Week in the Lake District Days 1 & 2

On the 4th of October Lee and I went on a week's holiday to the Lake District! For Christmas last year he bought me a voucher to Lodore Falls Spa near Keswick, where we went in 2023 when we were on holiday there, so we had to go back! We decided to make it into a week's holiday and booked a lodge on White Cross Bay near Windermere which had it own hot tub. Lee booked it all and I just agreed, haha.

First thing on the Sunday morning I had my flu jab. It was at my doctors' surgery and it was extremely well organised. There was a small queue and you were directed into a room and it took longer for one nurse to take my name than for the other to get the jab done. I was in and out in less than three minutes I think.

We set off not too long after that and drove to Kendal. We went to Asda there and picked up supplies for the week which included things I had forgotten like socks, deodorant, and body spray. I wasn't quite in the right headspace for packing the night before and it showed!

We went up to the holiday park. It was a Parkdean one which you know I rate, and it had a pool on site which we would have had to buy passes for but it would have been fine, but we decided to do that later. We got into the lodge. It was a bit dated but cute and comfy inside. There was a double bedroom, a twin bedroom, a bathroom, another toilet, and a living/dining/kitchen space. The sofas were recliner ones which was nice; I ended up using that a lot and getting comfy.

We unpacked and we considered going in the hot tub but it was raining quite heavily so we decided we would leave it. We watched some films and I was doing some rag rugging. I've actually finished the rug now! It's lovely. I'll post photos when we update the rest of the living room. We just relaxed for the evening and had some picky bits for tea. 

On Monday morning we slept in a bit which was much needed for both of us, and then about twelve o'clock we set off to Bassenthwaite Lake Station. It's up near Keswick so it took about 45 minutes. I considered going there last time we were up that way, but we didn't get round to it. But I had had it recommended, so I had booked for the afternoon tea. They have a restaurant on a train that lives at the station (it doesn't move, but it's on the tracks) and the afternoon tea is in the final dining car. I had prebooked it and had requested the vegetarian menu because the main one had things Lee doesn't eat either. Now I am actually eating fish at the moment as my iron is low and the nurse recommended eating fish, so you may see that on my blog coming up. I mainly eat vegetarian though, so we had that menu. 

It was honestly one of the best afternoon teas we've ever had! We were shown to our table and offered tea or coffee, which was unlimited, and orange juice or apple juice, which is also unlimited. That's unusual and it was very good as I had much to drink! The food was very innovate and delicious. There was a butternut squash veloute in a tiny cup, some sandwiches, a quiche, a halloumi burger, and vegan haggis in a Yorkshire pudding. Then there was a scone, a cheesecake, a cupcake, and a piece of malted tea bread with local butter. 

I couldn't eat it all so brought some little bits back to the lodge with me! After we had eaten, which took quite a while as we were talking and taking it slowly, we walked along the tracks and found some ducks to feed with some seed that we had bought. There was a small boy with his dad so I let him feed the ducks too of course. We bought a couple of things in the shop which will be a recurring sentence in these holiday blogs, we picked bits up everywhere. 

We headed back to the lodge in fog; you couldn't see the surrounding mountains! We got back about 4pm and got into the hot tub! It was on the decking and it was REALLY hot. Lee couldn't stay in it for ages so he sat on the edge. I loved it though so I was in there about an hour. It really helped my joints!

When I finally got out I had a nice warm shower and got into my pyjamas. We just had sandwiches for tea and watched some more films. It was a good, chilled day. 

The view from just outside our lodge, proving we could see Lake Windermere

The engine of the train in the station

Looking down the platform towards the end of the train

Here we are at our table. There was a whole vintage vibe to the train, which was very cute. Murder on the Orient Express was playing on some tablets dotted around, too

The menu, which I'm posting to show you all the fanciness!

The food when it arrived, there was two of everything over the two trays

And a different view

The veloute was delicious and a really nice touch

Looking in the rest of the car. There were other tables occupied at different times but we happened to be alone at this point. The staff were really attentive and lovely

Lee conveying his feelings on tea bread, although he did try everything which is good for him. He didn't like the halloumi burger but he did try it

Clouds over the hills as we drove home

I was wearing this Simply Be dress that I got off Vinted, and a cardigan which is the same. The dress is so comfortable and I wear it often

The hot tub, it was so lovely! Definitely a nice luxury touch to the lodge

Holiday in the Lake District - Day 7

We weren't sure what we wanted to do on the last day of our holiday, so we didn't get up early and mooched around for a bit. Then Lee suggested we went to Ambleside, which was about half an hour's drive from where we were in Braithwaite. We got there about midday and went in a few shops before going into a pub for lunch. It was two courses for about £12 so the food wasn't amazing but it did taste nice! I had garlic mushrooms and then... I can't remember! And I don't think I've taken a picture of it either! 

We went in quite a few shops and I bought some fancy cheese. We got back in the car about 2pm and drove up Kirkstone Pass, which I can remember going up before. It's a really high pass with lots of lovely views of the hills. We stopped at the top to take photos and to look down on Windermere. I'm glad we bothered to drive up it even if it did take us a bit out of our way. 

We drove back to Keswick via Ullswater, which was again very beautiful. We parked n Keswick and had ice cream from the sweet shop on the main street. We hadn't had any ice cream all week and it was lovely to sit in the sun and eat some! I had strawberry and vanilla. We drove down to the marinas near Keswick which are on the side of Derwent Water just to have a look, before heading back to the cottage. 

We went swimming for the last time. I do like having a pool on holiday and I'm glad we used ti so much. We stayed in in the evening and packed most of our stuff. We honestly had such a nice week, I just wish the weather had been nicer and I wish I had had chance to go paddling or swimming in one of the lakes. We did a lot and I genuinely needed to rest when we got home! On the Thursday we got home about 12.30 and were really glad to get home to see the kittens! 

The stream in Ambleside

The other way

This building now belongs to the National Trust. It is an art gallery apparently, but it wasn't open when we went

Further up the stream, to where there was a shop selling rocks and gemstones that I spent some money in 

Looking up one of the main streets

And another

This poster shows good pub walking routes through the Lake District and I thought it was very cute

The National Trust building on the way back - I bet it was a toll house at some point

Lee and I 

Driving up Kirkstone Pass

They were resurfacing the road so there were more people on it than there might otherwise be

Looking down on Brothers Water I think

It was so beautiful

Lee took some of these photos

Eating ice cream in Keswick

I love taking pictures of boats at marinas

This was my photo

And this was Lee's!

I was wearing this lovely dress which I bought for my cousin's wedding last summer - it's really nice to wear and I love the colours

Bye bye swimming pool!

And last thing at night, after 10pm, which the hills were still light but we were heading to bed

Holiday in the Lake District - Day 6

On the Tuesday of our holiday we had booked to go to a spa! We had discussed doing it but I couldn't find anything cheap enough, but then Lee had a look and found an afternoon "thermal journey" at Lodore Falls. So we booked that for the Tuesday afternoon and decided that before that we got to Keswick for brunch and to look at the shops that we hadn't had chance to look in on the previous Friday when we were there. I had a look and found Merienda, which had plenty of vegetarian options for brunch, so we parked and walked to there.

It was great, I had smashed avocado and halloumi on toast, with two poached eggs and some hummus. It was delicious, I really enjoyed it. There was a new girl working there and she made our hot chocolates which turned out to be lovely, so she was pleased when we said that. We went in quite a few shops, including Ye Olde Friar's chocolate shop (there's also one in Ambleside) where I bought some delicious chocolate. We also went in a couple of record and vintage shops. 

We drove to Lodore Falls at about 12.30. It is absolutely stunning! It also has a gorgeous view out on to Derwentwater. We went into the spa and got changed. Inside there are a number of different rooms, ranging in heat, and a number of showers. Outside there's a hydrotherapy pool, heated to 36 degrees, and which has a number of different jets in it. It also has an infinity edge, looking out on to the beautiful gardens. We had two hours, and we also got a free drink in that. We spent most of the time in the pool because it was just so gorgeous, even though the weather was a bit rubbish. I did go in the hot rooms inside, and Lee just relaxed while I did that. I'm so glad I've turned him on to spas because it's so nice and relaxing for both of us. 

We left at about 3.30 after a shower and headed back to the flat, where we just relaxed for the rest of the evening. It was such a lovely and luxurious day! 

Gorgeous hot chocolate in Merienda

And my brunch, which was so good

Walking up to the spa - the infinity pool edge is above that white wall there. I would love to stay in one of these hotel rooms!

This brook runs through the hotel grounds

Isn't it gorgeous?

The pool just before we got in it

This is the older part of the hotel, whereas the spa is all new, I think it only opened this year

The infinity edge of the pool

Free glass of rose prosecco, thank you!

While we were sitting having a drink

As you can see the weather wasn't great, but it didn't matter because the pool was so warm. You can see some of the jets here, too

Lee took this one - on the right is the sauna that was outside, but we didn't go in there

And here's me in the pool

And again!

This was the inside with the saunas and steam rooms

Back outside, Lee's photo

Me with my drink. The robe was a pretty decent size on me

Lee took this of the steam room too, as I was working my way round

And finally, just before we had to get out

I was wearing this Yours dress (thanks it has pockets!) and this Joe Brown's cardigan, both of which I really like

Lee made a roast kind of dinner for tea - we bought Yorkshire puddings but then he roasted potatoes and carrots, and stuffing for me (he had chicken)

Here are all the books I bought in the Lake District - the tope four were from charity shops and the bottom one was from a shop in Pooley Bridge