Let the South Lakes flick your love switch in 2009

Romeos in a fluster as to where to whisk the love of their life since the exchange rate plummeted should discover what many loved up couples have known for years – that there’s nowhere more romantic than the Lake District.

To discover why, couples should simply define what love means and head to its source. To make this easy, the South Lakes Tourism Group has come up with three heart-tugging steps to romantic heaven, using some of the most profound quotations about the essence of love as their inspiration.

1. Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction – Antoine de Saint Exupery

The Lake District is full of stunning scenery just awaiting the arrival of romantically entwined couples. To share a view you can both treasure in future years, set off for Orrest Head on the signposted walk from Windermere town. The higher you climb, the more beautiful the views of the shimmering lake will become.

There will be a good twenty minutes in each direction when holding hands will be a great idea and a quick peck by the kissing-gate would also be quite acceptable!

This was one of A W Wainwright’s favourite walks and with good reason. When you reach the viewpoint at the summit, the panoramic view encompasses not just Windermere, but Coniston Water, The Old Man of Coniston, Wetherlam, Crinkle Crags, Scafell Pike, Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes too. A perfect place to look outward in the same direction.

Perhaps head off for a cruise on Windermere before snuggling up in an ultra-comfy room at The Hideaway at Windermere – an AA four yellow star ‘restaurant with rooms’ providing romantically charged relaxation and a menu to melt anyone’s heart. Visit thehideawayatwindermere.co.uk for more details and don’t forget to order the chocolate dipped strawberries as an extra treat!

2. Love is a canvas furnished by Nature and embroidered by imagination – Voltaire

The natural beauty of the Lake District certainly fuelled the imagination of the Romantic poets and many landscape artists. To float away on your own romantic cloud, head to Wordsworth’s former home at Dove Cottage and put his romance-fuelled poetry into context.

Poetry readings regularly take place at Dove Cottage so check wordsworth.org.uk for details. Once you’ve succumbed to the power of the prose, hotfoot it back to a luxurious ‘loft room’ love nest at the Rothay Garden Hotel (rothaygarden.com), just a short stroll away.

3. Like the measles, love is most dangerous when it comes late in life – Lord Byron

The Lake District offers romantic interludes for couples of all ages and one of the most popular places for more mature courting couples is the window seat in The White Room at Blackwell - the Arts and Crafts House.

This is a fairytale setting, with the profound natural beauty of Windermere on view through the ornate window and a warm glow all around the stunningly decorated room, full of fine features and details that epitomise the Arts and Crafts movement.

Many a proposal has taken place in this room, as well as on the terrace overlooking the lake in warmer months. A favourable answer can be toasted with a glass of wine in the tearoom, or marked perhaps with a purchase of beautifully crafted jewellery from the gift shop.

Wander back to a heavenly hotel such as the Applegarth (lakesapplegarth.co.uk) or Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel (lindeth-howe.co.uk) to continue the celebrations and make the most of your own dose of love measles.

With cosy cottages, roaring log fires, atmospheric lake cruises and distinctive regional food, put your trust in the Lake District if you are in the mood for love. There are plenty of accommodation options available, from camping wigwams to eco-friendly B&Bs. As Cathy Carlyle said: “Love is an electric blanket with somebody else in control of the switch.”

To find that person in a literal sense, visit Golakes.co.uk.