Guest blog: A last minute getaway to the lake District
“On the shore of the glistening Ullswater, a hotel stands proud; as much a part of the landscape as the surrounding fells.”
With the weeks of wall-to-wall sunshine throughout May and June, adventure had been calling my name and I felt an increasing need to escape from the daily grind for a few days. I needed something last minute, close by and easy, that would satisfy my craving for relaxation and adventure. Another Place, The Lake was an obvious choice, with its enviable lakeside location, beautifully curated Instagram account and the promise of Lakeland luxury. A two-night trip to the Lake District was planned and pulled together in no time at all, and, since my mum was in need of a break too, the two of us made the hour-long drive up to Ullswater to soak up the quietude.
Our room. A sanctuary and a true haven of comfort, the room was both spacious and cosy; real effort had clearly been made to create an aesthetically pleasing space that subtly reflected the colours and tones of the natural world outside the window, while also providing a practical, comforting place to relax. I fell completely in love with the attention to detail, from the beautiful striped mugs to the well-chosen coffee-table magazine. A true home-from-home.
We wandered around the hotel gardens filled with flowers, both wild and cultivated, a hammock hanging from a tree branch, gracefully swaying in the light summer breeze and perfectly situated benches with beautiful outlooks over to the sailing school and out across the lake, and up into the fells. It took over an hour to explore.
Rampsbeck Restaurant was where we opted of our evening meal. The food selection was varied and interesting. Rampsbeck is the more formal dining option at the hotel, so it was lovely to eat consciously presented, locally-sourced food.
Our first day in the Lakes was rounded off with a brilliant, glowing sunset and an early night, with the anticipation for the next few days of adventure.
The alarm went off early. The sun had already risen and it was promising to be another bright, warm day. For a relatively small hotel, the breakfast buffet options were abundant: bacon, sausage, two types of eggs, tomatoes, beans all available for a “choose-your-own” style Full English, two waffle makers with pre-prepared little cups of batter and maple syrup, freshly made fruit birchers, cereals, pastries, toast and a variety of jams and spreads. There was something for everyone and we walked away slightly regretful that we now had to tackle a morning hike with such full bellies!
Although we’d come away for a relaxing break, we felt like we also needed to get out and explore the surrounding countryside. Ullswater is a pretty quiet part of the Lake District, especially in comparison to other lakes in the region. We had (wrongly) presumed that Ullswater was too far from home and for that reason, we had never visited or explored this area. On the contrary, it is incredibly easy to access, as even though it feels remote, it’s actually not too far from the M6 motorway.
Our plan was to head up the tallest point visible from Another Place, The Lake: Arthur’s Pike, and soak up the view from this high vantage point. We didn’t have a lot of time to complete this walk, but thankfully the walk is just a ten-minute drive from the hotel, and the parking is already half way up the ascent of the fell, which cuts off climbing time massively. Although the walk isn’t signposted, the way was fairly obvious (just head for the highest peak you can see and keep going…and going…and going…). Once we reached the summit, we were treated to unrivalled views up and down Ullswater, and out across to the surrounding fells. A pretty special spot to pull up a picnic blanket, pour out a cuppa from a flask (which are provided to borrow from the hotel, who will also fill them!) and soak up the views.
Once we returned to the Another Place, The Lake, we headed down to the Sheep Shed for water sports. There we were met by Arron, who took us down to the lake shore and showed us how our tandem kayak worked. It was a beautiful day, with the air warm and still, so our ninety-minute session was relaxed and incredibly enjoyable. We admired the mountains from our unique vantage point, and Arron was very knowledgeable, pointing out different features of interest as we rowed.
Swim Club. The hotel has a sizeable pool with stunning views out over the lake and the fells, which they have taken full advantage of. It is illuminated by the natural light of huge floor-to-ceiling windows. I was booked in for a late afternoon, full-body massage that I’d been quite anxious about. I’d never had a massage before and was keen to try new things on this trip, but I couldn’t hide the fact that I was a little nervous. Thankfully, when I met Jen, the masseuse, and she explained everything so I knew what to expect. It was a lovely, relaxing experience and my tired post-hiking and kayaking muscles were grateful to be rejuvenated.
That evening we opted for a more casual dining experience in The Living Space. Beautifully decorated with a very relaxed style, we felt immediately at home curled up in a bright corner, looking out at the surrounding countryside. The space was filled with the smell of comforting, home-cooked food and we eagerly perused the menu to see what we fancied. Mum went for the ginger chicken curry which was gorgeously presented, warming and really tasty. I opted for an open sandwich.
As the day drew to a close, the comfort of the room called out to us and we found solace amongst the cosy cushions and duvets. It is wonderful to spend a day out under the sun, exploring, hiking, kayaking, and even more wonderful to recharge back in an exceptionally comfortable hotel room. Another Place, The Lake has the balance just right.
The sun rose on our final morning in the Lake District, but the adventures were not over yet. The hotel allows you to keep luggage in a luggage store and use the facilities throughout the day, even after check-out!
After another lovely breakfast, I headed back to the lake shore for a paddle boarding lesson. I was a complete novice but the instructor, Chris, took this on board (excuse the pun) and spent the first part of the lesson teaching me different methods of moving and steering my board. After I’d mastered the basics, we found a small sheltered area of the lake to try some “challenges”, which roughly translated to “how many ridiculous things can I make Katy do on a paddle board before she falls in”! Whether it was good luck or sheer determination, I managed to stay dry the whole lesson and didn’t fall in once (although there were definitely a few close shaves!).
Once we’d checked out, we spent a little bit of time wandering the hotel grounds again, reluctant to leave behind such a stunning place. It seemed as though every detail was considered, even down to the hammock hanging from the tree right by the lakeshore, a very romantic and “Instagrammable” touch. We snapped a few more photos and then headed out on the road to explore a little more of the surrounding area as neither of us were in a rush to leave this stunning part of the country. After just fifteen minutes in the car, we arrived at Hallin Fell, a hill surrounded on three sides by Ullswater lake. From the summit there are incredible views up and down the lake, and across the fells. There’s even a tiny, picturesque church hidden up there amongst the trees. This short walk is a must for anyone in the area!
Those searching for the idyll of a weekend relaxing amongst nature or something a bit more fast-paced will find themselves at home at Another Place, The Lake. In this unspoiled and quiet corner of such a busy and bustling national park, this really is an escape that is not to be missed.
Who is Katy Who?
“I am twenty-three years old and a graduate of the University of Sheffield with a BA in English Literature and an MA in Nineteenth Century Literature. Raised on the land that inspired JRR Tolkien’s The Shire, I spend much of my time meandering over the hills and dales and through the forests of my beloved Lancashire. When I’m unable to adventure out of doors, I like to read and write about it instead. Growing up surrounded by books filled with fairy tales, myths and legends, from a young age I decided to live a life as adventurous and imaginative as possible. I am also currently in the process of writing my first novel.” – katy-who.com
Book now for your last minute break in The lake District, to explore Ullswater and stay at Another Place, The Lake.