Adventure and a little luxury in the Lakes

But not ready to go it alone, or risk denting my fiance’s pride and joy, I needed a little help.

Enter CBA Events, who are based on the 5,000-acre Graythwaite Estate in the Lake District – well if I’m going to take the plunge, I thought, I might as well throw in a trip to one of my favourite places. Excuses, excuses.

At CBA, visitors get the chance to climb into the driving seat of a Land Rover Defender and take on a purpose-built driving course with stunning views of Lake Windermere – probably best check those out on the tea break though if I’m honest.

Under the guidance of an experienced off-road driving instructor, you can take part on your own, with family or friends, or as a group. Everyone is catered for.

My fiance Mark, who knows what he’s doing when it comes to off-roading, had a go first. And he loved it.

And then there’s me, who hasn’t got the first idea – but I loved it too. Our instructor Tim was cool as a cucumber and explained everything I needed to do – and what not to do – clearly and calmly.

He drove the car first, explaining all the time what he was doing and why. We tackled sharp inclines, ambling declines, water sections and, of course, lots of mud.

I learned that there’s an art to 4x4 off-road driving. It takes confidence and a cool head – simply putting your foot down to get over tricky terrain won’t work.

Halfway round we stopped for coffee and millionaire shortbread overlooking Lake Windermere. It doesn’t get much better.

Drive done, and with a spring in my step, we headed to the Hare and Hounds – a village pub and 16th-century coaching inn in Levens.

The contemporary bedrooms have welcome little extras – including home-made brownies and Cumbrian toiletries in ‘ooh that’s so pretty’ packaging – and you couldn’t ask for a friendlier welcome. Once we had demolished the goodies and I’d enjoyed a soak in a roomy, free-standing bath – I do love my creature comforts after all – we went down for dinner.

Owners Becky and Ash Dewar worked in London before relocating to the Lakes in 2013, and their cosmopolitan heritage is clear to see. Diners can choose from a menu of burgers, pizzas and comfort food to eat in the slate-floored bar area or modern dining room annex.

We had the Little Seafood Pot with crusty bread – flaked salmon, haddock, prawns in creamy curried leeks with a parmesan and herb crumb (£6.50) and Chicken Liver Parfait with toast and chutney (£6.25) to start. Both were lovely, the pot full of tender seafood and the pate smooth and light, but rich.

For mains we had Vension Bourguignon Pie – slow cooked pieces of meat with button onions, mushrooms and bacon lardons in a red wine gravy with a puff pastry lid served with mash and seasonal greens (£14.95) and Grilled Halloumi on a bed of mixed leaves and roasted root vegetables, in a honey, thyme & balsamic dressing (£10.95).

Fully recharged after a great night’s sleep in a comfy bed we were ready for more food.

For breakfast there was fresh fruit, cereals and yoghurt and cooked dishes. We went for smoked salmon and scrambled eggs and a full English. My eggs were buttery and light and the sour-dough bread was to die for. Mark’s meal was just as good.

And just as well really. He needed a hearty start to the day as he was about to be dragged around shops in search of the biggest free-standing bath I could find for back home – the Defender was fun but I’ll stick to what I know best.