THE Lake District is arguably the top area in England for outdoor holidays, and Ambleside is surely its capital.

Centrally located with spectacular fells all around, the country's largest lake within easy reach and plenty of woods and picturesque valleys to explore, the town has been a top attraction for those wanting to enjoy the area's sensory delights for hundreds of years – and all of it within easy reach for a short break.

By air, land and water, there is something for everyone. Walking, running, cycling, swimming, taking a lake cruise or boating are all on offer and – for those with more adrenaline to spare – so is bringing out your inner Tarzan on a high ropes course (more of that later).

It has always been a feast for all the senses so it's no wonder the Victorian and Edwardian well-to-do headed there in their droves to build their retreats in the wake of Wordsworth and Turner and one of those was a Liverpool merchant who built our destination, Rothay Manor, in 1823.

It was converted into a hotel in 1936 and you can stay in the house and take advantage of the luxuries that the merchant's family and guests would have enjoyed – an excellent position, great gardens and wonderful local food.

The Grade II-listed building has managed to retain a lot of its original charm but has been brought right up to date in detail thanks to a million-pound-plus refit.

We'd driven past it many a time on the way to Langdale or Coniston and never realised it was there, tucked away on its own island of calm as the busy A593 circles it.

As soon as you come up the gravel driveway, you seem to be taken back in time to a more relaxed and genteel era where nothing is too much trouble for the excellent staff and a relaxed vibe arises from the comfortable atmosphere.

The four-star hotel makes much of its 3 AA rosette cuisine and it all starts off in the best possible fashion – cocktails and canapes to whet your appetite as you pore over the menu.

The a la carte is full of the more familiar like lamb or belly pork as well as the exotic – brill anyone? - but it has all been given a contemporary twist with complementary and contrasting flavours. Not the usual fellwalkers' fare but delicious.

The friendly restaurant staff helpfully remind you of the ingredients of each dish when it is served but we felt it was well worth keeping a copy of the menu on your phone so you can identify those tastes once you've tucked in.

As well as the three courses there are also wonderful breads, amuse bouches and pre-desserts served to maintain the high level of tasting excellence.

Once you have finished feasting, the lounges provide ample comfort to help relive the experience or a stroll around the grounds can refresh your other senses as, when we were there, spring brings out the birdlife in full song and flowers in full blossom.

The comforts extend upstairs, where the bedrooms have been given a luxurious makeover with comfortable beds, stylish bathrooms and a balcony where you can drink it all in.

As I said Ambleside is superbly positioned in the national park and the Rothay Manor is on the doorstep for two of our favourite walks – the first over Loughrigg to Grasmere and then back via Rydal on the coffin route and the second a circuit of Wansfell Pike via Jenkin Crag, Troutbeck and Stockghyll Force.

With the bluebells, hawthorn and rhododendrons in full bloom spring is a fantastic time to be in Cumbria and we certainly saw it at its best complete with ducklings and lambs.

The oak trees were also showing off their luxuriant foliage and we got a close up of that too when we tried something new and took to the air at the Treetops Trek site at the Brockholes Visitor Centre just south of Ambleside.

This is one for the adventurous but don't be put off if the thought of dangling 30 feet above the ground by a rope or zooming down a 250m zipline make you weak at the knees. It certainly did me but, helped by the excellent staff, you soon feel at home in the branches, dangling from your safety line.

The airborne obstacles can take a while to get used to but once you get in the swing of things you can relax and have fun and, unlike other high-ropes courses, at Treetops you don't have to unclip your safety harness at any time so once you're attached you can get swaying.

The thrilling zipline rounded off a great weekend tasting the best that the Lakes has got to offer and we were left grinning like Cheshire cats at the end of our sense-packed two days.

FACTFILE

Rothay Manor Hotel - https://rothaymanor.co.uk/

Treetop Trek - https://www.treetoptrek.co.uk/windermere