergate Bay, I’ve yet to visit but it is causing ripples of excitement.

My top tip? Visit in autumn, when the trees are changing colour and the summer hordes have headed home.

Clockwise from far left: Bridget’s dog Minnie enjoys the Lakeland scenery; The panoramic view from Another Place The Lake; Paul Tamburrini and the rooms inside Another Place.