Two local roasters, rotating seasonal blends and single-origin coffees make Homeground a reliable coffee stop. Find us peeking around the corner for the daily baked goods while waiting for our cup.

The pastel headboards and colourful accents around the rooms are reason enough for us to keep coming back to The Penns after wandering around Windermere. Add a long bubble bath in its sage-coloured tub, and we’re sold on this self-check-in boutique hotel.

As with many local British institutions, no arts and crafts house is quite complete without a shop and tearoom. Blackwell is no exception. This 1901-built home, designed by architect Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott, now plays host to a rotating programme of contemporary exhibitions while nodding to the Arts and Crafts Movement of the late nineteenth century. End your tour with a cup of Earl Grey and a cheese scone on the outdoor terrace, weather permitting.

Follow the spice route without leaving the Lake District at Gilpin Spice, where an open kitchen serves bold Pan-Asian plates inspired by the Philippines, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and China. The colourful interiors match the menu’s energy, while different ways to dine – from the chefs’ counter to the private dining room – make it one for sharing.