Feet have hardly touched the ground since news of a second AA rosette for Ambleside's family-owned Fisherbeck Hotel.

Coming at the same time as a 'quality percentage' increase for the hotel as a whole, there has certainly been good cause for celebration.The over-the-moon team comprises owner Brian Barton; daughter Gillian and her husband Raymond Lane; head chef Joe Hargreaves and his ' second' Beth Shuttleworth; head housekeeper Nancy Shepherd; and receptionist Tracey Jackson.

Their combined efforts have earned them plaudits a-plenty.

Brian has been at the helm of the Fisherbeck Hotel for more than 20 years.

Gillian and Raymond joined him after the sad death of Gillian's mother Kathleen a few years ago.

They were living in New York at the time where Raymond had a fine art and antique business.

Although he does still do some specialist antique work, the Fisherbeck now takes up most of Raymond's time.

"I think it was being in New York which made us serious foodies," said Gillian, whose own background includes nursing and marketing.

Although he should be taking things a little easier, Brian still cooks breakfast for hotel guests seven mornings a week.

Gillian also turns her hand to some serious pastry work in the kitchen.

And Raymond looks after front-of-house every night in the Fisherbeck's 48-cover restaurant which is open to non-residents.

As well as 18 letting rooms, the hotel also has a small public bar and offers outside dining in the garden - Lake District weather permitting.

"The same chef who cooks for the restaurant also cooks bar meals," said Gillian, which means that diners are in for a delicious experience.

Head chef Joe first earned a second rosette when he worked at the Nanny Brow country house hotel, at Clappersgate.

He's also worked at the Wild Boar, at Crook.

Head housekeeper Nency Shepherd has been at the Fisherbeck for 17 years.

Gillian puts the hotel's 'quality percentage' increase down to Nancy's "obsession" with keeping the hotel clean.

"Also, Tracey, our receptionist, always gets a special mention with the inspectors because she knows how to deal with people," said Gillian, who added that Joe's culinary success was because he has "a real desire to keep moving forward", a philosophy inspired by Brian Barton himself.

"Foot-and-mouth has really made a big difference - we don't know what the next 12 months will bring.

However, the Fisherbeck has always reinvented itself in order to keep moving forward.

Dad always has major projects on the go."