‘I go to the Lake District every year and these are the best activities for families’
My husband and I are big fans of the Lake District after discovering Keswick for our 10th wedding anniversary last year, and this time we wanted to return to the beautiful views and have a different experience with our two young kids. I still wanted to relax among the chaos of bringing our little ones, and The Swan Hotel and Spa by Newby Bridge ticked these boxes with its quirky, relaxed setting, an outdoor play area and swimming pool to keep the kids entertained, and a spa for us adults. You can even take your dog, which reflects the hotel’s warm atmosphere.
There are cottages available but we chose to stay in one of the hotel’s family suites, which have a separate room with bunk beds. The restaurant, which has a cosy fire, serves superb food, including amazing roast dinners that even got approval from the world’s two fussiest eaters.
Having some evening drinks outside is a must, admiring the view of the River Leven while the sun is setting, before taking advantage of the complimentary cookies and milk delivered to your room before bedtime.
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The spa at The Swan
The Swan’s Holte Spa is an adult-only zone, and guests get two hours of access during their stay. Here I escaped for a moment of complete bliss, yo-yoing between the outdoor Finnish sauna and Jacuzzi before finishing with a 30-minute Temple Spa massage. I suffer from back problems and this one started with a breathing exercise and clenching and unclenching of fists to release tension before the real relaxation began. It worked a treat.
Things to do with kids in the Lake District
As this was a family staycation, we had to visit The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, a 15-minute drive away in Crag Brow. The closest car park, Rayrigg Road, is opposite, an essential find with children in tow. A family ticket for two adults and two kids cost £30, and we were there for about an hour and a half, the kids engrossed in Peter Rabbit’s garden that brought their favourite characters to life. After exploring this quaint town, we grabbed some fish and chips and enjoyed them by the lake, watching the boats and ducks.
Five minutes away, Windermere Jetty Museum has recently had an extensive makeover. Here you can explore Windermere’s 200-year boating history and book a 30-minute heritage boat trip around one of the UK’s most beautiful locations, the Lake District National Park.
How to book
Rooms at The Swan Hotel and Spa start from £180 per night and from £240 per night for a suite with breakfast included.
