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This former Coaching inn in the Gilpin Valley takes its name from the local legend of Sir Richard de Gilpin who bravely fought and killed a particularly ferocious wild boar close by. Today the hotel is known more for its cosy rooms, tasty food and warm welcomes. Guests try their hand at pigeon shooting, pay visits to Windermere village and Bowness Bay or simply relax by the open fire.

The Famous Wild Boar Restaurant with its candlelit surroundings and oak beamed ceiling invites diners to enjoy hearty modern English dishes, all created using local produce and seasonal ingredients. Trust starters of mushrooms in grain mustard or chicken liver and Madeira parfait to help you begin. Main courses could include slow-cooked haunch of wild boar; creamy vegetable pie in filo pastry and deep fried hake and chips.

Consider ending with the tirami-Sarah, a Cumbrian cousin of tirami-Sue! A choice of real ales, guest beer and wines can be had at the bar or restaurant.

Storrs Hall is situated in a Grade II Georgian Mansion in seventeen acres of grounds on the shores of Lake Windermere; endless views of the lake and fell can be glimpsed through windows and in ornate mirrors. The hotel's Lake District location makes it an ideal base to explore the natural beauty of the area and to enjoy a comfortable old English style stay.

The two AA Rosette restaurant called the Terrace overlooks gardens that run down to the lake. Guests can take advantage of the 'ultimate picnic' hamper; linger in the oak bar, or feast on dishes such as Cornish mullet with garlic puree, pickled morels and creamed pearl barley; rabbit rillette with golden beetroots, and mains of wood pigeon with roasted parsnip purée, and wild cep risotto, smooth squash and Parmesan tuile.

Desserts of citrus and ginger mousse and dark chocolate terrine help end in style. A range of classic and emerging wines support the dishes on the menu.

It is worth a mention that Storrs Hall welcomes children above twelve years.

The Winster area is rich in wildlife. Nuthatches, buzzards, and woodpeckers are a familiar site. Badgers, roe deer, foxes, and hares also inhabit the valley. The village of Winster is a small and picturesque settlement of whitewashed cottages of rough-hewn stone, which lies almost hidden amongst the folds of the wooded hillsides that border the upper reaches of the River Winster. Situated here is The Brown Horse Inn a stylish venue where you can unwind after long walks or simply drop in to sample the cuisine and enjoy something bracing from the bar.

The restaurant offers a sophisticated menu with a contemporary take on traditional local fare. All of the meats and the majority of or vegetables are reared and grown on the Brown Horse Estate. The pub also houses a lovely, traditional country bar with open beams and a roaring log fire which offers a wide variety of bottled beers from around the world, and an extensive wine and spirits selection and some wonderful cocktails.

For authentic Thai food in the English Lake District, Jintana Thai Restaurant is the perfect choice with its delicious fare, exotic surroundings and welcoming atmosphere. Located in Bowness-on-Windermere, this friendly restaurant packs the right ingredients together for a marvellous dining experience, so it's but natural that families, couples and friends prefer to go there when an unhurried and tasty meal is on the programme. The decor with its imported Thai furniture, artwork and artefacts imitate that wonderful confluence of tropical and oriental, which epitomises Thailand.

From the à la carte, there might be starters of thinly sliced grilled beef in a hot and sour chilli dressing while there are plenty of curries, red or green, cooked with chicken, beef, prawns or pork. Stir fries, noodles and rice dishes are popular choices to accompany a meal and you could end with saku, a dessert made with sago, fresh fruits and sweet coconut cream. The global wine list at Jintana offers a wide selection, with a few available by the glass as well.