Beauty and peace on your doorstep

Jan 5 2010 by Nick Peet, Liverpool Echo

Lola the bulldog takes Nick Peet for a week of splashing about in the Lake District

THE stress and strain of holiday travel often leaves you needing another break, even before you’re back breathing Mersey air.

Hours queuing at foreign airport check-in desks can test the blood pressure of even the most patient of high flyers, while constant air traffic delays can spoil the most exciting of breaks in the sun.

And I am sure we’ve all suffered from outrageous early morning hotel check-out times, when you’re left to store your luggage with a dozen other families, in some unlocked reception room and forced to shower using the poolside garden tap!

Fortunately for me I’m a happy flyer, so the prospect of a couple of hours in the sky with nothing but dry air and steamed meals in plastic trays actually appeals, but you can see what I’m getting at here.

For all those reasons and for one other – our seductively salivating 12-month old bundle of bulldog – we ditched the flip-flops and sunglasses in favour of a delectably British break this year.

And who would’ve guessed that just 90 minutes from Liverpool lies the kind of picturesque and beautiful landscape that you won’t find on the Costas.

The Lake District is a place which I had associated with retired folk and cub scouts, but I found to be arguably one of the most relaxing holiday destinations I’ve ever been to.

Aside from the fact the door-to-door travel time is shorter than your average trip through passport control, the Lakes offer more adventure for your pennies than any sandy beach or desert island ever could.

So what if the sun shines only briefly through the summer months, this is rural England at its most enchanting.

We stayed in a privately owned, luxury pine lodge which hangs out over the Troutbeck River, on the established Limefitt Park complex.

The park is home to dozens of holiday homes and luxury cabins and boasts a range of facilities including a children’s play area, a swimming hole and even a dog park, which to Lola’s delight included an icy stream for splashing about in.

The lodge, one of three holiday homes owned by Mr and Mrs Hobson located on the park, was extremely cosy with a roaring gas fire and relaxing leather sofas rivalled only by the big comfy beds.

Perhaps surprisingly, for a lodge which welcomes pets, there was no sign of over the top pet-proofing either, which made our stay more welcoming.

From the Sky TV (at the Haybarn) through to the wireless internet connection, the amenities both inside the lodge and on the park itself – there is also on-site pub and newsagents – offer you the chance to either get away from it all or simply take a break in a home away from home.

For the active person the area is, naturally, one big fell-walk or run and so we wrapped Lola up in her harness and headed for the hills most mornings.

The location of the park means that it is ideally positioned to experience the very best of the Lakes.

From the well-developed and established shop-lined streets of Windermere, to the more basic but far more tranquil village of Glenridding at Ullswater, Limefitt Park is slap bang in the middle just a short drive in either direction.

The highlight of our stay was a day spent at Ullswater, first cheering home the hundreds of sportsmen and women taking part in the gruelling annual village triathlon, followed by getting stuck in a cloud while attempting to navigate our way back across the brilliant winding lanes of the Kirkstone Pass.

The landscape here is like something you would expect to find in New Zealand. I was half expecting a gang of Orcs carrying hobbits to rumble by while we were pulled over in the heavy rain munching on crisps and chocolate and peering out through steamy windows.

Another must during any stay is just a short five minute walk from the park in the form of the Mortal Man gastro pub, which has character and charm in abundance.

The old inn dates back to 1689 and welcomes dogs, which meant the Lola didn’t have to miss out on a five star meal, as she sat under the table eating her way through bread rolls and tit-bits.

And I can heartily recommend the house speciality, Sally Birkett’s Hotpot.

Back at the Kingfisher Lodge and Lola was splashing away in the streams, looking on bewildered at the fields of sheep and cows and chasing spiders across the decking.

She absolutely loved it, and so did we. Thoroughly relaxing and now most definitely a calendar event.

A five star stay in five star Britain and just 90 minutes from home. Brilliant.

http://cottageblogger.com/2010/01/5-ways-to-make-your-vacation-rental-stand-out-from-the-competition/

3: Make your website sticky – if you have lots of information on your site that makes it interesting they are more likely to stick around. For example, if you were looking for a pet friendly vacation in the Lake District (UK), why would you look further than either Otter or Kingfisher Lodge. Not only is this welcoming but there’s lots of information for dog lovers to explore. It’s a great example of using a vacation rental web site to share more than just a few listing details. I’ll be reviewing the Windermere Lodges web sites soon as there is a lot to learn from what this owner has achieved.

How LOVELY is that – thank you Heather!

It’s quite rare to read about a new idea in tourism and they have a few really great suggestions for days out.

There’s the:

• Wordsworth Trail
• Valentine’s day trip (available every day! Now how romantic is THAT!)
• Ale Trail
• Cake and Cocktails (I think I know someone who’d like that one)
• Culture Vulture Tour

…and even better they are dog friendly so you don’t need to worry about leaving your best friend at home!

The Lake District is a haven for dogs to take their owners on some fabulous walks. There are loads of web sites which detail local walks. On the Walking World site there are even some walks that can be done from the cabin door – just type in “LA23 1PA” or “Troutbeck” into the search box. Be sure to check out our doggy page for advice about safety on the fells though!

2. Go for a ride in a boat

The steamers on Ullswater and Coniston and the cruisers on Windermere and Derwentwater all accept dogs for a small charge. You can also take dogs on the hire boats from Shepherd of Windermere.

3. Go for a swim

Not all dogs are keen but our retriever can’t keep out of the water. For a really magical moment put on a wet suit and get in with them!

4. Go to a pub

The Lake District is the home to some of the finest traditional pubs in the land, and many accept dogs. Our three favourite doggy pubs are The Mortal Man and The Queen’s Head in Troutbeck and the Watermill at Ings. The Mortal Man has a fantastic beer garden and the Watermill has a great selection selection of beer. Both do good unpretentious food at reasonable prices. The Queens Head thinks it’s a bit more “upmarket” with prices to match. Did someone say “gastropub”?

5. Visit the gardens of a big house

It’s always worth checking before you go as some place don’t allow dogs – It’s a shame that Holehird Gardens near the lodges isn’t dog friendly as it would make a great walk, but places like Hutton-in-the-Forest and the Brockhole visitor centre do (at the time of writing)

6. Go to the beach

Grange and The Lakeland peninsulas have some lovely dog-walking beaches on them, and St Bees in the North has a magical beach with rock-pools, herons, and oyster catchers. You can even watch for porpoise in the Irish Sea if you bring binoculars.

7. Seek out some history

Hardknott Roman Fort, Ambleside Roman Fort, Lanercost Priory, Muncaster Castle, Sizergh Castle, Mayburgh Henge and Ravenglass Roman Bath House all allow dogs in the grounds.

8. Spoil your dog

Pop down to our favourite pet shop in the Lakes – Paws by the Lake (015394 32014), an original shop at Waterhead, Ambleside which combines both a pet shop and gift shop for pet lovers, and buy your best friend a toy.

You can also try Lakeland Pet Supplies at 28 Main Rd, Windermere, LA23 1DY, (015394 44458) or if you want a bigger choice there’s a Pets at Home in the South Lakeland Retail Park, Kendal.

If you want to have your dog groomed you could take him to Studio K9 in Bowness.

9. Give your dog’s legs a rest and take him for a train ride

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway both allow dogs.

10. Bring your dog to stay at the best dog friendly pine lodges in The Lakes!

If your dog could talk he’d have phoned us to book either Otter Lodge or Kingfisher Lodge already.