Let the long autumn and winter ease by and indulge yourself at one of the local spas the lake District has to offer. We have reviewed our top ten spas to help you have a relaxing break and don’t forget there are plenty of holiday cottages in the lake district to make it that little bit extra special.

1. Armathwaite Hall, Bassenthwaite Lake

There could be no more relaxing location for a spa than this spectacular country house set in 400 acres of parkland on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake, one of the beautiful but least busy parts of the Lake District.

The Spa is brand new, and fully kitted-out with an infinity pool, hydrotherapy suite, wallow pool (what a lovely idea!), sauna, aroma room, steam room, tropical shower and a gym. All the usual beauty treatments are offered.

A full Day Spa, including lunch, treatments, and use of facilities costs from an affordable £65 to a luxurious £270. If you just fancy a spruce-up after a day out on the fells, try their Evening Spa (from £70) for four hours in their fabulous facilities plus a beauty treatment. Groups of ladies can book special 'Girls' Day Out' evening packages, which include the usual, plus champagne, canapes and chocolate-dipped strawberries – all enjoyed from the comfort of the outdoor hot tub!

2. High Head Spa, Ivegill, Eden Valley

This spa is located in High Head Sculpture Valley, a park well known for its large sculptures displayed along woodland paths. It hosts indoor exhibitions throughout the year and the occasional big 'do in the summer – and now, it has a luxurious beauty spa.

So – we say let the kids and chaps take to the park, and the ladies can go for High Head's 'Million Dollars' beauty package (£75), or, if pushed for time, a Half Day for just £45. There's a full range of treatments including aromatherapy, hot stones massage, reflexology and manicures – after which, I suggest retiring to the Farmhouse Tea Room for something delicious!

3. Lodore Falls Spa, Borrowdale

Perhaps you've visited the Lodore Falls themselves on a trip to the Lake District – wonderful frothy waterfalls tumbling from the Borrowdale fells towards Derwentwater. Well, did you know that you can take a refreshing dip there, then retire to the Lodore Falls Spa for a sauna and warming massage? (Waterfall Days from £179.)

They have a pool, sauna, tennis and squash courts, a hot tub and the usual range of treatments, including the rather lovely Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow Body Treatment – heaven!

There are a number of offers starting from a Spa Evening, including nibbles and wine, for £45. Parties can book a Ladies' Day, where you can enjoy treatments, lunch and use of the pool and tennis courts for just £69pp. Even youngsters are catered for, with their 'Top to Toe' package for ages 14+, including hands, feet and a facial for just £35. Sounds like a mums' and daughters' day out to me!

4. Langdale Spa, Great Langdale, nr. Ambleside

The Langdale Spa is wonderfully located in the 35-acre, wooded Langdale Estate. It has a 20 metre swimming pool, whirlpool spa bath, steam room and tropical shower and a full selection of Elemis, Guinot and Anne Semonin treatments, including facials, massages, scrubs, polishes, wraps and manicures. The Exotic Frangipani Body Nourishing Wrap sounds wonderful.

They offer a number of Spa Day treatments, from special offers at £59 to £195, and include a special day for pregnant ladies called – wait for it – 'Blooming Marvellous'.

5. Amethyst Health & Beauty, Cockermouth

Let's face it, there are times when you're up for a full day's fluffy-robe-and-slippers, and other occasions when all you need is an efficient brush-up by an expert.

Amethyst is just right for this – a full range of scented Decleor skincare, plus reflexology, indian head massage and aromatherapy. Men can have a traditional wet shave, and ladies can choose anything from a well-priced one-and-a-half-hour massage (£40) to an express manicure (just £10). Feet no longer sandal-worthy after a day in the fells? Have a Spa Foot Treatment (£27).

6. Netherwood Spa, Grange-over-Sands

This Spa is based at a former country house with lovely gardens, overlooking the sands of Morecambe Bay. It has all the facilities you'd expect: a pool, jacuzzi, steam room, gym and lots of treatments. A Mini Pamper (£45) will buff up your eyes, face, hands and feet (just what you need before a big night out) or push the boat out and take a full Deluxe Pamper Day (£153) with a swim, massage and treatments.

7. North Lakes Hotel Spa, Penrith

Okay, so you've just got to the Lake District, after a long travail along either the M6 or A66. Well, guess what? There's a spa to greet you – the North Lakes.

The North Lakes has a gym with all the latest equipment, a whirlpool, steam room, a swimming pool, tanning booths and lots of treatments. No need to worry about hubby and the kids, either – there's a children's activity room and splash pool, and a range of treatments for men.

There are full Day Spas (from £75) with access to facilities, and, depending on the package, treatments; a Holistic Day Spa (£105) includes back, face and scalp massage, exfoliation and hands or feet. There's even a Pregnancy Package focussing on feet – an area that becomes hard to reach!

8. Elements Beauty, Cockermouth

Elements is just the sort of handy, expert place you need when the rest of your group is heading up Pillar Rock and your muscles have had enough. Try their Swedish Massage to assuage your aching parts, or indulge in some relaxing aromatherapy. A leg and foot treatment (£18.50) is wonderful if your tootsies have spent the rest of the week in walking boots, or go for the full monty – a full body massage (just £30).

After all this indulgence, I dare say the men will be jealous. No need – there's a full range of treatments for men, too.

9. Oxley's at Underscar, nr. Keswick

The two Blue Fish Spas (the other's in Ambleside) are favourites with locals. Oxley's at Underscar is located in 40 acres of woodland on the slopes of Skiddaw, a couple of miles from Keswick; it feels like you're really out in the wilds, but it's convenient for much of the north and west Lake District.

Here you can have the usual options including Decleor scented facials, indian head massage and reflexology. Spa Days start from £65, although I find myself drawn to their 'Earthly Pleasures' (£99) and 'Dreaming' (£150) packages. How lovely.

10. Aqua Sana, Whinfell Forest Park

Whinfell Forest Park is best known as a wildlife park and red squirrel sanctuary, but it also has a wonderful spa with extraordinarily-named facilities such as the Balinese multi-steam bath, the zen garden, the Greek herbal bath, the ice fountain and multi-sensory showers. You can just spend a few hours trying all these for £69 – with a glass of champagne and lunch – or you can spend a little more and enjoy some of their specialist treatments.

Aqua Sana uses Decleor products, including the Madagascan Red Island Ritual – a spicy-scented scrub, with warming fragrant oils. Top of the range? A Decleor Quartz Lift Facial, which, they say, has been proven to reduce wrinkles, for a little while, at least. Can't be bad.

Please note all details are believed to be correct at the time of writing, but please check the establishment's website for prices, package details, opening times and terms & conditions.

To find self catering lake district cottages within easy reach of one of these spas just follow the link in the resource box.