A fresh look at the LAKE DISTRICT

One of the UKs most popular getaways has hidden gems just waiting to be discovered

- HELENA CARTWRIGHT

A favourite for weekend breaks and summer staycations since Victorian times, you can lose yourself in the natural beauty of the Lake District. Explore secluded valleys, admire the lakes from mountaintop vantage points and, along the way, ditch the crowds to visit some of the lesser-known local attractions.

Upmarket afternoon tea

Almost every hotel and cafe in the Lakes offers afternoon tea, but if you’d prefer salmon mousse on warm brioche to cucumber sandwiches, then Gilpin (thegilpin.co.uk) should satisfy your sophisticated palate. They also serve sinfully rich chocolate brownies. As recipients of four AA Rosettes and a Michelin star, Gilpin has a refined and creative approach to afternoon tea.

Take to the water

Forms of transport don’t get much quirkier than the Steam Yacht Gondola, a mixture of Venetian-style rowboat and Mississippi steamboat. You’ll leave Coniston Pier to puff and glide on a tour around the lake (nationaltrust.org.uk/steamyacht-gondola).

An afternoon with Wordsworth