Great green getaway – Peter would be proud

IT’S HARD not to fall in love with Beatrix Potter’s charming children’s stories: Peter Rabbit getting caught in Mr McGregor’s garden, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle working hard to wash and iron everyone’s clothes, and Jemima Puddle-Duck desperate to hatch her eggs.

The stories are set in rolling hills, thick woods and pretty gardens close to a farm – locations inspired by the glorious Lake District, where Potter made her home.

She’d spent many childhood holidays in the Lakes before finally buying Hill Top Farm with the profits from her books, written in the early 1900s.

2013 marks the 100-year anniversary of The Tale Of Pigling Bland – a story she had illustrated while staying at Lindeth Howe, on one of her family trips, before buying the property for her mum.

The old country house has been sold on to numerous families since, and now the hotel makes a great base for exploring the area.

I checked into The Westmorland Suite and was pleasantly surprised. The main areas within the hotel are traditional – as you’d expect in a country house hotel. The suite, however, opened after refurbishments in 2009 (along with the other deluxe suite, The Potter Room, which is rumoured to be the bedroom that Mrs Potter slept in), and is very stylish.

Floral wallpaper frames a lounge area equipped with everything you need, and the large, sumptuous bed is begging to be bounced on.

The bedroom area can be handily segregated off from the rest of the room, which is perfect if you’re staying with children, and the modern bathroom has an enormous shower, his and hers sinks and a bath that’s deep enough to swamp my 6ft 2in husband.

The hotel is also well positioned for visiting some of the region’s best attractions.

For families, The World Of Beatrix Potter is a must.

Beautiful scenes from the picture books come to life as you work your way around.

My little girl adored peeking into every corner of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle’s kitchen and spotting Peter Rabbit’s pale blue coat on a great big stick in Mr McGregor’s garden.

For those without a car and keen to explore as much of the Lake District as possible, the Mountain Goat is a minibus which takes visitors to a good range of places.

The Beatrix Potter Favourite Countryside tour heads to Hill Top Farm, where the author wrote many of her famous children’s stories, before heading to Hawkshead (where you can buy an array of local gifts), Tarn Hows (stunning scenery) and on to Coniston for the lake cruise to Brantwood.

For those who prefer to go at their own pace, the electric bikes which can be hired from the hotel provide a great form of transport. I’d probably advise against a ride into the busy town of Windermere, as we did, particularly if you’re as wobbly on a bike as I am. But they are perfect for meandering through country lanes and soaking up the surroundings, without any of the pain of actual cycling.

After all that activity, it almost seems rude to head back to Lindeth Howe and decline their delicious afternoon tea, although you might want to save space for your evening meal.

Afternoon tea is served at Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel

Taking a seat in the lounge before dinner, we were served some delicious aperitifs, and the lively 2AA Rosette restaurant serves up a great menu. I opted for the divine duck egg, asparagus and leek ash, followed by a caramelised onion tarte tatin, as recommended by my waiter.

The assiette of desserts was never going to disappoint, since they’ve been created by chef Marc Guibert, who holds the record for the world’s most expensive dessert ever to be created (£22,000, if you were wondering).

There was a very lonely piano in the middle of the room, but for nights when the ivories are tinkled, I can imagine a real after-dinner knees-up.

As we say goodbye to the lush green hillside, one thing’s for sure – Peter Rabbit has become a firm favourite in our household.