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The Cumbrian countryside is renowned for its truly awe-inspiring scenery. The imposing mountain peaks, of which the Lake District is home to England’s five tallest, the majestic rolling valleys and the magnificent lakes and waterways that gave the region its name; each facet provides the ideal setting for a huge range of outdoor pursuits.

It’s as if the environment throws down a challenge to those that visit. This is where the sport of climbing was born. These are the peaks that prompted people to climb just for the fun of challenging yourself. Thanks to the amazing network of tracks that cross the Lake District, it was once crowned the top destination for mountain biking in the UK. The landscape lends itself to spectacular high mountain biking and some truly epic rides.

The Lake District’s first rate network of bridleways covers the high peaks and passes as well as the lower valley trails. Take the opportunity to ride two of the most impressive summits that England has to offer. Both the peaks of Helvellyn and Skiddaw can be accessed by bridleway but there are also a host of other classic, high mountain rides to be explored too, like High Street and Walna Scar to name but a couple.

If you’re looking for something to test your endurance as much as your mettle, the Lake District is also perfectly suited to full on, epic rides. Riders heading for The Lakes can expect an amazing network of trails and bridleways that can be seamlessly linked together to make superb circuits of anything from 10 miles to 100 miles. If you’re looking for a wild, remote, full-fat, high-mountain experience, you’ve got to hit Cross Fell, highest point on the Pennines. It can also be linked in to an epic circuit as it’s surrounded by trails.

If you’d rather explore on foot, the Lake District has some of the best climbing in the UK. After all, this is where climbing came of age. For the fully fledged crag rat, Lakeland rock has long proved to be a forcing-ground of climbing standards and continues to deliver archetypal ascents as well as the finest modern test-pieces. If you class yourself as somewhat of a mid-grade crag rat, aim to chalk off a few of the classics on your visit to the Lake District, like Dow Crag, Gimmer or Esk Buttress.

For those happy scramblers though, with the pure aim of just getting their hands on the rock, there are plenty of spots to enjoy what is probably the most pure form of climbing and mountain adventuring. If you are an ambitious walker, scrambling is an exciting step up.

With St. Valentine’s Day just around the corner, our thoughts turn to romance. Well, romance and the most idyllic venue in which to profess our boundless love for our better half. So, if you’re looking for something at the opposite end of the scale from a petrol-station bunch, very few places can offer the same sense of occasion that is to be found in the Lake District.

Fortunately, Valentine’s Day 2010 falls on a Sunday, giving you the ideal opportunity to enjoy the idyllic beauty of the Lake District on a wonderfully romantic weekend away. There are so many options too; whether your idea of a couple’s retreat is a day under a duvet or a night under the stars, you are sure to find the perfect getaway in Cumbria.

If you are looking for accommodation in the Lake District, there is an option to suit every taste and budget. Cumbria offers a huge variety of stunning places to stay, from homely self-catering to welcoming bed and breakfast, to hostel accommodation and camping. So, whether you choose a luxury hotel, a cosy rural retreat or a tent in the idyllic Cumbrian countryside, you’re assured of the finest in Lakeland hospitality and some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery in the country.

The thrill of seeking out the ideal Cumbrian accommodation can be something that’s shared between you and your significant other or, using the short-listing tool at www.golakes.co.uk, you can find the perfect place and surprise them with a romantic weekend getaway.

If you are looking to pamper yourselves with somewhere that can deliver decadence and tranquillity, try a spa or a small country house hotel. 2009’s small hotel of the year was Gilpin Lodge Country House Hotel, a member of Relais & Châteaux. Gilpin Lodge has three rosettes for food and is both an ‘AA Top Ten Country Retreat‘ and an ‘AA Top Ten Small Hotels‘. This romantic Lakeland retreat offers visitors the highest quality luxury accommodation and there are no weddings or conferences to disturb you.

For the best of both worlds, letting you savour the serenity without being too far from bars, shops and restaurants, the Castle Green Hotel (Large Hotel of the Year 2009) overlooks the Lakeland market town of Kendal. It’s only a short drive from Windermere and a short walk from Kendal town centre. Each of the bedrooms is stylishly designed and a number boast 4-poster beds; a feature of many a Valentine’s break.

If you and your partner are looking for something a little more secluded this Valentine’s Day, a Cumbrian cottage can be an ideal solution.  Hiring a cottage in the Lake District can offer excellent value for money, with some of the more luxurious cottages offering incredibly romantic features like roaring log fires, hot tubs, breakfast baskets and even a private chef service.

For help in finding the perfect Valentine’s Day accommodation in the Lake District, visit www.golakes.co.uk.

When you holiday in the Lake District, or indeed anywhere in the UK, you essentially face four choices in terms of accommodation.

First, there’s camping. Fundamentally, tent living is something you are either into, or you’re not. It does have its benefits, there’s the freedom of carrying your accommodation with you of course – although it’s not to everyone’s taste. At the other end of the scale, stylish hotels can give you en-suite accommodation and all the facilities and luxuries you could wish for – although if you’re travelling in a large group, self-catering accommodation may prove more economical.

The third option can give you the perks of the hotel but with a more homely touch. Staying in a B&B can be a great way to get the best of both worlds and there are plenty to choose from in Cumbria. You might have to nip across the hall to the bathroom but your breakfast will be cooked for you and you don’t have to do your own washing. The Bed & Breakfast is best suited to a short term stay and again, if you are travelling in a group, it could be hard to accommodate everyone under one roof. The fourth option, renting a cottage for the duration of your trip to the Lake District, could prove to be the best choice for your circumstances.

Dealing with the financials first, quite often you’ll be able to get a cottage more cheaply than you would be able to get a hotel. This may depend on how many of you are planning to make the trip to Cumbria as a cottage will tend to accommodate more people and you’ll be able to split the cost between you. You’ll all be able to stay together too, rather than dividing the group between hotel rooms or B&B’s. Another potential cost saver of cottage living is the self catering aspect. So, you’ll be doing your own cooking and you will have to clean up after yourself but these are services that you won’t have to pay for.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of hiring a cottage in the Lake District is proximity to the fabulous Cumbrian countryside. Quite often, you’ll find that the cottage will be more secluded. Cottages offer all the amenities of home but with the benefit of peaceful seclusion. Also, chances are you’re visiting the Lake District to take advantage of the unparalleled access to miles of natural playground. By staying in a cottage, all of the hiking, biking and other fantastic natural pursuits that the Lake District has to offer are much closer at hand than if you were staying in a town hotel.

Of course, regardless of where you choose to stay in Cumbria, you’re going to be wonderfully placed to take advantage of all of the region’s amenities. Whatever option you decide to go for, having the confidence that your accommodation is taken care of lets you focus on the most important part of any trip, the quality time you’ll be spending with friends and loved ones.