The Lake District. If you’ve never been you should go and if you’ve been before, you should certainly go back. The inspiration to many of poet William Wordsworth’s works, the Lakes have long been one of the country’s most beautiful places, with mountains, valleys and lakes providing a landscape to explore, enjoy and admire. The region is featured in Miss Potter, a film about the life and times of Beatrix Potter. Sarah Hills re-visited the Rothay Garden Hotel in Grasmere.

TWO years ago, I made a promise to myself that I would go back to the Lake District - and I’m not the kind of person who makes promises.

But I was deadly serious about this one, so after an invite back from the Rothay Garden Hotel, I was hastily making the five-hour drive back to this wonderful part of England.

The region has been reminded to the world with the release of the Beatrix Potter film, Miss Potter, starring Renee Zellweger as the famous author and Ewan McGregor as her publisher and lover Norman Warne.

The Lake District is where she lived and thought up the adventures of Peter Rabbit and his friends.

I stayed at the hotel two years ago, and enjoyed my first ever trip to Cumbria - and as soon as I left the motorway, I knew it would be a place I came back to time and time again.

Those same feelings swept over me as I was making my way through Ambleside and along to Grasmere where the Rothay Garden Hotel is nestled.

Since my first trip, Chris Carss who owns this beautiful 1856 retreat has done some major renovation work.

The hotel now has a beautiful loft suite, Helm Craig, which opened in the autumn. It is part of a development of five suites which will be added to the hotel over the next couple of years.

All five luxury loft suites will offer superb views of the Cumbrian fells, as well as the latest in guest comforts, with a private entry staircase, original beams, designer bathrooms with two sinks and in-bathroom plasma TV, walk-in showers, ethical toiletries, bathrobes and even binoculars for studying the beautiful mountains and fells surrounding Grasmere.

And guests will also enjoy delicious meals in the conservatory restaurant. A glorious room when the sun is beating down on it and a very atmospheric one when the rain is coming down too - it seems whetever the weather in the Lakes, it just can’t ruin the place!

The food, prepared by Master Chef of Great Britain, Andrew Burton and his team of six is to die for.

A delicious, seasonal menu is offered and every single detail is taken care of - the presentation is particular and the taste phenomenal.

A varied and exciting vegetarian menu is also offered and if you have very specific dietary requirements, Andrew looks on it only as a challenge - to provide you with a first class meal; and he hasn’t been beaten yet.

Dining in the restaurant, you’d not know if you were in a top London restaurant or this wonderful hideaway. The service is top notch and the staff have certainly put the hours into mastering the art of silver service - and nothing is too much trouble.

You are well looked after here and couldn’t want for anything.

The hotel is in Grasmere, famous for being the home of William Wordsworth and for Sarah Nelson’s gingerbread, which is served in the building which used to house the village’s school, by girls wearing period costume - a great treat when you venture into the tiny shop.

William Wordsworth loved this area of the Lake District, where he lived with his sister Dorothy- and wrote many of his poems here. The village was obviously less busy than it is now in his day, (1770 - 1850) but is by no means spoilt - commercialism hasn’t touched it and everything is in keeping, understated but beautiful.

You can visit his house, Dove Cottage, walk around Lake Grasmere, take a boat trip on Lake Windermere or stretch your legs on a walk - there’s routes for everyone, whether you like walking all day or simply fancy a short stroll to look around.

Whatever you like, you will find it in the Lake District, and it’s a beautiful place in any of the seasons - just wrap up warm if you go in December like I did.

Factfile: A stay at the Rothay Garden Hotel loft suites costs from £195 per person for a two-night midweek break. Guests can celebrate Valentine’s at the hotel on the weekend of February 16 to 18, with Champagne, chocolates, flowers and a candlelit dinner from £175 per person for two nights’ bed, breakfast and five-course dinner. Full details from the hotel on 015394 35334, or website: www.rothay-garden.com