A Lakeland hotel which allows couples to indulge their romantic fantasies in theatrically themed rooms has been inundated with interest after it featured on a TV show.

And now the Aphrodite’s Lodge Hotel, in Bowness, which has novelty suites based on the world of James Bond, the Flintstones, Robin Hood and Tarzan and Jane, is up for lease.

Husband-and-wife team Will and Lyn Howarth masterminded the striking rooms and are selling a 15-year lease for £395,000 to allow the imaginative entrepreneurs to spend more time with their young family.

Mr Howarth said: “The managers won’t need to do anything, the hotel already has a formed personality waiting for them.”

The popularity of the quirky holiday spot has rocketed since it featured on Channel Four series Four In A Bed last week.

Mr Howarth, 55, a former property development manager, said his website and telephone almost went ‘into meltdown’ after the screening of a half-hour episode which saw hotel owners swap bases with another couple to discuss their venues.

More than £5,000 worth of bookings were taken on the night after the show.

Other bedrooms have been decorated to bring Paris, Tuscany, ancient Egypt complete with a golden ceiling, colonial America, and the Swiss Alps to the Lake District.

Aphrodite’s designs were created by Lyn, 45.

Mr Howarth said: “Our idea was that Aphrodite's would inject a bit of real fun into visiting the Lake District – whilst still keeping quality standards high, and focusing on Cumbrian food.

“The number of repeat visitors we get, some of whom are working their way around all our themed rooms, I think indicates that we all enjoy a bit of fantasy in our lives.”

He added: “We're naturally delighted at the reaction to our television debut, and I hope it also sends out the message that Cumbria has a lot more variety than mountains and mint cake.”

The couple employ more than 30 staff at the hotel, on Longtail Hill, which they have owned for 11 years, and Windermere Boutique Hotel, on Lake Road, which they bought 23 years ago.