THE LAKE DISTRICT & YORKSHIRE
Where windswept fells meet storybook villages, the Lake District and Yorkshire capture England at its most elemental. Think glassy lakes framed by rugged peaks, stone-built market towns, Michelin-starred country inns, and vast heather moorland that stretches to the horizon. It’s a region for long walks, fireside pints, and a slower rhythm that feels wholly English yet undeniably grand.
Where We Eat
Yorkshire’s hearty traditions meet the Lake District’s farm-to-table ethos, with rustic pubs, artisan cheeses, and Michelin-starred dining rooted in local landscapes.
Our Dinner Go-Tos
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Bright, casual, and unfussy, Jintana serves pad Thai, curries, and small bites that are fresh and full of flavor. A welcome alternative when you want something lighter than pub fare.
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Another reliable chippy, known for its perfectly fried haddock and friendly, fast service. A takeaway spot where you can grab dinner and eat it lakeside within minutes.
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Award‑winning, no‑nonsense chippy with a loyal local following and a quick takeaway counter.
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Laid‑back burger bar for post‑hike fuel—smash burgers, fries, and a lively market‑square vibe.
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Hole‑in‑the‑wall smokehouse sandwiches and burritos on the historic Shambles; fast, flavorful, local.
Street Food
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A centuries-old thatched inn turned modern gastropub, The Star Inn blends Yorkshire charm with refined, seasonal cooking rooted in local produce.
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Simon Rogan’s Michelin three-star restaurant in Cartmel brings a farm-to-table ethos to life with a hyper-seasonal tasting menu in a cozy village setting.
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An 18th-century coaching inn in the Yorkshire Dales, popular for its hearty country-style meals and countryside warmth that locals and long-time visitors swear by.
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An eclectic village gem in Grasmere where the menu changes daily based on what’s fresh and creative—spiced almond fritters or multi-layered puddings are signature treats.
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A Michelin-starred pub that feels entirely unfussy—expect warm hospitality and refined comfort food (think britches-on dishes like twice-baked soufflé) in a historic, cozy setting.
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A Whitby institution since 1937, this seafood house is famous for its legendary fish and chips served in a charming 18th-century merchant’s home.
Go All Out
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A Michelin-starred dining room amid sweeping Lakeland views, SOURCE offers exquisite seasonal menus in a quietly luxurious setting that elevates every moment of the meal.
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Set within a poetic Garden of England, this single Michelin-starred restaurant serves elegant modern British cuisine that reflects the Lake District’s ethereal beauty.
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Tommy Banks’s Michelin-starred inn is a countryside treasure where everything—from garden produce to open‑fire hearths—blends pastoral comfort with culinary craftsmanship.
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Tommy Banks’s Michelin-starred city restaurant serves a tasting menu built around Yorkshire’s harvest, balanced by elegant service inside a quietly stylish Arts & Crafts backdrop.
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Set in a stately North Yorkshire house, this Michelin‑starred restaurant champions hyper‑local produce from its kitchen garden, presented with refined technique and heartfelt hospitality.
Best Desserts
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Home to the world-famous gingerbread recipe dating back to 1854, this tiny shop offers a uniquely chewy, spicy‑sweet biscuit that’s utterly rooted in Lake District history.
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A must-stop for its legendary sticky toffee pudding—rich, caramel-forward, and habit‑forming, served alongside deli delights and regional treats.
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An artisan gelato parlour that crafts creamy, small-batch flavors using milk from its own farm—think indulgent scoops and waffle cones in a charming setting.
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Known for its award-winning sweet and savory pies—each delivered atop fluffy mash and gravy in a cozy, contemporary setting—and a pastry experience unlike any other in the Lakes.
Where We Wake Up
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A modern café that locals and walkers alike love, Fellpack does elevated brunch plates (think shakshuka, inventive toasts, and hearty yet fresh fare) with great coffee in a relaxed, stylish setting.
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Scandi-inspired and chic, Baltzersen’s brings clean Nordic flavors to a Yorkshire town known for its tea rooms. Expect homemade rye breads, cinnamon buns, and strong coffee.
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Inside a restored 17th-century townhouse, this is the North East’s answer to specialty coffee culture: single-origin brews, airy sourdough pancakes, and a light, minimal design that feels worlds away from the tourist tearooms.
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Everything here is made from scratch daily, with an emphasis on fresh, local, and organic produce. The cinnamon rolls are famous across the Lakes, often selling out before noon.
The Evening Pint
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A 17th‑century inn perched above Lake Windermere, beloved for roaring fires, a garden with sweeping views, and classic bar meals served alongside changing real ales.
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A stylish gastropub with its very own on‑site brewery, slate‑lined rooms, and a heartwarming menu of inventive Cumbrian fare—perfect after a Fell walk.
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Tucked in a tiny village near Whitby, this pocket‑sized cash-only pub feels like stepping back in time—complete with a nostalgic sweet shop and an old‑school atmosphere that’s pure Yorkshire magic.
Beck Hole Rd, Beck Hole, Whitby YO22 5LE, United Kingdom
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The UK’s highest inn, perched at 1,732 ft, is known for its remote, atmospheric setting and live music—and as much for the snowbound camaraderie as for its real ale.
Where We Sleep
The Burgoyne
A Georgian country house overlooking Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales.
The Burgoyne feels like a true countryside retreat, with its sweeping valley views and elegant interiors that retain a Georgian sense of proportion. It’s an ideal base for walkers exploring the Dales or anyone who wants the intimacy of a house-hotel where every detail feels personally cared for. Despite its boutique scale, it delivers comfort and service on par with pricier stays.
Image courtesy of The Burgoyne
From ~£185/night
Only 11 individually decorated bedrooms
Located in Reeth village, surrounded by the Yorkshire Dales National Park
On-site restaurant offering modern British cooking with local game and fish
Panoramic dining room windows overlooking Swaledale valley
Cozy lounge with an open fireplace for post-hike evenings
Each room is named after a local Dale, adding a sense of place to your stay.
Details To Know
Why We Like It
The Samling
A small luxury escape with chic interiors and sweeping views of Windermere.
Why We Like It
This hotel pairs airy individually styled rooms, bold fabrics, and antiques with a Michelin-starred bistro and a sweeping lakeside setting—offering the sense of a personalized country haven that feels polished without pretension.
Image courtesy of The Samling Hotel
From ~£280/night
Individually designed rooms with antique accents and contemporary style
Michelin-starred restaurant with tasting menu, plus bistro-level dining
Dramatic views over Windermere from the property
Quiet, boutique scale—ideal for a country retreat
Strong wine and beverage program to match food quality
Close to hiking, sailing, and walking trails across the Lakes
This is a place that feels crafted—designed as a thoughtful escape, not just a pit stop.
Details To Know
Details To Know
Another Place
An 18th-century estate turned playful retreat with huts, modern rooms, and water-based activities.
Why We Like It
With its mix of shepherd’s huts, Georgian rooms, and a vibrant glass-edged pool lounge, this property is both whimsical and grown-up. Located by the lakes, it delivers design flair, lakeside adventure, and modern amenities with standout personality.
Image courtesy of Another Place
From ~£200/night
Huts, treehouses, cottage and Georgian house rooms available for variety
Three on-site eateries: casual, pizza, and gourmet dining options
Lake views and direct access to water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking
Guided fell-walking and wild swimming experiences offered
Playful, modern interiors with bar and library spaces filled with character
This place knows how to be luxurious without taking itself too seriously—perfect for a spirited Lake District weekend.
The Angel
At Hetton
The Angel is where Michelin-starred cooking meets boutique, design-forward hospitality tucked in the Dales.
Why We Like It
A seldom-seen fusion of centuries-old charm and contemporary Nordic elegance, The Angel at Hetton is where Michelin-starred cooking meets boutique, design-forward hospitality tucked deep in the Dales. Every stay feels layered—with ancestral beams, calming muted interiors, and cuisine so thoughtful it turns dinner into its own occasion.
Image courtesy of The Angel At Hetton
Details To Know
From ~£520/night
Housed in a 15th-century inn with Scandinavian and Japanese-inspired interiors
Michelin-starred cuisine by chef-patron Michael Wignall, known for dishes like tempura lobster with kaffir lime
Only 16 exquisitely designed rooms across the main building and Fell View barn
Breakfast is a lavish five-course experience deeply rooted in Yorkshire ingredients
Dramatic views across Rylstone Fell invite you to lace up and get outdoors
A short drive from iconic hikes, including Malham Cove and Janet’s Foss waterfall
Effortlessly blends ancestral architecture with contemporary luxury
If you’re after a stay that feels both intensely personal and intellectually elevated, this is the one: rare, grounded in place, and unmistakably unique.
What We Do
From the rolling dales of Yorkshire to the mirror-like lakes and fells of Cumbria, this corner of northern England offers some of the country’s most romantic landscapes. Here, stately homes and medieval abbeys sit alongside market towns, artisanal food producers, and wild stretches of moor. In the Lake District, long walks end with fireside pints, while in Yorkshire you’ll find cutting-edge galleries and farm-to-table dining rooted in centuries of tradition. It’s a place to slow down, breathe deeply, and experience England at its most raw.
Culture & Shopping
Culture & Shopping
York Minster
One of the most magnificent cathedrals in Europe, York Minster is a Gothic masterpiece with centuries of history embedded in its stained glass and soaring stone vaults.
DETAILS TO KNOW
Location: York
Price: £17 entry
Vibe: Awe-inspiring, historic, spiritual
Need to Know: Climb the Central Tower for panoramic views across the medieval city, and check the schedule for Evensong — the choir’s performance in this setting is unforgettable.
World of Wedgwood
An immersive cultural stop where you can explore the history of Wedgwood ceramics, shop for elegant tableware, and even try a throwing session on the potter’s wheel.
DETAILS TO KNOW
Location: Barlaston, Staffordshire
Price: £12 entry, workshops additional
Vibe: Craft heritage, elevated shopping
Need to Know: The Wedgwood Tea Room offers a refined afternoon tea served on the brand’s own fine china — a must for design lovers.
Worth Valley and Haworth
Walk the windswept moors that inspired the Brontë sisters, then step into the cobbled village of Haworth, where a literary past—heritage railway, moorland views, and Brontë Parsonage Museum—feels both timeless and deeply resonant.
DETAILS TO KNOW
Location: Worth Valley, near Haworth, West Yorkshire
Price: Brontë Parsonage Museum £12
Vibe: Romantic, atmospheric, literary
Need to Know: The heritage steam train from Keighley to Oxenhope runs through moorland scenery; The parsonage preserves original manuscripts and personal relics of the Brontës.
Grassington & Ilkley Antiques Circuit
The Yorkshire Dales are dotted with small market towns where antiques shops and galleries are packed with British and European finds, from Georgian oak tables to ceramics and silver.
DETAILS TO KNOW
Location: Grassington & Ilkley
Price: Free to browse
Vibe: Browsing, treasure-hunting, design-savvy
Need to Know: Many dealers open only a few days a week; Ilkley also has a growing café culture to make a day of it.
The Hepworth Wakefield
David Chipperfield’s striking riverside gallery in West Yorkshire houses one of the UK’s most important collections of modern British art, anchored by Barbara Hepworth’s work and complemented by contemporary exhibitions. It’s a destination for both architecture lovers and art enthusiasts.
DETAILS TO KNOW
Location: Wakefield
Price: £12 entry
Vibe: Sculptural, modernist, quietly world-class
Need to Know: Temporary exhibitions alongside the permanent collection. The on-site garden is a highlight in its own right and free to enter.
Grasmere & Dove Cottage
William Wordsworth’s former home, Dove Cottage, is where the poet wrote much of his most famous work. The adjacent museum brings Romantic poetry to life against the backdrop of the fells.
DETAILS TO KNOW
Location: Grasmere, Cumbria
Price: £14 entry
Vibe: Literary, bucolic, rooted in place
Need to Know: Grasmere village is also famed for its unique gingerbread recipe — Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread is still baked and sold in the tiny 19th-century shop.
Adventure & Nature
Adventure & Nature
Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
An 8 km woodland circuit dotted with cascading waterfalls—Pecca Falls, Thornton Force, and more—offering one of the most poetic walks in the north of England.
DETAILS TO KNOW
Location: Ingleton, North Yorkshire
Price: Entry fee applies (private land)
Vibe: Lush, cinematic, quietly powerful
Need to Know: Family-friendly terrain with bridges and paths; close to Ingleton village and ideal for pairing with local cafes.
Brimham Rocks
Surreal balancing rock formations sculpted by millennia—a landscape that doubles as a natural playground for walkers, climbers, and the imagination.
DETAILS TO KNOW
Location: Near Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Price: Modest National Trust entry
Vibe: Mythical, elemental, oddly spiritual
Need to Know: Offers gentle walking circuits and challenging bouldering; poet laureate Simon Armitage even embedded a poem here in stone.
Coniston Water
Clear, sheltered water perfect for paddleboarding, canoeing, and spontaneous swims—a more serene way to experience the lakes than busier southern shores.
DETAILS TO KNOW
Location: Coniston Water, Lake District
Price: Gear hire available (per session)
Vibe: Peaceful, elemental, restorative
Need to Know: The northern end is quieter and ideal for water sports; combine with village tearoom stops or lakeside trail walks.
Pike of Blisco Ascent
A dramatic fell rising between Great Langdale and Little Langdale, Pike of Blisco offers a steep but rewarding climb with sweeping views over the Langdale Pikes and surrounding tarns.
DETAILS TO KNOW
Location: Between Great Langdale and Little Langdale, Lake District
Price: Free
Vibe: Wild, sculptural, soul-stirring
Need to Know: Can be climbed from either Dungeon Ghyll or from the Three Shire Stone. The ascent is steep but manageable.
Malham Cove
A dramatic limestone amphitheater that rises above the Dales, formed by Ice Age meltwaters—once home to dramatic water flows and now a climber’s and photographer’s dream.
DETAILS TO KNOW
Location: Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Price: Free
Vibe: Majestic, geologic, cinematic
Need to Know: A steep but rewarding ascent onto the limestone pavement offers sweeping views; peak light at dawn or dusk is unforgettable.
Brockhole
A polished, family-friendly adventure garden on lakefront grounds—with kayaking, archery, zip lines, krazi karts, forest trails, and café moments by the water.
DETAILS TO KNOW
Location: Windermere, Lake District
Price: Entrance fee (activity pricing additional)
Vibe: Energetic, curated, playful
Need to Know: Ideal for families or multi-gen groups; hire boats or explore the grounds at your leisure before settling in for afternoon tea.
Sample Itinerary
If You Have 48 Hours
PART ONE: Arrive & Settle In
Check into The Angel Inn, a 15th-century coaching inn in Hetton that’s now one of Yorkshire’s most acclaimed gastropubs with rooms. After dropping your bags, start with a gentle ramble around Malham Cove, a dramatic limestone cliff that’s been a pilgrimage site for walkers for centuries.
Wander through the village of Grassington, with its stone cottages and independent shops, before returning for a long dinner at The Angel’s Michelin-starred dining room.
PART TWO: Evening Wind-Down
If you’re still in the mood to stretch your legs, stroll through the surrounding Yorkshire Dales National Park for dusk views. Stop into the Black Horse Hotel in Grassington for a pint in a classic stone-walled pub atmosphere, then retreat back to The Angel for a nightcap and an early rest.
PART THREE: Scenic Adventure
Fuel up with breakfast before tackling one of the region’s iconic hikes. The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a circular route of gorges, woodlands, and cascades that feels like a storybook version of the English countryside.
For a gentler option, take a lakeside walk around Semerwater, one of the Dales’ hidden gems. Pause for lunch at The Black Sheep Brewery in Masham, known for its locally brewed ales and hearty fare.
PART FOUR: Evening & Farewell
End your trip with a drive to Bolton Abbey, where ruins of a 12th-century priory sit on the banks of the River Wharfe. It’s particularly atmospheric at sunset. Stop into Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa nearby for tea or a glass of wine before heading back to The Angel for one last night in the Dales.
