Travelling

Travelling
from London to the Lake District is no mean feat.
It’s after four hours of barrelling along the tarmac that my good
girlfriend begins to search flight routes – something she promises
is down to the distance, rather than my driving skills. An hour
later, we find ourselves navigating narrow country lanes, skirting
the gin-clear waters of Ullswater lake. In the next instance, a
single turn reveals a cluster of mystical mountains,
heather-blanketed trails and stretches of fiery-hued trees. We’ve
arrived at Another Place.

Sister property to Cornwall’s popular Watergate Bay Hotel, the Georgian majesty sits
on the banks of the sail-flecked Ullswater lake, amid some seven
hectares of the Lake District National Park. Spread across two adjoining
buildings, 47 bedrooms, three dining spaces and a super-slinky spa
make for a nurturing, nature-rich retreat. A recent renovation is
set to take guests a little closer to the wilds, with the “Outside”
project adding six rustic huts, a treehouse suite and a greenhouse
dining space. The refurb, brought to life by the talented craftsmen
behind Blackdown Shepherd Huts, features the same high-end
comforts that the hotel is known for, allowing guests to properly
unplug.

Ullswater lake, left, and the cosy library space. | Photo
credit: Luke Hayes

En route to our shepherd hut, we spot a group of individuals
axe-throwing, another group kayaking, and then a chalkboard sign
emerges, etched with more activities than we could ever have
dreamed of. It hits us that Another Place could easily pass as an
adventure camp for outdoor enthusiasts – a thought we can only
welcome. Despite this, there is a laid-back vibe across the board,
from the porch lined with muddy wellies to a lounge space serving
complimentary hot beverages.

Rooms

We’re staying in one of the couple shepherd huts – two shepherd
huts seamlessly connected by a glass walkway. One room houses a
double bed and an enormous freestanding copper bathtub; the other,
a log burner, well-stocked pantry and a cosy sofa set-up. Every
angle of the cabin offers sweeping views across the surrounding
landscape, with – added bonus – a retractable stargazing roof
perfectly positioned above the bed. There’s also a spacious
bathroom that comes complete with a walk-in shower, vanity space
and shelves stocked with organic toiletries. Outside, a private
manicured garden is decorated with fairy lights,
ready-to-snuggle-under blankets, deck chairs and an enormous fire
pit. S’mores session, incoming.

A shepherd hut bedroom, left, and a snug living space. |
Photo credit: Jeremy Phillips

What’s for breakfast?

Breakfast takes place in the Rampsbeck Restaurant, where bowls
of fresh fruit salads, flaky pastries, fist-sized muffins and
baskets of bread are on standby for a healthy kick-start to your
day. If, like us, you prefer to treat yourself to an indulgent
breakfast when holidaying, there’s a waffle iron and daily-changing
hot dish menu, too. During our visit, we feasted on sizzling
sausages, perfectly poached eggs and slices of crispy bacon –
between scoffing syrup-drenched waffles, obvs. Fresh-pressed juices
and artisan-style coffees are also available.

How about lunch and dinner?

Lunch, for us, was enjoyed in the newly opened Glasshouse
restaurant. Enveloped by a vegetable and herb garden, from which
many of the ingredients are harvested, the space flaunts rattan
chairs, net lanterns and windows lined with potted plants. The
menu, which is short but deliciously sweet, showcases a selection
of pizzas and light bites.

For dinner, guests have two choices: the Rampsbeck Restaurant
and The Living Space. The Living Space is a more casual affair,
with floor-to-ceiling windows and a chevron-tiled floor providing
the backdrop to a happy mishmash of sofa-style seating and
old-school bistro. Starters include chilli-laced squid, tortilla
chips and battered king prawns, while the mains menu features a
selection of fish cakes, roast half-chicken, and Cumbrian beef
burgers. Across the hall, the Ramsbeck Restaurant carries a more
sophisticated vibe, with candle-strewn tabletops, leather club
chairs and half-panelled walls. The menu draws on local fare, given
a contemporary spin. Our starter consisted of citrus
vodka-macerated watermelon with whipped feta, kalamata olives and
pickled rind – an unusual but exquisite concoction. We then got to
work on the baked sea bass, which was served on a bed of crushed
garden peas and parmentier potatoes. Dessert? Easily the best
sticky toffee pudding to have ever passed our lips.

Is there a bar?

There’s no dedicated bar, as such, but there are plenty of
places to enjoy a glass of red. We picked up a bottle and enjoyed
it from the comfort of our own private courtyard.

Amenities

Put it this way, you won’t be scratching your head for things to
do during your stay. The Swim Club spa complex houses an enormous
20m pool, treatment rooms, sauna and an outdoor heated plunge tub,
which changes temperature seasonally. Then, there’s the lake, where
kayaking, moonlit dips and stand-up paddleboard yoga take place.
There’s also a library area stocked with books and board games for
when the weather decides not to play ball. Adventurer types should
keep their eyes peeled for Another Place’s active break packages,
which cover Pilates workshops, wild swim camps and yoga retreats.
Guided walks are available on request.

How about their eco-credentials?

Trophy-worthy. From sustainable menus to planet-friendly energy
policies, strict waste-management systems and a recognised
responsibility for protecting the surrounding landscape, Another
Place is a champion of eco-friendly practices.

What about accessibility?

Two of the ground-floor rooms are suitable for those with
mobility issues. Outdoor rooms don’t have step-free access.

A thrill-seeker, left, and a paddleboarding session on the
lake. | Photo credit: Michael Lazenby

What’s the crowd like?

Dogs, and lots of them. The rest of the crowd looked like
staycationing couples escaping the city for a long, lazy weekend in
the countryside. Kids are welcome.

Things I should know

The grounds can get extremely waterlogged, so we suggest packing
some footwear that you wouldn’t mind jumping into muddy puddles in.
The huts have a great heating system, which means things can get
toastie pretty fast: you won’t need to pack any heat supplies or
sleepwear woollies.

Within a short walk I can find…

The attentive team is on hand to keep you up to date with what’s
happening in the local area, with information relayed through a
mobile app or at the reception desk. From festivals to swim
challenges, theatre shows and art installations, there are plenty
of cultural events to check out.