Lake District National Park sits in the northwest corner of England, in the county of Cumbria. It’s a destination to relax and enjoy nature with many mountains, valleys, and of course lakes. There’s an abundance of quintessentially English towns and villages to explore that are oh so charming!
Eat
Located in the picturesque town of Cartmel, The Cavendish Arms is a 450 year old restaurant that doubles as a hotel. The menu features classic English dishes and the food is so good that we ended up eating there two nights in a row. If you stop by on a Sunday, indulge in a mouthwatering roast and then after, settle your sweet tooth with a delightful sticky toffee pudding.
Simon Rogan is the Chef & Owner of two Michelin-Starred L’Enclume and is a well known figure within the British fine dining scene. Being passionate about sustainability, Rogan’s restaurants serve micro-seasonal, ingredient-led menus, with much of the exceptional produce and meats coming from his 12 acre farm in Cartmel Valley. It’s not far from his restaurant, L’Enclume and it’s more casual and less expensive sibling restaurant, Rogan & Co.
We stopped by Simon Rogan’s terrace pop-up restaurant, Henrock at Linthwaite House in the hills above Windermere – the largest of the lakes in the Lake District. It featured a simple menu with comfort food and we dined on perfectly made fried chicken and Korean pork sandwiches. I’m happy to report that the chicken was perfectly fried and the pork was well marinated and seasoned.
The view of Lake Windermere paired perfectly with a Lake’s View Sour cocktail featuring Bombay, rhubarb and rosemary syrup, St. Germain, lemon, egg white, and rhubarb bitters. It goes down way too easy!
The terrace pop-up restaurant was open for a month before Henrock reopened on May 17th, 2021.
Play
Being in the Lake District, you will have a hard time not finding something active and engaging to do. On Windermere Lake, you will find an abundance of water sports like sailing, kayaking, or paddle boarding.
Depending on your stamina and sense of adventure, there’s an array of hikes ranging from simple stroll to proper mountaineering. Do be sure to pick your hike accordingly as not all of them are a walk in the park!
If you’re unsure of what to do, I’d consider hiring a hiking guide for the day as they’ll be able to show you the right spots and tailor a walk to you ability or desires. Considering the plethora of hikes in the Lake District, I’d suggest staying for at least 5-7 days to really get a sense of the area.
Be sure to wander the charming streets and shops in Cartmel, you’ll feel like you’re in a fairytale! Also, stop by Cartmel Priory featuring incredible medieval architecture. It’s been around for 800 years and is steeped in culture and rich in history!
Stay
When visiting the Lake District, you will have an array of options for accommodation ranging from bed & breakfasts to luxurious resorts.
I personally stayed at the picturesque and well-situated Wall Nook Cottages in Cartmel. The cottages feature classic Lake District architecture coupled with modern fittings and amenities. The bathroom was stocked with Herbalife bath, body, and skincare products that are nourishing and smell amazing!
The gardens surrounding the cottages are seemingly out of a fairytale and make for the perfect place to read, write, or simply relax. English Author, Arthur Ransome, best known for writing the Swallows and Amazons series of children’s books spent time at the farm where the cottages are located.
Wall Nook Cottages are truly the perfect base to explore the Lake District and enjoy its variety of hikes, quaint towns and fine cuisine. Guests can set out on a variety of hikes from their front door, as well as make an easy 20 minute walk into the charming town of Cartmel.
If you’re in need of suggestions, the friendly owners Martyn and Karen are a wealth of knowledge on the area. Martyn is an avid hiker and knows all the spots to check out in the Lake District, while Karen is a great source of knowledge for where to dine in the area.
Overall, I found my time at the Wall Nook Cottages in the Lake District to be absolutely wonderful, relaxing, and I very much look forward to returning in the future!
