Word’s worth in the Lakes

The words 'Scrabble' and 'holiday' don't often go together, says Kate Gray in the Times, but Rothay Manor has "taken a gamble" and added Scrabble to its list of activity holidays (others include painting, music and chess). It's not just for "obsessive word geeks" – the hotel attracts a diverse bunch, eager to brush up on their game. Each day you learn something new, such as "exploiting bonus squares" and

"the power of two-letter words" ('za' is slang for pizza, for instance). In between "swapping tiles and tales" with fellow Scrabble fiends, there's ample opportunity to explore the lakes, or enjoy a spot of pampering at the local spa.

Contact: Rothay Manor or call 01539-433605; a week costs £435pp