Love is in the Lakes: Romantic Ideas for Valentine’s Day
IF love is in the air for Valentine’s Day, then love is in the Lakes. So this is where you want to be, to find love and romance. But how do you find the best places where love is in the Lakes? We have some romantic ideas. And to help you get the mood right, we’ve created our own Cedar Manor playlist of love songs.
The Back Seat at the Movies
Arriving on Friday for the weekend? Why not spend the evening watching a romantic movie. And we're not talking Netflix. Just a mile along the road from here at Bowness we have our own local cinema of which we're very proud, the Royalty. They show the latest blockbuster movies at a fraction of the price you'd pay at a multiplex, and occasionally there are live concerts of light classical music played on the cinema's own Wurlitzer organ. Our Friday night playlist: Friday I’m in love (The Cure)
Watch a Mountain Sunrise
Some of the most stunning photos we've seen of the Lake District are taken at sunrise. But even if you don't want to capture it with your camera, watching the sun come up over a lake or a mountain is a wonderfully romantic moment. Traditionally Helvellyn is known as the sunrise mountain, and there are people who make the trek up this, the third highest peak in England, just for the view as the sun comes up. Some even sleep there overnight in the summer. But this is a bit extreme even for early birds. So why not head up our favourite mini-mountain, Orrest Head? The path starts from the main road just near us here at the Cedar Manor so you really have no excuse. Our sunrise playlist: Running up that hill/ Kate Bush
An Enchanted Lake
How could you not feel the love in a pretty painted rowing boat out in the middle of gorgeous Grasmere! This is one of the most beautiful lakes, and you can hire rowing boats at the delightful Faeryland where there's also a garden tea-room. The lake is said to be the home of fairies and pixies after dark; in the daytime you can show off the strength of your love by pulling on those oars. Our playlist for a lake romance: That’s how strong my love is (Otis Redding)
Cruise into the Sunset
If you don't want the exertion of rowing a boat, then take a sail on our wonderful Windermere with Windermere Lake Cruises. Yes, you can sail into the sunset in the evening, but you can take a cruise at any time of the day, down to the south of the lake at Lakeside, or north to Waterhead. There are jetties along the way so you can plan a hop-on, hop-off sort of day. And at this time of the year, the boats are not going to be crowded, so the romantic atmosphere is all yours. Our cruising playlist: My Baby just cares for me (Nina Simone)
Plan Your Wedding
If you're planning to propose while you're in the Lakes, then why not plan your wedding here, too. There are many fabulous venues to choose from. But perhaps the most appropriate of all is the home of the most famous Romantic poet, William Wordsworth. The house and gardens where he lived at Rydal Mount can be yours exclusively for the wedding of your dreams. The poet's great great great great grandson was married here last summer. And as an extra treat, you can stay the night in the bedroom that William shared with his wife Mary. Come and stay with us afterwards for your honeymoon, of course. Our playlist for a wedding (just hear those bells at the start): Everywhere (Fleetwood Mac)
A Cosy Fire in a Country Pub
You've spent the day together, you're going to spend the night together. Why not cuddle up in front of the fire in a cosy Lakeland pub at the end of your romantic day. There are many to choose from here in the Lakes. Our favourites include the famous Drunken Duck at Barngates, near Hawkshead, where the food is fabulous too. Or if you want to have an easy stroll home, why not head to the Crafty Baa here in Windermere, where you'll find a fantastic list of craft beers, and maybe some live music too. Our cosy fire playlist: Eternal Flame (The Bangles)