cumbria/durham/northumberland weekend breaks

[queenofpuddings]

its my husbands 40th next feb and am looking to find somewhere romantic and cosy, log fires , good food etc.
we live in scottish borders and want to go somewhere not in scotland and no more than a 4hr drive away. it also has to be not too expensive so it rules out spa hotels.
nice shops nearby would be good
can anyone help?

I have stayed in a self catering cottage in Feb in Keswick through lakerdistrict.com
Well kept cottages in the centre of Keswick within a few mins walk of town centre, good pubs, a couple of good restaurants and fantastic scenery/walks.

There may be other great places and not sure if you want self catering but we loved it

thanks essence for that but don't want to do self catering will have a look at keswick

bump

Chester? York? Harrogate? Durham? Newcastle? Ambleside? Liverpool?