Weekend away
A LAKESIDE SHEPHERD HUT IN CUMBRIA OFFERS OUTDOOR LIVING WITH THE COMFORTS OF A HOTEL, JUST THE THING FOR SOME FAMILY FUN
Early spring can be a fickle time, tempting us outside with promises of cheery blossom and mild weather, then scuttling us back into the warmth of our sofas with sudden rain showers. Perhaps not the best time, you might think, to book a stay outdoors in the north of England. Venturing to the Lake District, however, brings abundant rewards at this time of year from ethereal mists suspended above tarns to fells swathed in every shade of green and glorious drifts of daffodils. Designed to bring guests closer to the wild, the six handcrafted oak shepherd’s huts and secluded treehouse at Another Place, on the shores of Ullswater, are a welcome balm: a chance to bookend your day with open air moments – a morning coffee accompanied by the dawn chorus; a night cap beside a glowing fire pit – but with all the home comforts of a laid-back hotel on your doorstep.
Where we stayed
We stayed in one of the six Blackdown Shepherd Huts in the hotel’s beautifully landscaped gardens, perched on Ullswater’s western shore. The surprisingly spacious two-bed suite was actually two huts braced together and joined by a glass walkway, with a stargazing roof positioned over the sumptuous kingsize double bed. There was also a kids’ bunk room and a snug living room set around a wood-burning stove. Steps lead down to a terraced deck enclosed by rhododendrons and swaying drifts of ornamental grasses with a fire-pit and all-weather bean bags for soaking in views of the lake and fells in the distance. Inside the hut’s ‘pantry’, a Stanley flask, enamel mugs and towers of Tunnock’s tea cakes set you up for a weekend of exploring and adventuring outdoors.
What we did
The hotel’s chief attraction is its lakeside location. A blackboard by reception is updated daily with ideas for getting out and about, such as cross-lake swims and guided canoe trips. I joined a stargazing night swim and my partner explored the lake’s fringes by paddleboard. We also followed the 5.8km ‘Another Place Loop’, which led us past the marina’s gently chiming sails up to Watermillock church before snaking back through fields. The hotel balances a laid-back kids-run-free atmosphere with refined grownup spaces, and our three-year-old daughter loved gallivanting around the grounds, swinging in tree swings and leaping into the pool. She also went to a free two-hour supervised session at the Kids Zone, giving me time to have a rejuvenating massage.
What we ate
The hotel has three places to eat and a fourth, The Brackenrigg Inn, is opening this April. On night one, we settled into The Living Space, a bright but homely restaurant with sink-in sofas and an informal feel, and enjoyed pulled beef brisket tacos, followed by caramelised banana crème brûlée. It was refreshing to see a children’s menu that wasn’t all nuggets and pizza, too, and our little one tucked into ham hock terrine and baked hake with veg. On our second night, we dressed up for the Rampsbeck, which serves a seasonal menu influenced by local flavours.
We also liked
Staying within the glorious landscaped gardens amid the scent of blossom and tussle of blackbirds. Our shepherd’s hut overlooked the Victorian-style Glasshouse restaurant (serving wood-fired pizzas) and a charming kitchen garden, where guests are invited to potter. On one of our wanders, we bumped into head gardener James Cox, who was happy to show us around. James works closely with the chefs and bartenders and we often saw him strolling across the lawn to the hotel kitchen, arms full with crates of newly harvested rainbow chard or rhubarb.
The best bit
My stargazing night swim in Ullswater with champion cold water swimmer Colin Hill. With a bright crescent moon rising over the lake and a nip in the air, I could barely imagine a better night for a dip. I filled a Thermos with sweet minty tea and headed down to the Sheep Shed, where Colin was waiting to kit out our group in wetsuits, boots and gloves. We tucked LED lights into our tow floats and padded down to the jetty like a trail of glow worms, before swimming along the shore and floating on our backs to gaze up and chat about the stars. Clambering out in the moonlight was a surreal and memorable experience.
Another Place Family Shepherd’s Hut (sleeping two adults and two children) from £402 per night B&B; another.place/hotel/outside.