The Lake District

Ullswater is the second largest lake in the The Lake District, but arguably the prettiest. Inspired to write his poem ‘Daffodils’ after a visit to Glencoyne Bay, Wordsworth remarked that Ullswater was “upon the whole, the happiest combination of beauty and grandeur, which any of the Lakes affords”.

In Autumn this year, we were invited to stay at Another Place, The Lake, set on the shores of Ullswater Lake and playing host to incredible views of the valleys and wildlife. Its location gave us easy access for the walk up to Aira Force waterfall, Halin Fell and The Steel Knots but provided enough activities to make a day spent at the hotel just as exciting as exploring further afield.

We arrived on a windy afternoon and whilst I unpacked and got planning, the children went straight to the Kids’ Zone - a cabin playing host to crafts, games, evening movie nights and toys aplenty for children up to 12 years old. Whilst my daughter got straight to the drawing table, my son spent most of his time playikng air hockey with one of the wonderful ladies who run the space with such care. The following day, as we stood at the bottom of Aira Force, watching the water crashing down into the river below us, after a beautiful walk through the woods, my son turned to me and asked ‘Can we go to the kids’ club now?’ And honestly that was testament to how welcoming and fun it really is.

On our fitst morning, after at least three courses of breakfast, the children were watched by one of the same ladies in our suite as I enjoyed a massage at the spa. As soon as the pool was open for family swimming, we made our way down and were greeted by large ceiling to floor windows that allowed you to soak in the sunshine dancing over the hills whilst swimming. Cue squeals of delight (from me)!

The promised rain showers cleared to make way for a relatively warm day and we ventured outside to explore the grounds. During the warmer months, the hotel has a range of activities available including kayak and paddleboarding lessons and hire as well as archery for children. In the colder months there are warm nooks in the library, an outdoor hot tub and the highlight for me; an incredible vegetarian menu in the Rampsbeck Restaurant.

We strolled out onto the jetty and conversed with the swans, rambled along the pebbled shores and mooed at the longhorns before setting off towards the waterfall in our car. The air around the lake and the surrounding hills is clear and moist - like a long drink of mountain water - and we returned to the hotel invigorated after our adventures.

The following day we drove in a different direction and caught an Ullswater Steamer at Pooley Bridge (near where Wordsworth saw those daffodils). It was a foggy and rainy day and whilst my daughter napped in the cabin area, my son insisted on standing out on the deck, drinking in the scenery with his hot chocolate. We even saw some hardcore kayakers out on the lake, gritting their teeth against ice cold winds. As we returned to the dock, the captain told us to drive up into the hills towards Tirrill and stop at at the old church to observe the view of the lake below. We took his advice and enjoyed one last look over Ullswater before heading back to the flat lands and wide skies of Norfolk.

www.another.place / www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk