Edenhall Country Hotel - Penrith

For years, the prospect of angling on the River Eden has drawn experts and novices alike to this eastern quarter of the Lake District, and this pleasing retreat is a highly popular basecamp not far from the M6.

There are fine views of the hotel grounds from the big windows of the dining room, where guests can enjoy modern dishes based around the produce of the region. A warm salad of wood pigeon comes with Bury black pudding and caramelised apples, while char-grilled medallions of fell-bred beef are served with bordelaise sauce and vine-ripened cherry tomatoes. To conclude, there might be Lakeland stalwarts like sticky toffee pudding or – perhaps – dark chocolate and Baileys cheesecake.