WITH torrential rain hitting much of Britain recently, most people will want to go abroad this summer instead choosing to holiday in the UK – however, for those who decide to take a chance on a 'staycation', The Midland in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, is well worth considering, as the Worcester News' Michael Purton discovered when he spent a weekend there.

The Midland, which has easy access to the Lake District, is among the destination hotels taking advantage of the ‘staycation’ trend prompted by hot summers the past few years.

Situated right by the beach, and with a stunning Art Deco design and a 4-star rating, if the weather is right, The Midland offers a picturesque seaside getaway.

The hotel’s white facade and marble lobby make a striking first impression, and on the weekend that a friend and I visited there was a Bentley classic cars convention taking place which added to the sense of period charm.

Our suite was particularly memorable with a vast lounge area and separate bedroom that offered a wide view of the surrounding seascape, and a modern and spacious bathroom.

But The Midland is not the type of hotel you visit simply to hole up in your room. No, guests are there to enjoy walks in the Lake District and along the coast of Morecambe Bay and, weather permitting, some seaside sun.

However it has to be said that, if the weather is bad, Morecambe as a town does not have much to offer visitors, sadly. The place has been decimated by the economic downturn of the past decade and many of the businesses along the seafront are either closed down or rundown. My friend and I struggled to find somewhere serving decent food on a Sunday evening when we wanted to try an alternative to The Midland's own restaurants.

Fortunately, the eateries at The Midland are excellent. On the Saturday night we dined at The Sun Terrace which, as its name suggests, is a sea-facing sun trap.

Elegantly decorated and with a varied menu, The Sun Terrace immediately impresses and the food was fantastic.

To start, I chose the roasted Scottish scallops with leek puree, hazelnut butter, sorrel cream (£11.50), while for the main I opted for the roast rump of lamb with crushed Jersey royals, broccoli puree and rosemary sauce (£20) along with seasonal greens (£3.50). For dessert, I went for the warm chocolate pudding with praline parfait and toasted almonds (£7.50). To accompany the meal, I had a pint of Kingstone press cider (£4.10), a refreshing favourite of mine, while my friend had a glass of Tonada Sauvignon Blanc from Central Valley Chile (£7.50 for 250ml).

The entire meal, from starter to main to dessert and the drinks, was superb; it’s no surprise The Midland is the go-to restaurant for the area.

Breakfast there, which was a buffet with optional cooked fare, was also good.

The Rotunda Bar at The Midland offers a less formal dining experience to The Sun Terrace, with a menu of pub classics such as fish and chips and burgers, and we 'retired' to the bar for a few more drinks after dinner, before heading up to the suite for a comfortable night's sleep in the super-kingsize bed.

As you can see, The Midland is a fantastic hotel and a great base for exploring the Lake District. With good weather, it's great for a weekend getaway or slightly longer, and if it's raining you can just enjoy the moody coastal views from the snug of your suite or the bar.

RATING: 4 out of 5

See englishlakes.co.uk/the-midland to book. Rooms for two adults start from £128 for bed and breakfast.