The Lake District tends to be an expensive area to eat and stay in but Aynsome Manor eschews the normal pricing structure and presents a refreshingly reasonable alternative. Located in the still untouched Vale of Cartmel and with views southwards to the Norman Priory, meadowlands and woods, Aynsome Manor represents an ideal centre from which to explore the richness of the English Lakes or the hidden delights of the nearby coastline with its fascinating estuaries and inlets.

The food is English by description but could include such delights as: timbale of melon and paw-paw in minted champagne jelly served with mulberry coulis and candy floss; Aynsome's smoked haddock and fresh salmon fishcake with dill cucumber linguine and toasted coconut and lemon beurre blanc; hot salad of black pudding, chorizo sausage and soft poached egg finished with balsamic dressing or cream of summer vegetable soup with croutons, and those are just to begin with!

Mains might consist of seared fillets of red sea snapper cooked en-papilotte with Thai fragrant prawns, citrus and vanilla butter sauce; cinnamon roast Norfolk duck breast presented with apricot fritters and pink grapefruit reduction or a fried tenderloin of British beef resting on sweet potato ragout finished with bordelaise sauce - but leave room for their dessert trolley which is justly famed.

Wines from their enterprising and sensibly priced carte offer both good choice and excellent value.