It may be hard to believe but, apart from a long-forgotten school trip some 20 years ago, this was my first visit to the Lake District.

It didn’t take me long to realise that I have missed out. Having never been a big outdoors type, the Lakes never held the same appeal as say, a city break or a holiday abroad in the sun.

But now the night-clubbing days are well and truly over, swapping the hustle and bustle for peace and quiet in the countryside has become more attractive.

So it was with great anticipation of some good old-fashioned ‘R and R’ that we arrived at Pure Leisure Group’s South Lakeland Leisure Village, just an hour and a half’s drive from Bradford.

Situated near Carnforth on the Lancashire/Cumbria border, the development features a collection of mainly timber-based lodges nestling around a large lake.

The idyllic setting provides the perfect location for exploring the area. As well as the Lakes, the Yorkshire Dales and the seaside are only a short drive away.

But first it was time to settle into our accommodation for the weekend – one of the new country homes on the complex.

The well-furnished three-bedroom semi-detached properties are based on the reverse-aspect (upside-down) houses on Pure Leisure Group’s exclusive Royal Westmoreland estate in Barbados – where Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Andrew Flintoff are among the celebrity owners.

Downstairs, the master bedroom – with en suite bathroom – looked out on to a generously-sized decked balcony, though the great British weather ensured we didn’t get chance to sit outside.

Upstairs felt roomy and cosy at the same time. A large, fully-equipped kitchen, complete with dishwasher, provided ample space for six to dine, and there was plenty of room to crash out in the living room in front of the widescreen television.

But that was for later. Right now I was keen to find out more about the Lakes and what I had been missing out on. Sadly, the heavy rain meant it was not a day for a novice rambler like myself to attempt to climb Scafell Pike.

Instead, we headed for Windermere and a trip to the domestic goddess’s dream that is Lakeland. The kitchenware business may have outlets up and down the country, but Windermere is the flagship store where it first started in the 1960s.

I’m as undomesticated as they come, but was still impressed at their range of produce, selling everything from asparagus kettles to zoo cake pans! My girlfriend could quite easily have spent the rest of the day in there, but we headed a few miles down the road to Kendal.

As luck would have it, our visit had coincided with the Kendal Torchlight Procession – an annual event first held in 1970.

Featuring around 80 entries, the two-mile parade through the town centre is a fun, free family event featuring imaginative floats and walking displays.

This year’s theme was Kendal Through The Ages, and among the categories were bygone bikes, country and folk dancers, steam engines, and marching, pipe and display bands, including nationally-acclaimed carnival groups.

The event is based on the days when people from surrounding rural areas would journey into Kendal to stock up on winter provisions. They would usually stay for a few nights and would spend time out on the streets together.

Sadly, the rain continued to pour, but such was the entertainment that we weren’t too bothered about getting soaked. It was nevertheless good to return to the warmth of our lodge to dry out and hope for better weather in the morning.

Thankfully it did brighten up, so we headed for Ambleside, where we browsed the boutiques and enjoyed tea and scones, before driving to Coniston for a quick walk by the water.

We were due back at the leisure village by mid-afternoon as my girlfriend was booked in for some pampering in the Pure Indulgence beauty therapy suite, part of the leisure complex on site which also includes a pool, gym and steam room. She had an Aroma Expert Facial, which, I am reliably informed, was very relaxing and rejuvenating.

The 18-hole Silverdale golf course is close by, but unfortunately a wrist injury meant I was unable to try it out, so I opted for a swim and a steam.

Suitably refreshed, we enjoyed a three-course dinner in the Water’s Edge Restaurant, an on-site converted farmhouse by the lakeside.

Using locally-sourced produce, the menu offers a mixture of Mediterranean-style cuisine alongside some classic English dishes. Fish, seafood and steak are specialities, as are Italian-style pizzas.

My girlfriend had the local beef fillet and I had the house speciality fish kebabs. We both enjoyed our main courses, but agreed her starter of grilled goat’s cheese with tomatoes, rocket and pine nuts was the highlight.

It was a nice way to end our stay, though we still had time for a walk around the lake in the morning.

With the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close by, conservation is very much on the agenda at South Lakeland Leisure Village, and the site has been awarded the David Bellamy Gold Award for its efforts to encourage wildlife.

Kingfishers, and even otters and bitterns, are spotted on the lake shore, and there are lodges for sale which feature a host of energy-saving devices.

It was time to head home, but hopefully it won’t take me another 20 years before I return to this wonderful part of the country.

In two days, we had only scratched the surface of what the Lakes has to offer. And if you want to escape city life on a more regular basis, the South Lakeland Leisure Village provides an ideal base to do so.

Travel Factfile:
- South Lakeland Leisure Village is located five minutes from junction 35 of the M6 near Carnforth. - Properties are available to rent or buy from £65,000 to more than £200,000. - The site includes the Health and Fitness Club, Pure Indulgence Spa and Water’s Edge Restaurant. - For more information, visit southlakelandleisurevillage.co.uk.