IT was dark when we arrived in the Lake District and the woman with the guitar in the pub was singing, "throw those curtains wide, one day like this a year would do me right".

Early next day, the words of the Elbow song came back to me as I did just that and they parted to reveal the beauty of Lake Windermere in all its misty, morning glory.

From the hotel, with Windermere only yards away and a range of fells shimmering on the other side, there can be few finer sights with which to start the day.

In Waterhead, a short walk from Ambleside town centre, the hotel of the same name is a perfect base for Lake District trip.

Ambleside is a favourite with walkers and offers a variety of routes available for those wishing a strenuous climb, steady hike or just a gentle amble by the lake.

For the less energetic, boat trips from the mooring outside the hotel take passengers to Bowness or further on to Lakeside and are a wonderful way to see the lake.

When it's wet, and there is always a fair chance of rain, The Waterhead is close to the area's large towns meaning the cultural and historical delights of Cumbria are within easy reach.

Two of England's most famous literary names, William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, are celebrated in various locations but nearby Grasmere was home to Wordsworth and offers guided tours of the poet's Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum.

The poet's modest family graves are not far away, in the St Oswald's churchyard, in the charming main village across the road, and they attract people from all over the world.

For the younger reader and the young at heart, The World of Beatrix Potter, in Bowness, brings Peter Rabbit and friends to life in scenes which are magical to the child's eye.

After a day wandering o'er hill and vale in the National Park the Waterhead hotel is a welcoming four star townhouse that prides itself in serving up fabulous food made with locally sourced meat, vegetables and eggs.

The friendly and attentive staff are sufficient in number and display a good knowledge of the menu to ensure guests are well catered for.

There is even the choice of a special gingerbread latte, with tasty crumbs of the famous Sarah Nelson's gingerbread, from Grasmere, sprinkled on top. Delicious, and perfect when the weather has been fresh and the walks challenging.

The beauty of the Lake District is hard to equal anywhere and while maybe 'one day like this a year would do me right' I'm glad we had another day to enjoy all its scenic beauty. A few more days would be just perfect.

Stewart stayed at Waterhead, Ambleside.

Room rates vary from £68 to £175 per person per night based on B&B.

Website: englishlakes.co.uk

Telephone: 08458 504 503

Email: waterhead@englishlakes.co.uk