The Lake District is renowned for its beauty – the lush lowlands, stunning waterscapes and fells. And the reason it is so green and pleasant is because of the rain we get in the North West of England. And the wet weather is something to work with when planning a weekend away.
The magic of a break in the Lakes is not knowing from hour to hour what the weather will bring, and when you are invited for a Spa weekend at a hotel with one of the best locations in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, you know whatever the conditions you are going to have a great time.
The Beech Hill Hotel and Spa overlooks Windermere – the largest stretch of water in the Lake District and naturally stunning. You can walk down to the waterside or take to the terrace to enjoy the spectacular view of the famous natural skyline – the Old Man of Coniston, Brim Fell, Swirl How, Black Sails, Wetherlam, Bow Fell, Allen Craggs, Pike of Stickle, Pavey Ark, Seat Sandal and Helvellyn.
In the season you can watch the Windermere Lake Cruises sailing down to Lakeside to meet the Haverthwaite steam train. In the winter months the cruises run services further up Windermere to Bowness, Ambleside and the Windermere Jetty.
On route to the Beech Hill Hotel and Spa, we pulled into the Lakeland Motor Museum less than 5 minutes drive away. With ample free parking it is easy to get to, just off the A590 at Newby Bridge. We had passed the huge blue building many times before, but could never have imagined the scale of this all weather attraction.
From setting off in the Eden Valley in sunshine, the sky had started turning grey as we drove over Orton Scar and their was a hint of rain as we parked up. But that didn’t matter, inside the museum you forgot about the weather in the light, airy and spacious venue which is a celebration of transport from the penny farthing to the land and water speed breaking Bluebird, and up to present day. Discover more about our visit to the award winning transport museum here.
Arriving at Beech Hill Hotel and Spa, as you enter the reception you are blown away by the open view across Windermere, and where ever you sit in the huge lounge while waiting to check-in you can take in the vista. As we arrived the mist was descending upon the surrounding hills and heading towards the water – making a dramatic scene. There’s nothing nicer than being inside, all warm and cosy and watching the gentle rain fall onto the water.
We booked our spa session in the Lake View Spa for the following morning, and relaxed before our dinner in the Burlington’s Restaurant. Our room and table for dinner both overlooked Windermere.
This is a relaxed, traditional dinning room, with a fine dining menu, however there is an alternative menu for meals in the bar area.
The attentive team in the restaurant make you feel welcome and the atmosphere is calm and relaxed. Dining with my daughter, we enjoyed taking our time to choose from the mouth-watering choices.
I went for the sea trout pate for starter – a fresh, delicious options served with crisp Melba toast and horseradish cream with watercress.
My rump lamb main was perfectly cooked, soft and melted in the mouth with plenty of flavour added to by the mint salsa, green lentil fumet with sautéed hispi cabbage. It was perfection on a plate.
My pudding of Black Cherries Frangipane Tart double jersey ice cream completed the perfectly balanced meal, which we enjoyed with a half bottle of Rioja.
You can find out what Katie May had for dinner and her experience of our weekend away on her blog PostcardsFrom.co.uk
Going back to our spacious room, with the gentle sound of rain falling on the window and just the lights of the isolated cottage across the water shining, we looked forward to our second day’s adventure in South Lakeland.
Breakfast at Beech Hill Hotel and Spa in the waterside restaurant is a well stocked continental buffet, however we decided to upgrade to a cooked meal, to prepare us for our last day of adventures around Windermere.
I went for the traditional full English, thought there were vegetarian and vegan versions, while my daughter went for the waffles with bacon and maple syrup. These dishes really did set us up for the day. Freshly cooked and quality produce, these hot options are delicious and flavoursome.
We’d booked ourselves into the spa for the rest of our stay. In our swimming costumes and the robes provided headed down to the modern lake view spa area, which ample space in the shower rooms, contemporary slate tiles linking the glass steam and sauna rooms and the ample sized swimming pool. However, we headed outside, yes outside in the drizzle and breeze to plunge into the hot tubs with views across Windermere. The juxtaposition of the warm bubbles of the Jacuzzi and the cool air was deliciously refreshing and relaxing.
We enjoyed a few lengths of the pool and then enjoyed the sauna which looks over the pool, another deeply relaxing time.
Booking a time slot in the spa ensures you maximise the full relaxed atmosphere, providing almost exclusivity of the faculties. We felt so chilled as we sadly checked-out on our spa weekend.
However, we still had one last treat, on route home we called into the Windermere Jetty Museum the award winning museum on the shores of Windermere just past Bowness on the A592. Discover more about out visit to Windermere Jetty Museum.
What a weekend. Beech Hill Hotel and Spa has the perfect location for views and to visit some of the best indoor attractions, excellent spa facilities, and then one of the best restaurants in the Lakes (and there’s some stiff competition in Cumbria with more Michelin stars than anywhere else in the UK outside London!).
It has been the perfect mother and daughter break, and to book a stay would make the ideal Mother’s Day gift. Alternatively, they have a Mother’s Day afternoon team for this Sunday, with a glass of Prosecco and a box of chocolates for your mum. But you’ll need to book now to secure your table and a view of the Old Man of Coniston and Windermere. Enjoy!
Thank you to Beech Hill Hotel & Spa for inviting stay for the Spa Break.
- Value for money 5/5 stars 3 course menu in the Burlington’s restaurant £44.95
- Entertainment & enjoyment 5/5
- Easy access 5/5 free car parking
- Facilities 5/5 Excellent restaurant & spa, stunning views from the lounge.
To find out more about stays and events at Beech Hill Hotel & Spa visit their website.
