IF you’re torn between a winter break in the Yorkshire Dales or the Lake District, head to the Cumbrian village of Killington in the Lune Valley and you have both national parks on your doorstep.
Here you’ll find Pele Tower, a restored 14th-century castle at Killington Hall, where underfloor heating warms the flagstone floors of the two-bed annex and there’s a wood burner, too.
Paintings by local artists and photos of the tower pre-renovation decorate the walls, light spills in through floor-to-ceiling windows, and the terrace overlooking the gushing beck below is the perfect spot for a glass of wine.
Smart TVs and ultra-fast broadband will keep kids happy, plus we loved the master bedroom’s freestanding bath and the hamper of local produce from owner Ann, especially the home-made jams, chutneys and flapjacks.
Walk this way
Pull on your boots, open the front door and head out on a 90-minute circular route to the top of the Howgills hills – we even passed a herd of alpacas in a meadow on our way back down.
The Devil’s Bridge in nearby picturesque Kirkby Lonsdale is a fab swimming and picnic spot in the summer, but makes for an equally lovely walking spot in the colder months, too.
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Don’t miss the town’s lifestyle boutiques, Parma Violet (Parmaviolet.co.uk) and Edge of the World (Edgeoftheworld.com), either.
If you’re feeling more energetic, head to Ingleton Falls, 30 minutes’ drive away, to hike the 41/2-mile trail past several waterfalls, including Thornton Force, which spills dramatically over a 14-metre-high cliff of limestone.
Hiking should always be rewarded with good grub.
Gilpin Spice, a 30-minute drive from Pele Tower, is set in 100 acres of private grounds and serves up pan-Asian cuisine.
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Expect tapas-style starters like Chalk Stream trout with yuzu gel and black rice crackers, £14, and prawn dumplings with soy and lime dressing, £9.
Follow with Featherblade beef in Vietnamese red curry sauce, £22, and spiced Jamaican ginger pudding, £8 – one of the best desserts of our lives (Thegilpin.co.uk).
Or cosy up by the fire at The Masons Arms at Strawberry Bank for locally sourced dishes like fish-finger sourdough sandwiches, £11, served with Lake District views (Masonsarmsstrawberrybank.co.uk).
Be beside the sea
Craving chippy-style fish and chips?
You can’t beat Atkinsons in Morecambe Bay, a 30-minute drive away – the portions are supersized and the batter is insanely good (Atkinsonsfishandchips.co.uk).
For a sweet finish, pop into the Northern Chocolate Company on the promenade for delicious flavours, such as honeycomb and pretzel, £3.60 a bar (Northchocco.co.uk).
Nearby, Pleasureland has retro arcades and the Old Pier bookshop is a secondhand treasure trove for any bookworm.
At local favourite Happy Mount Park, play a round of crazy golf, £5.50 per adult, or, come summer, the splash park is a must with the kids, £1 entry (Happymountpark.co.uk).
But even with all that on hand, we won’t blame you if you prefer just to stay cosied up in your very own castle…
FYI
A week’s stay for four at Pele Tower costs from £947 (Premiercottages.co.uk).
With Premier Cottages, you book direct with the owners.
There are no hidden fees and all properties are rated 4- or 5-star by the national tourist boards.
Plan your trip at Visitlakedistrict.com.
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