If you prefer indulgent treats and personal pampering to sporting banter, why not escape the World Cup this summer with a leisurely 'Football Free' break at a luxurious country retreat in the Lake District?

With football fever about to sweep the nation, the new 'Football Free' break at Cragwood Country House Hotel is a great antidote for the thousands of people suddenly debating the technicalities of free kicks, goal-line technology and the dreaded offside rule. Nestled in 20 acres of secluded gardens and woodland gently sloping down to the shore of Windermere, this quintessential 19th century arts and crafts property has all the ingredients to indulge the senses miles away from diehard fans gearing up for a month-long footie frenzy.

As part of the relaxing 2 night 'Football Free' package, each guest can enjoy:

• Handmade chocolates in your room, personally crafted by Cragwood's own speciality chocolatier
• An indulgent cream tea on arrival
• A gorgeous 45 minute in-room treatment (daytime and evening appointments available), choosing from:
• • Reflexology
  • Reiki
  • Swedish massage
  • Head massage
  • Hot stones
•  Delicious four-course dinners, enhanced with flavours from the hotel's own herb garden

The informal lounges overlooking the lake are football free zones (no crowding round oversized widescreen TVs here!) and offer plenty of opportunity to sink back in sumptuous sofas. Meanwhile, in the bar, the nearest you'll come to the summer's sporting exploits in Brazil is a touch of intensely sweet South American rum.

Step outside and there are an abundance of private grounds to explore. Regular visitors to Cragwood's gardens include badgers, squirrels, deer, foxes, rabbits and families of wildfowl. You're also just a few minutes walk from the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole, where you can step on board a vintage steamer and glide around England's longest lake for unique views of surrounding mountains and secluded bays. 

So while the tortured souls are worrying about England's performance on the field, you can while away the hours with fresh air and wide open spaces miles away from the endless banter about the sporting prowess of Rooney, Gerrard and the like.

Cragwood's 2 night 'Football Free Break' is available from Thurs 12 June-Sun 13 July and costs £250 per person (based on 2 people sharing a twin or double room), including bed and breakfast, dinner on both evenings plus a cream tea on arrival, a 45 minute treatment and handmade chocolates in your room.

Call015394 88177 quoting 'Football Free Break' or email info@cragwoodhotel.co.uk.

For further information about the hotel, visit www.cragwoodhotel.co.uk  or follow us on Twitter: @LDCHotels

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

If you would like more information or hi-res images, or are interested in a press trip to the Cragwood Country House Hotel, please contact: Heather Sewell, 01539 825002 /  07795 487003 / hsewell@cumbriatourism.org