The art of doing absolutely nothing. Just sitting with your thoughts, untangling your mind of any outstanding things you haven’t gotten around to thinking about, and staring into space before you inevitably reach for your phone. Trying to disconnect and allow yourself to relax without any intrusion can be difficult if, like us, you live in a city where things are always happening. Even if you don’t live in a city, it does feel good to get away from the monotonous day-to-day and put the time in to look after yourself and your mind. It’s also nice to head to somewhere where you’ll be thoroughly looked after in the process, allowing yourself to let go of the daily stresses.
The hotel
Finding a 5-star gem like Langdale Chase in the Lake District is something I don’t really want to shout about too much, as the exclusive gothic hotel that only holds 30 rooms, is really rather special. Its sociable staff, who take a lot of pride in what they do, are welcoming and as your stay progresses, you find yourself bumping into them and having a quick chat that in turn feels genuine and sincere. At the same time you can quite easily grab a newspaper, order a peppermint tea, and choose one of the many casual lounges to sit in, and you won’t be disturbed. What’s really blissful is, at some moments of the day in the hotel lounges, it will feel like it has been completely vacated and that you are the only ones left. The palette of sounds you’re left with are the ambient hotel music and the occasional dining plate being placed in the distance. It’s this that the hotel gets exactly spot on; the right balance of friendliness yet also allowing you to mind your own business as and when you see fit. It’s the joy of a boutique hotel that does the simple things extremely well.
Langdale Chase was built in the 1890s and completed in 1895 by Edna Howarth as a place for her and her daughter to live in. It wasn’t until the late 1920s that it then became a hotel. As soon as you walk into the Grade II listed hotel you can clearly see its history and the details of restoration that have taken place over the 16 months of it being closed. The original ornate wood panelling in the great hall has been re-varnished over the course of 3 months and feels like you’ve stepped back in time; it really takes your breath away. As well as the original hand-carved gargoyles and stained glass windows, the hotel features an AA Rosette awarded restaurant, a cinema room, a wine cellar for wine tasting sessions with Jess the onsite sommelier, and a carefully landscaped grounds where you can wander down and take in the views across the iconic Windermere lake; make sure you chat to the groundskeeper if you do have any questions on the plants.
The food
Back inside, make sure you book yourself in for an afternoon tea, as it’s Swallows and Amazons theme (based on the classic children’s novel of course) features the most delectable pastries; they are the best in the area and are certainly something to shout about or to keep a secret, as it can get busy around the weekends. A dessert highlight of ours was the chocolate and marmalade tart fancy which was extremely light and just perfect after eating so much.
Onwards into the evening, and dinner is certainly served. Do invite your friends as this is an evening of fine dining, show-stopping wines and smart service. Saturday is one of the busiest days, so do book in advance. Breads change each day and are completely unique, with combinations of curry bread with coriander butter and soda bread with Guinness and maple syrup butter. For starters we highly recommend the salt aged Gressingham duck which takes the form of a pâté and is enveloped in a bright red lacquer. We then paired this with the Atlantic wild halibut for the main which is a classic done very well, finish with the surprisingly light sticky toffee soufflé.
What to do
The next morning you’ll want to get out and about and what better way to start the day than a spot of 4x4 off-roading driving at Graythwaite Adventure which is just across the Windermere lake. Dress in your best Diana Princess of Wales attire, channel your Made in Chelsea voice and be prepared to have the most fun you can have at 0.5 miles an hour. It might sound ridiculous but the rocky terrain and dramatic landscape are something you can’t not do in the Lake District. You’ll be with an instructor the whole time, there’s no gear, clutch or brake control to worry about, and once you start driving, it really challenges you and you will soon be thinking that maybe the farm life is for you. Either way it’s a great little adventure and you can even try some archery and clay pigeon shooting after if you fancy a little bit more adventure. Prices start from £130 for one hour where you can split the drive between 2-4 people per Land Rover. graythwaiteadventure.co.uk
The room
After a morning of adventure and a shop around either Windermere or Ambleside (make sure you buy an original print from National Print Shop to remember your trip; Pete & Ian are incredibly welcoming), heading back to Langdale Chase and lounging in your suite overlooking the lake is when you can hit pause once again. Run a bath in the marble layered bathroom, play some relaxing music and maybe even order a bit of room service, because why not. We stayed in the Wray Castle Suite which is situated at the far end of the main house, meaning it’s peaceful and it offers you a flawless view overlooking the gardens and luscious lake that you could easily daydream into all afternoon. It has its own separate lounge and dining table too, which is just so extra. The room itself is quintessential British decor, complete with plaid throws, muted grey cream and blue tones to relax the mind and elegant wallpaper prints & sideboards akin to a White Lotus scene. If only we could WFH forever here…
Room rates at Langdale Chase start from £290 per night, on a B&B basis. langdalechase.co.uk
