A week in the Lakes
It’s been a few weeks since we left Cumbria, and we wish we were back there. Lounging poolside, playing Scrabble by a fire in the library or standing at the top of a fell surveying Ullswater below. It is a place where there is everything to do, and nothing to do at the same time, a place where the adventurous and those seeking rest would both be at home. And for two work-weary souls looking to get out of Chicago for a week, it was a little bit of heaven.
We arrived after 18 plus hours in transit: tired, hungry, and in need of a long bath and a large cup of coffee. And that is precisely what we were greeted with upon arrival (this would be the first of many times saying “is everyone in northwest England this kind or is the staff here just that amazing?”). In the lobby was a coffee pot which miraculously never seemed to run out (despite our best efforts to drain it). We then headed straight for the hot tub to soothe our travel-worn bodies. There are few things as surreal as leaving your home in a city of nearly three million people and constant stimulation, finding yourself outdoors soaking in a hot tub looking out over manicured gardens, a clear lake, and beyond to snow-capped mountains. This is how we were introduced to Another Place.
“Everything and nothing to do at the same time”
The first two days of our stay in the Lakes we chose to do nothing (and it couldn’t have been more refreshing). Between leisurely strolls around the lakefront, sitting in the cozy library with drinks and a board game, getting a facial treatment in Swim Club, lazying about in the indoor pool and sauna, and eating until we couldn’t possibly fit in another bite. To ease back into a semi-active state we decided to explore the area further by boat, taking the Ullswater Steamer from Pooley Bridge to the other end of the lake in Glenridding. It is a beautiful ride, with incredible views. Those first two days were true rest, and did us a world of good.
Once we had our feet under us, Another Place became the launch pad to adventure. It is perfectly situated for breathtaking hikes, or as the starting point to explore the rest of the Lake District. We hiked up Hallin Fell with views back down over all of Ullswater. We then explored Keswick, Windemere, and the hidden gem of a walk at Blea Tarn (it is a tiny lake in a hanging valley well worth the visit).