Heading out to Settle on a Friday evening was just the ticket after a busy week at work.

Our destination was the Traddock Hotel at Austwick, which was recently given The Good Hotel Guides Country Hotel of the Year 2014 Cesar Award.

The hotel also won the Readers’ Award at this year’s Conde Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, the AA Four-Star Gold Award for exceptional quality of accommodation and customer service and two AA Rosettes Award for culinary excellence and the AA Breakfast Award 2012-2013. Quite a benchmark!

On arrival, the manager took our bags and showed us around. Blazing log fires, comfortable sofas, eclectic styles of furniture and a general relaxing atmosphere made us feel in a home from home.

And that was before we got to our beautiful room, which had its own clawfoot bath, and stunning views over Settle.

Settle is a bustling market town surrounded by lovely villages, situated between the scenic Yorkshire Dales and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is the Forest of Bowland.

If you enjoy walking, riding, cycling, caving, or just browsing the shops and having a coffee, it’s the perfect place for a trip.

It didn’t take long for us to feel like we’d been there hours. The stress melted away within minutes of walking into the hotel. We dined in the cosy restaurant, which had an intimate, quality feel.

I had lobster and crayfish salad in a sauternes wine jelly, while my partner had dandelion and burdock-marinated breast of local wood pigeon, and for a main course I had slow-roasted saddle back pork belly and Rob had rack of Mansergh Hall lamb.

The food was exceptional, as was the organic Malbec containing zero sulphites – meaning we had less of a hangover next morning!

There are comfortable lounge rooms, where guests can sit before being called in for dinner.

The next day we headed for Bolton Abbey, which has some stunning scenery and lovely walks.

Walking along the grounds next to the River Wharfe, we watched fishermen in the river, and sheep grazing nearby. One of the advantages of living in the Bradford district is that you can escape the hustle and bustle of city living and be in such splendid countryside within an hour by car.

With just under 30,000 acres of beautiful countryside, more than 80 miles of footpaths and ample space to run around and enjoy the fresh air, there is something for all ages at Bolton Abbey.

You can explore the ruins of the Priory and discover a landscape full of history and legend, wander along the riverside, woodland and moorland paths, and enjoy local produce in the restaurants, tea rooms and cafes. In December, attractions include a magical visit by Father Christmas and his elves, who will be at Strid Wood each weekend leading up to Christmas.

Santa will be in an old Romany caravan, which will be tucked away in a beautiful enchanted woodland. With some dates already full, it’s advisable to book. I might even return myself – you are never too old to believe in the magic.

Stopping off for lunch near the Abbey, we headed to the Devonshire Arms. The brasserie is light and bright and colourful, with exceptional food.

I had seafood risotto and banana and fudge parfait and knew I had to exercise after that. The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel and Spa is within the Abbey estate, and the Burlington Restaurant has a Michelin star, while the Devonshire Brasserie was perfect for a relaxing lunch.

There is a barn nearby that houses the pool, steamroom, sauna and plunge pool and is perfect for a relaxing way to end the day.

All in all, for just an hour’s drive along the A65, we were transported to another world of relaxation and rest, with scenery that was simply stunning.