A Lake District Stay

Many of our guests escape for a short Lake District stay, so we thought it would be fun to put together a 48-hour itinerary that hits all of the highlights. Two days may not sound like a lot of time to explore a World Heritage Site, but you can get straight to the good stuff with a bit of planning.

Sheryl, Paul & team x

DAY ONE

9AM: START THE DAY AT THE HOMEGROUND COFFEE + KITCHEN

Homeground coffee + kitchen is rapidly becoming an institution in Windermere. Coffee lovers will appreciate the well-crafted coffee but the selection of hot chocolates may prove a too-hard-to-resist alternative.

10AM: LACE UP AND STRIDE UP ORREST HEAD

This is the first fell climbed by famous hillwalker and walking guidebook author, Alfred Wainwright. If you are short of time it’s got to be top of the list as the 2.5mile route only takes an hour to complete and the panoramic views over Lake Windermere from the summit are stunning.

NOON: LUNCH AT THE GADDUM

An Arts & Crafts setting and a delicious contemporary menu is a winning combination. The restaurant is part of the Brockhole development on the edge of Lake Windermere so you may fancy squeezing in a stroll through the gardens too.

2PM: LAKE CRUISE TO AMBLESIDE

See the Lake District from a unique perspective – from the lake. It’s a good way to enjoy the scenery without any effort at all. Once you reach Waterhead, you have a short walk into Ambleside village, where a combination of independent and high street shops and outdoor specialists makes it the ideal place to squeeze in some retail therapy.

7PM: DINNER = LAID-BACK EATS

Dinner is a casual affair at the Derby Arms in Witherslack on the southerly edge of the National Park. It’s a popular country inn and a great place to pause and enjoy good food before taking the quick, two-junction motorway drive back to the lodge.

11PM: HOT TUB UNDER THE STARS

Lakeland Lodges is a hot spot for hot tubs and we can’t think of a better way to end the day than with a soak under the stars.

DAY TWO

9.30AM: ENJOY BREAKFAST IN YOUR LODGE

Enjoy a breakfast packed with local produce from one of our nearby farm shops – fresh artisan bread, thick bacon and Cumberland sausage, and a scramble of eggs laid locally. That’s the way to start day two and it’ll see you through to a tasty alternative to lunch around 2pm.

NOON: EXPLORE THE ‘LOVELIEST SPOT THAT MAN HATH EVER FOUND’

Allan Bank is a National Trust property set on the hill above Grasmere village. It’s an easy 10 minute walk so we recommend leaving the car in the main village car park. The house has a fascinating history and is a very welcoming building where you can help yourself to a cuppa and settle in by the windows to see if you can spot any of the resident red squirrels in the grounds.

2PM: AFTERNOON TEA

It’s hard to choose just one venue for afternoon tea as all of the options are well-reviewed. Let’s settle on the Daffodil Hotel & Spa in Grasmere though, which has ‘created an artistic yet generous contemporary Afternoon Tea featuring the very best selection of local produce and of course, our very own freshly baked cakes’.

5PM: ENJOY AN AFTERNOON STROLL

Before making the return journey home, spend a couple of hours looping around Rydal Water. The lakeside stroll winds its way up to the caves set in the fell, where the acoustics and stepping stones both need testing out. This is your last dose of Lake District beauty, so we’ve chosen one that leaves a lasting and restorative impression.

7PM: LEAVE BUT PLAN TO RETURN.

You can’t take in the Lake District in just one visit, so book a return stay and we’ll see you again soon!