Dreamily Dwelled Within the Sublimely Southern Part of the Lake, The Lakeside Hotel & Spa is Quite the Perfect Location, of all the Lake District Hotels.

We must spend a stupidly scary amount of time in our car.  Revs here, beeps there and our well-worn playlist vibrating in our ears.  Perhaps, far too many stressful journeys and – dare we admit it – spells of road rage?  What happened to peace, tranquillity, relaxed day trips and a bit of a good old breather?  Is it time for a much-needed change, which starts and ends on Windermere’s whimsical Lake?  The people at The Lakeside Hotel seem to think so.  Sail their shores perched upon a novel boat for this year’s brilliantly best way to travel.  Introducing the rise of the well-loved classic Lake holiday… 

Salute, smile and sail with fellow lake-men on the shores of Windermere and its’ awe-inspiring Lake District National Park landscape.  Turn your mobile off, forget those stacks of emails, the gigantic ironing pile and embrace water and wind, as you zone into your lake-legs for a trip out with a difference.  The Lakeside’s friends, over at Windermere Lake Cruises, give you just that; an excitable experience and memorable day out.

This boat dream team offer a rainbow of sailing options to choose from that allow you to sample a taste of the slow-paced Lakeland life from the water.

The Yellow Cruise sees the ‘Tern’ steamer delightfully disembark from The Lakeside and head for the buzzing place, that is Bowness.  Feel the wind in your hair, as you peer out from the varnished wood and out to the greenery, peaks, woodland and shores of the area.  Listen to passionate members of staff who will excitably divulge fascinating facts, figures and snippets of local history, while you take it all in and sail.  Hop off at Bowness’s pier and find yourself stride along with it’s occupants and tourists, for fabulous fudge at Roly’s Fudge Pantry, a cone of curried chips at Vinegar Jones and an irresistibly naughty clotted cream ice-cream at Windermere Ice-Cream and Chocolate Shop.  Treat yourself to something special or something for that special someone, in the town’s unusually beautiful boutique shops, for retail therapy and interesting inspiration.  Treat the local swans that potter on the shoreline with a big bag of duck food before they pinch a chip or two from news-papered hands.  You cannot leave the brilliance of Bowness without visiting The World of Beatrix Potter, for a slice of history about this wonderful wanderlust world she created and the characters she loved so much.  Be a part of Jemima Puddleduck’s woodland glade, Mr Tod’s underground home, Peter Rabbit’s garden adventure, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle’s kitchen, Jeremy Fisher’s lily-pad boat, Mr McGregor’s greenhouse and finish off at the shop to snap up a piece of Potter magic, to take home with you

From there you can join the crew on the Red Cruise, for a sail to the bubbly village of Ambleside and a slightly less frantic location.  Perhaps you might choose to spend a few hours mid-point at Brockhole-On-Windermere for a coffee stop, or an adventurous and adrenaline filled activity.  Pull bow and arrow by the Lake with a dabble at archery, kayak the shores and trace your fingertips upon the water or swing with birds and trees with their Treetop Treks for a touch of the extreme.  Action packed zip-wire joy aside, you will love this venue, as it has a little bit of everything for everyone and satisfies whatever your mood desires.  When you arrive at Ambleside’s Pier take time to wander down into the village, mooch around the distinctive shops and respect the classic English village charm.  Inhale the sweet aromas from the Bath House boutique, for hints of warming bergamot, sweet rose and zesty verbena.  Pick up a remarkable gift at Hush before heading back to the shores for a spot of rowing or having a go at the self-drive boats, to be your very own captain with a sense of an expedition and escapade.

Or you might opt to board the Green Cruise’s traditional wooden launch at Bowness for a historic trip down memory lane, at the intriguing Wray Castle.  It is fairly easy to miss this grand tower of brick and ivy hidden within the woodland.  This stone sensation sits very pretty on the peak of a hill and peeps out a smidge more when the shorter days come, and crisp leaves deck the Lakeland paths.  A mix of Victorian Gothic-revival of turrets, towers, bottle-green wooded estate and vivacious views of Claife’s grounds.  Be taken away on a journey with a tour around the castle and untangle the mystery of the Dawson family and their secrets hidden within.  Lunch at their National Trust café or extend your footprint and picnic at the grounds’ Lakeland shore and throw polished pebbles in its’ mini watery waves.

Windermere Lake Cruises also have an Island’s Cruise, for a forty-five-minute sail around Windermere’s magically magnificent islands.  For on this circular cruise you will find peace, tranquillity and a bit of a good old breather, that The Lakeside promised, and you have ultimately been missing.  A kind of escapism you get

 from smooth sails on even smoother ripples.  The day-dream state of mind we all crave from time to time, away from the madness of home and family life.  These day trips are the best way to keep you grounded and are simply just the tonic for the soul.

Finish your adventure with wind-down time and find yourself in a fluffy white robe and velvety soft slippers, at The Lakeside’s Aveda Spa.  A peaceful destination that will be very difficult to forget, as professionals help you to relax, recoup and invigorate the craziness of everyday life away…well for an hour or two at least!