Mr & Mrs Smith

There’s plenty to do in the Lakes besides walking, swimming and enjoying the views. There are the obvious attractions of Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth’s houses – Dove Cottage, the Wordsworth Museum and Art Gallery (01539 435544) is located on the A591 – much more creativity-nurturing than the very commercialised Beatrix Potter equivalent in Windermere itself). Blackwell is another beautifully preserved Arts and Crafts house/museum on the side of Lake Windermere, which is worth a visit. Or get touristy at the Steamboat Museum (01539 445565), which organises daily outings on Lake Windermere. In addition Gossel Ridding's concierge service can help you organise horse riding, golf, off-road driving, quad biking, cookery courses, cycle hire, hot-air ballooning from the lawn, a lazy day being well fed on a boat on the lake, or book a massage or spa treatment to be enjoyed at the house itself. Hire a local jazz pianist for the evening – this one’s played with Jools Holland.

Take a boxset of that TV series you always wanted to watch, or a handful of see-before-you-die classic movies – this is as close to having your own private cinema as you get.