Relax and Reinvigorate: 5 ways to relax and 5 ways to reinvigorate in the Lakes

Are you holidays all about relaxation? Is your perfect break one of blissful basking, cocktail sipping and gentle pottering? Is your idea of a thrill finding the perfect gift for a loved-one in a gift shop full of treasures? Are you looking to leave the rigours of daily life behind and embrace a chilled-out, carefree existence for a wonderful week (or two)?

Or perhaps you have had your fill of sitting around, trapped in the relentless mundane, and are bursting to get out, get active and have adventures. Is your idea of living hurtling downhill on a challenging biking trail or do you come to life on a lung-bursting ascent to the summit of one of England’s highest peaks?

Whatever your preference, the Lake District National Park has you covered. We’ve picked out some of favourite relaxing and invigorating pastimes that you can enjoy on your next visit to the Lakes.

Relax

1. Soak up some sun in your cottage garden. Step straight from your cottage back door into your own garden with spectacular views. Pour yourself a drink, get yourself comfy and stay there! Afterall why would you need to go anywhere else?

2. Enjoy fine dining – Don’t feel like cooking? There is no shortage of wonderful places to eat in the Lakes. And with new delivery services such as the incredible. Simon Rogan at Home, you can enjoy fine dining from the comfort of your own cottage.

3. Take a boat trip – want maximum views for minimum effort? Set sail with a Lake District cruise. Services such as Windermere Lake Cruises, Ullswater Steamer and Coniston Gondola run all year round and offer incredible views of the Lake’s at its very best.

4. Potter – wander round quaint villages filled with local gifts and produce such as the picturesque Hawkshead. Here you will find a range of shops offering everything from outdoor clothing to Beatrix Potter keepsakes.

5. Hit the beach – we’ve got loads. Both Lakeside and beachside! Whilst the beach may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Cumbria we actually have mile upon mile of spectacular coastline. Our beaches are vast open spaces where, even on the busiest summer day, you may not encounter another soul. And that’s not mention the miles of lakeside beaches for a spot of waterside relaxation. Coniston Water enjoys multiple access points along its shoreline, perfect for picnics and paddling.

Invigorate

1. Climb a mountain – If you would like to stake your claim of having climbed the highest mountain in England then Scafell Pike is the ultimate “hill bag” in England. But it’s far from the only notable summit in the Lakes. Thousands of visitors take to the hills each year to enjoy the invigorating sense of achievement and accomplishment that a days hiking can bring. Popular quests include, Helvellyn, The Old Man of Coniston and Skiddaw but there are endless opportunities for heart-pounding, blood rushing hiking through the Lake District National Park. Get a map, strap on your boots and start bagging!

2. Go for a wild swim – the popularity of wild swimming is on the rise. With claims of the many invigorating health benefits of cold-water swimming more and more of us are taking the plunge. And for the uninitiated the Lakes is the perfect place to start. Check out our Wild Swimming Blog for the best places to get active in the water.

3. Get active – there are endless ways to get your body moving and your mind revived in the Lakes. You can swing through the Tree Tops with Go Ape in Grizedale Forest, embark on a gill scrambling excursion up a waterfall or try your hand at rock climbing on a climbing course with a qualified instructor .

4. Get on your bike – For experienced mountain bikers there are ample challenging rides to get stuck into throughout the Lakes whilst for beginners there are miles upon miles of forest trails to explore. Grizedale Forest is a great place to start your mountain biking adventure and is only a short distance away for our Coniston guests.

5. Have an adventure – there are now more ways than ever to find adventure in the Lakes; hire a boat and sail to “Wildcat Island” take a friendly alpaca for a walk, try out paddle-boarding on Coniston Water. The list of potential adventures is endless, so get out there and start yours!