Hipping Hall
Lake District, United Kingdom[view map]
Local restaurants
If you ever tire of the fabulous food available in Hipping Hall's own mediaeval banqueting room, The Samling, just outside Ambleside (+44 (0)1539 431922), is 40-minute drive away, and has a similarly spectacular menu and views over Wordsworth's beloved hills. A little closer to Hipping Hall is the art-filled Avanti Bar & Restaurant in Kirkby Lonsdale (+44 (0)1524 273500), which offers the full Cumbrian experience thanks to comforting meat and fish dishes, and homely touches without the slightest hint of twee.
Local cafes
With freshly baked bread and home-made fruit scones hot from the oven, The Cariad coffee house and tearoom in Kirkby Lonsdale (+44 (0)1524 273271) will set you up for an afternoon of sightseeing.
Worth getting out of bed for
The thing to do in this beautiful area is walk: take in the views, visit the Ingleton waterfalls and caves (www.ingletonwaterfalls.co.uk) and drop by Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage en route (www.wordsworth.org.uk). Get high on the astonishing views from the basket of a hot-air balloon as it floats above the Lune Valley with Virgin Balloon Flights (www.virginballoonflights.co.uk).
Diary
April St George's Day parade in Kirkby Lonsdale. May Cumbria Food and Drink Festival at Rheged. June Lunesdale Studio Arts Trails at weekends (www.lunesdalearts.co.uk). September Victorian Street Fair at Kirkby Lonsdale. December Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Parade.