Enjoy an Autumn break

Autumn is probably my favourite time of the year. It has a vibrancy about it: red gold leaves glazed by recent raindrops glint bauble-like upon fell-side trees; breezes sigh, rustling tangled bands of fragile bended branches singing songs of Winter to come. Woodland creatures scurry along leaf-carpeted undergrowth, preparing cosy nests for colder months. Birds feed greedily on berries and inspect hedgerows for insects to gobble!

Meanwhile, two-legged strangers tramp through Cumbria’s ancient landscape, marvelling at fells rising high above its numerous watery beauties. There is one official lake, Bassenthwaite Lake, and 15 waters and meres, including Windermere, England’s largest natural body of water, within England’s beauteous Lake District National Park. There are also 197 tarns. Unending open skies form a vast canopy of twinkling stars and silvery moonlight, harshly tender, keeping watch over Lakeland’s mountains, hills, and scars. In broad daylight, one sees and marvels at the wonderful sight of grassy or rocky plains and valleys often criss-crossed by pretty streams, rivers, becks, rivulets and ghylls, with their picturesqueness only being further enhanced by small cascades or roaring waterfalls. Dotting the Lake District’s fells and valleys are sheep, cattle, and other livestock: a rural idyll awaits the intrepid explorer. Look up and about you to see birds swoop and fly in abandon, or observe bolder swans and ducks jostling for bread crumbs to share near populated lake shores.

Of course there are also towns, villages and hamlets to explore. Invariably pretty, they often have something for everyone. There are cute shops purveying local produce, sometimes with tearooms attached. Others may sell locally made products, from pottery to furniture. Or pop into stand alone pubs and restaurants, cafes and coffeeshops where you might be spoilt for choice by what is on the menu. Stroll along narrow lanes and discover places most tourists never find. Do you see that fell behind a shop or village house? Why not ask whether there might be a pretty local walk to stretch your legs? You’d be amazed by some of the stunning scenery to be seen by being on slightly higher ground.

Autumn is one of the best times of the year to visit the Lake District National Park. The weather is often just nice for walks both long and short, and the colours take one’s breath away. Stay at our B&B in Bowness on Windermere and you will see some spectacular Lake Windermere and fell views without even having to leave your en-suite bedroom! However, it is always great to get outside to enjoy exploring one of the UK’s most beautiful National Parks, and to marvel at the myriad vistas it has to offer. Then, return to us at Blenheim Lodge for a peaceful and comfortable night’s sleep before awaking the next morning for an appetising breakfast of tasty local produce designed to keep you going till late in the day.

‘Blenheim Lodge . . . panoramic Lake views, peace and tranquillity, nestled against acres of beautiful fields and woodlands, in the heart of the English Lake District National Park.’