Setting the scene: a converted stone-built blacksmith’s (enclume is French for anvil) at the edge of sleepy Cartmel village, home of sticky toffee pudding, cheeky ducks in the high street, and a handful of pubs and antique shops.

Why it’s special: a sophisticated restaurant-with-rooms that opened in September and seems to have been flown from London and dropped by accident in this quiet valley. It’s stylish, modern, friendly and has some of the best food for miles around. There’s a no-smoking policy and most mobile phones don’t work here. Hurrah!

Hitting the sack: only seven rooms, all en suite but not large, sited in small cottages adjacent to the restaurant. Beautifully furnished with silks and heavy drapes in restful shades of fawn and cerise. Home-made choc-chip cookies and a Thermos of real milk for tea greet you. The Trouvé room is best.

Sampling the fare: the bright, airy, but deceptively intimate restaurant is run by the chef-patron Simon Rogan, who combines unusual herbs, spices and other ingredients — for example, pigeon with liquorice and nut reduction and vanilla sauce. There’s a 16-course gourmet dinner (£90 per person), plus a wide-ranging cellar.

Added attractions: plenty of walking and riding near by, and Cartmel races draws crowds of 20,000-plus. Next meet: May 24.

Access all areas: impossible for wheelchairs, but a few handrails.

The bottom line: B&B from £100 per room; dinner, B&B from £209 for two.

What we think: fantastic food, stylish rooms, good service: a totally romantic weekend.

Need to know: L’Enclume (015395 36362, www.lenclume.co.uk ), Cavendish Street, Cartmel, Cumbria.

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