The edge of Lake Windermere is a beauty spot where worries just melt away

SOMETIMES, a couple of days away from it all is just what the doctor ordered.

And one of the best places to do that is in the Lake District. It rivals the Highlands for sheer beauty. There are huge landscapes of vast, unspoiled beauty. It’s perfect if you’re an energetic type and you love hill-walking.

Me? I’m all about taking it a bit more easy than that.

That’s why a break at Beech Hill was so tempting. It’s a lakeside hotel and spa with stunning views.

Spa, you say? Well, book me in.

The hotel sits on the edge of Lake Windermere and is a mix of old-fashioned charm and modern facilities.

Our room wasn’t huge but had everything you need for a relaxing stay.

For us, though, the icing on the cake was the view. Lake Windermere and beyond stretched out before us. We plonked ourselves down on seats and just gazed out, feeling all the stresses of everyday life melt away.

Lots of the rooms have great views, but if this is really important to you, stress that when booking.

The downstairs area has a bar and seating area, which includes a terrace with seating. We were there when the weather was a bit chilly but it was still worth venturing outside. It’s that view again, you see.

The bar and seating area is stylish in an olde-worlde sort of way. Think squashy leather sofas, board games and low tables.

But we had to venture out at some point, so we headed for Bowness, less than a 10-minute drive away.

We found a great place that was recommended to us by a friendly local. The Hole In T’Wall is the oldest pub in the town and it’s easy to see why it has survived so long.

What more do you want from a pub than a decent drink, a really nice menu of snacks and meals and a friendly atmosphere?

Well, actually, when you’re getting on a bit you’re always hoping you’ll find a seat, too! Amazingly, the sun peeked out around our visit and we were able to sit outside in the beer garden along with a few other hardy souls.

We’d only dropped in for a quick refreshment but it was quite a job dragging ourselves away.

But thankfully we did, as a boat cruise on Lake Windermere awaited.

There are various cruise options available, including 40-minute short trips, island cruises and bus-and-boat combination tickets.

And you’ll be glad to hear that, while you can enjoy good weather outside on deck, boats have a heated, seated and covered area for when the rain and chilly times arrive – well, the Lake District is famous for many things, but wall-to-wall sunshine isn’t one of them.

The weather for us has never been a deal-breaker, though. In fact, sometimes when you’re inside and enjoying a cosy log fire and the view, it adds to it.

But another big part of any holiday is the food. And at Beech Hill’s Burlington Restaurant it’s out of this world.

If you stay and the hot cheese soufflé is on the starter menu, it would be a crime to miss it. And if you like a steak, treat yourself here.

If you feel guilty at constantly feeding yourself, just get out and about and do some walking. We did a wee bit of that. But it wasn’t long before we were back in doing-not-much mode.

I’ve never really seen the appeal of hot tubs before. But when the hot tub is part of an amazing spa, and is set outside overlooking some amazing scenery, it’s much more appealing.

The whole Lakes area is a feast for the eyes. We visited nearby Brockhole. It’s got a great adventure playground for kids, including a huge zip wire that seemed just as much of an attraction for big kids!

There are lovely areas with meadow flowers and a lakeside walk. And, of course, there’s a great wee café where you can treat yourself after a hard day’s strolling.

If you’ve never visited Cumbria, do yourself a treat and make it a priority. It isn’t too far away for most of us, caters for all budgets and is the perfect antidote to a busy lifestyle.

We’ll be back.