Please read the article and take note – the fells are alovely place to [...]]]> An article published in the Westmorland Gazette today shows the importance of keeping your dogs under control out on the fellsides. This is not just well meant advice – it could save your dog’s life (and those of some sheep as well).

Please read the article and take note – the fells are alovely place to exercise your dog,  but the farmers do have a livelihood to protect.

If you really are hoping to find somewhere you’re probably going to have to pay the premium [...]]]> A lot of people seem to be leaving it very late to look for New Year availability – all three of our lodges have been booked for over 2 months now but we are still getting loads of enquiries!

If you really are hoping to find somewhere you’re probably going to have to pay the premium and book with some of the agencies now, as everyone else I know who rents privately is also booked.

If you are still looking you might want to try Cumbrian Cottages who do seem to have some availability left, even though they were only taking full week bookings when I looked at the website just now.

Of course you can always decide to come next year and book one of our lodges now 

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:

I think she was being rather naive, and ignoring the fact that if people will pay their prices then Center Parcs  would be daft to charge less. They are a business after all not a charity.

Having said that, [...]]]> Anne Robinson has a bit of a go at Center Parcs tonight on Watchdog for their pricing policy.

I think she was being rather naive, and ignoring the fact that if people will pay their prices then Center Parcs  would be daft to charge less. They are a business after all not a charity.

Having said that, not everyone wants to fork out large sums to cycle round pretending to be Dutch,  and not all log cabins cost you an arm and a leg to stay in.

So,  thought I’d compare a midweek break in November at Centre Parcs, Whinfell Forest with our own prices.

Monday November 9th – Friday November 13th (lucky for some, but maybe not those booking into Whinfell Forest as we shall see  )

Center Parcs
Lakeside Lodge 2 Bedroom
Executive 2 Bedroom Lakeside Lodge Double x 1 / Twin x 1
Sleeps up to 4 people
Price £579.00

When I checked they didn’t seem to have any availability for dogs, but it seems that if they did 2 dogs would cost you £80 more! (“Extra fee covers cost of cleaning and maintenance.”)

So how much are we charging?

Limefitt Park
Otter Lodge
Riverside Lodge 2 Bedroom
Luxury 2 Bedroom Beckside Lodge Double x 1 / Bunk x 1
Sleeps up to 4 people + 2 dogs
Price £255.00

That’s £215 for a riverside two bedroom lodge + £35 cleaning charge with an extra £5 if you bring up to two dogs (“Extra fee covers cost of cleaning and maintenance.”). Grand total £255 compared with £659 at Center Parcs – and we throw in free leisure passes to White Cross Bay, so you can still go for a swim!

… and Watchdog seemed to think that the Center Parcs prices after half term were quite reasonable. 

Now what would YOU do with that extra £400

You could hire a boat on Windermere for a full day for 4 people from the Low Wood Water Sports centre for £100
You could take the whole family to the Aquarium of the Lakes for £20
You could get a three hour family mountain boarding lesson for £100 at Surf the Turf in Kendal
You could all do Go Ape at Grizedale for £90
You could eat all out at The Mortal Man for about £60
You could get fish and chips from The Little Chippy in Windermere for about £25

and you’ve still got £5 left

Sedbergh Festival of Books & Drama Friday 18 – Sunday 27 September

Old Laundry Theatre Programme September – November

CAMRA Beer Festival, Kendal Town Hall 14 – 17 October

Kendal Festival of Food Saturday [...]]]> Here are a few of the available events to keep you entertained in the Lake District between now and Christmas.

Sedbergh Festival of Books & Drama Friday 18 – Sunday 27 September

Old Laundry Theatre Programme September – November

CAMRA Beer Festival, Kendal Town Hall 14 – 17 October

Kendal Festival of Food Saturday 24 – Saturday 31 October

Music from a Foreign Land Thursday 5  – Saturday 7 November

Kendal Mountain Festival Thursday 19 – Sunday 22 November

Ulverston Dickensian Festival Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 November

Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair & Procession Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 December

http://www.outdoorenthusiasts.co.uk/new-visitor-centre-for-the-lake-district/

That will be great for our guests as it’s only 3 miles away from the lodges.