Few places do luxury quite like the Lake District.

With beautiful hills and stunning views over wide open water, it's no wonder the place is so popular with visitors.

Yet while the likes of Windermere and Ambleside are the spots many of us associate most with the region, destinations such as Keswick and Grasmere don't always grab as much of the limelight.

Further north and a little quieter than the typical tourist hot spots, they are popular destinations nonetheless.

One place in particular that's become known for its luxury offering is Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa and it was there that my mum and I headed for a one-night stay earlier this month.

Set within 400 acres of private woodland and deer park on the edge of Bassenthwaite Lake near Keswick, guests are invited to 'escape city life for a perfect opulent getaway'.

After a rather blustery rain-soaked drive up the M6, we were certainly ready for some pampering and once inside the hall, in our rather grand bedroom overlooking the tranquil lake, framed by the spectacular Skiddaw Mountain, it seemed we'd definitely come to the right place.

Use of the spa is included in your stay, or you can just book a spa trip without staying over.

But for those who do choose to stay, there's a wide range of accommodation, from family rooms and studio suites to Garden Spa suites, with direct access to your own outdoor space overlooking the glorious........

© Manchester Evening News