A Perfect Weekend Break in the Lakes
When time is precious, you want a perfect weekend break in the Lakes that doesn’t waste a moment. And if you’re driving from Manchester, Merseyside, Yorkshire or the North East it will take you just a couple of hours to reach us here at the Cedar Manor. Where we will have everything ready for your perfect weekend.
Arrival and Settling In
You’ll be hungry on arrival, so we can have a platter ready for you, meats and cheeses from our fabulous local suppliers. If there’s still some daylight when you get here, take a wander down the lane to the shore of Windermere at Miller Ground for some fabulous views. You can even jump in here and have a swim if it proves irresistible.
Then a great night’s sleep in one of our rooms or suites, and you’re ready for the best breakfast in Windermere, and an action packed couple of days. If you’ve had enough of driving, leave the car parked here for the weekend and check out the itinerary we prepared for visitors coming by train. But you might want to see as much as possible from your own car, so here’s our ideas for your perfect weekend.
The Grand Tour
The Grand Tour
How about a round trip that takes in several Lakes, an adventurous mountain pass, and the road that’s been voted the most picturesque in England? Set off from here and head north along the A591 to Ambleside and then take the famous road known as The Struggle which will bring you to the top of the Kirkstone Pass. It’s not dangerous, but you need to concentrate on a gradient like this, with several bends. The road reaches 20% in places (an average hilly road might be 8 or 9%), and you will pass cyclists battling their way up.
At the top, pull in at the car park on your left for some spectacular views, then head down a little less steeply to the glorious valley of Ullswater. There’s a small lake first, Brotherswater, on your left. Then when you reach the village of Glenridding you can take a break and take a sail on a steamer on Ullswater itself. Our favourite lake.
Back on the road, a mile or so further on take the A5091 (stopping, if you wish, to visit the waterfalls at Aira Force), past the mini-mountain called Great Mell Fell, and take a left turn onto the A66 near Troutbeck. You’ll only be on this busy road for a few minutes. Look out for a left turn at Threlkeld signposted Thirlmere, and meander through the lovely Vale of St John to rejoin the A591.
This is a spectacular road with stunning scenery. On one side, the lake that serves as water supply for Manchester, on the other the lower slopes of Helvellyn, the third highest mountain in England. This is the road that was rebuilt after the damage caused by Storm Desmond in 2015, when landslides and flooding blocked the carriageway for months.
Villages, Dining, and Entertainment
A Famous Village
It brings you to another lake, the delightful Grasmere and village of the same name. There’s plenty of cafes, a renowned art gallery at the Heaton Cooper Studio, bookshops, and the world famous Grasmere Gingerbread, sold from a tiny roadside shop near the parish church. Then keep on heading south, stopping this time in Ambleside to stock up on swimming kit or waterproof gear, depending on the weather. You’ll be back here in time for our spectacular afternoon tea, and then a dash up our local hill, Orrest Head, to earn a cocktail before dinner.
The Stars Come Out at Night
Michelin stars, that is. We’re proud to say that we are the best placed hotel for fine dining that doesn’t have its own restaurant, because we’re surrounded by the great and the good. But be sure to make your decision in advance and book ahead; they are all justifiably very popular.
The Big Screen
If you want some entertainment before or after dinner, we’re delighted to let you know that our local cinema, The Royalty, is re-opening this summer. It’s been developed as a venue capable of hosting a variety of events, not just films. Live music, comedy, theatre are all on the schedule, and the famous Wurlitzer organ has been revamped. An opening event is scheduled for June 14 when The Upbeat Beatles will take to the stage.
Sunday Adventures and Farewell
Lazy Sunday?
You’re welcome to take to the lounge after breakfast with the Sunday papers, or head into the sun on our terrace. But if you don’t want to waste a minute of your perfect weekend in the Lakes, how about an iconic valley, a waterfall walk, and a couple of hours at a spa before a late Sunday lunch. Great Langdale lies at the foot of those Pikes, the famous outline you saw on the way here across the other side of Windermere. It’s only half an hour to drive there from the Cedar Manor, but it feels like entering another world, with magnificent mountains rising on all sides.
From the Old Dungeon Ghyll hotel at the head of the valley (big car park nearby) you can climb up the side of Stickle Ghyll to the waterfall of Dungeon Ghyll Force. If you’re wearing good boots, consider going further up to Stickle Tarn, or even to the top of Harrison Stickle, the highest of the Pikes. We have maps and guidebooks here for you to borrow. Just ask before you set off.
The Iconic Lakes Pub
Have a pint in the ODG when you get back down. This is the place where the early rock climbers would gather, sleep in a barn, climb hard all day and drink hard all night. But you’re moving on, back along the valley to the village of Elterwater where you can get a pub lunch at the Britannia Inn. Or head back into Ambleside for lunch at the coolest cafe in town, The Force. It’s a ten minute walk up the hill alongside the spectacular Stock Ghyll waterfall, but there is parking on site if you’re short of time and want to drive up there. The food and the views are fabulous.
Not hungry yet? If you’ve booked ahead you could spend couple of hours at the fabulous spa resort at Low Wood Bay. It’s open to non-residents and it’s just a couple of miles along the road from here.
Stay longer if you can. We'd love to have you around. But if you do have to head back on Sunday evening, we hope we've shown you how to have the perfect weekend break in the Lakes.