A relaxing Yorkshire Dales staycation with Devonshire Hotels and champagne and seafood on the terrace

With the sun beating down on the Devonshire Fell and its garden in full bloom, our pretty hillside home for the night seemed all the more stunning as my wife and I wound down for a weekend of relaxation, pampering and al fresco dining.

Before our arrival in Bursall, we had already familiarised ourselves with the Devonshire's luxury facilities with a stop at the spa, based at the Fell's sister accommodation, The Devonshire Arms, just a few minutes down the road at Bolton Abbey.

A couple of blissful hours in the pool, jacuzzi and a spot of sunbathing in the peace and tranquility of the Yorkshire countryside was the perfect way to start the weekend after a two-hour drive from our home in the Midlands.

Feeling revitalised we headed back to the Fell, which, standing proud on the edge of a hillside, has all the romance and drama of a classic Bronte sisters novel.

With just 16 rooms each with their own individual style, the hotel oozes an effortless charm. We were booked into Skyreholme, one of the spacious 'Luxury Fell View King' rooms, which would provide more than enough comfort for an over-indulged food-loving couple like us.

With a comfortable king-size bed, modern bathroom, coffee machine and traditional touches such as Yorkshire Tea, guests are well-equipped for respite whether they've been hiking in the hills, visiting the historic delights of the Bolton Abbey Estate or wining and dining in the Fell's smart-looking AA Rosette restaurant.

As the weather was so good, our choice of dinner venue was over at the pre-mentioned Devonshire Arms for an al fresco experience at the summer pop-up Champagne & Seafood Terrace.