Latest news with #Ullswater
BBC News
23-07-2025
- BBC News
Donald Campbell's Bluebird returns to Ullswater 70 years on
The return of Donald Campbell's Bluebird to the spot where the adventurer set his first water speed world record 70 years ago is "humbling", his daughter clocked 202.32mph (325.6km/h) aboard the hydroplane at Ullswater, in the Lake District, in 1955 and the craft has been on show near Glenridding Pier for the day to mark the Campbell said her father had shown resilience to set the record at a time when many experts believed a boat could not reach such a speed without breaking died in 1967 when Bluebird somersaulted on Coniston Water, also in the Lake District, as he attempted to push one of his subsequent records past 300mph (480km/h). Reflecting on the record's anniversary, Ms Campbell said: "It's really humbling after all these years [to see the interest in] what my father achieved, and to see that he still has a such a huge following."I have to pinch myself each time and say what a legacy he has left for me, my family and our nation."Looking at doing 200mph on water 70 years ago, it almost seems inconceivable."For him to have gone on and broken further records, I always say he must have had a heart of absolute steel."Donald Campbell's Bluebird: The battle back to ConistonTracy Hodgson, director of Coniston's Ruskin Museum which normally houses Bluebird in a dedicated wing, said the event was an opportunity to see a "very special piece of British high-speed motoring history".She added: "Ullswater will always be a special place in the Campbell story, and we are honoured to be able to display Bluebird K7 at Glenridding Pier close to where she was first launched 70 years ago."The event was held in partnership with Ullswater Steamers, which provides cruises on the anniversary commentary was used on selected sailings, giving people the opportunity to see two buoys marking out the measured mile used to set the Ruskin Museum is aiming to run Bluebird again on Coniston Water at some point next year when it will be piloted by Australian Dave Warby, son of the late-water speed world-record holder Ken craft's wreckage was recovered from Coniston Water in 2001 and rebuilt by a team of engineers on was handed over to the Ruskin Museum last year following the resolution of a years-long ownership row with the man who led its restoration. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Times
22-07-2025
- Times
Seven of the UK's best hotels with wild swimming
Infinity pools and Scandi-inspired spas are all very well, but for a truly invigorating dip, nothing quite compares to the sensation of swimming outside, surrounded by nature, with the soundtrack of birdsong. The trend for wild swimming shows no sign of slowing down and an increasing number of hotels around the UK are cottoning on to its popularity by factoring it into their programmes. Several offer tutored sessions with experienced coaches who can help you to perfect your stroke, improve your breathwork and learn techniques for coping with cold-water immersion; wetsuits and tow floats are usually available for less-experienced swimmers. But the great joy of wild swimming is its simplicity — aside from a swimsuit and perhaps a pair of goggles, there's no dire need for any equipment. The only other thing you need is the courage to take the plunge. This swish hotel on the banks of Ullswater in the Lake District is one of the top UK destinations for water activities. Its programme takes in everything from paddleboard lessons to kayaking and wingfoiling, but it also runs regular wild-swim sessions under the gentle guidance of the champion open-water swimmer Colin Hill, who has swum the Channel, coached the UK swimming team in the 2012 Olympics and was the country's first person to swim the ice mile (one mile in a water temperature of less than 5C with no wetsuit). Plunge into waterfalls, swim under the full moon and stargaze while you backstroke. The hotel's three-night Float into the Wild package includes a sauna and a wild-swimming lesson. Details Half-board doubles from £336 ( • Read our full guide to the Lake District This ivy-covered castle has been the family seat of the Cunliffe-Listers since the 1880s and its estate encompasses 20,000 acres of the Yorkshire Dales — including a lily-filled pond (rather unfortunately called Coffin Lake) with a purpose-built swimming platform from which guests can take a wild dip from 7am to sunset from May to September. For a less chilly swim, the hotel also has a sumptuous spa with a heated indoor pool and a thermal suite. Stay in the castle or keep up the wild theme by booking a tree lodge or yurt at Swinton Bivouac. Details B&B doubles from £306 ( With a private lake in 1,000 acres of rewilded countryside on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, this countryside retreat in the Somerleyton Estate is a must-visit destination for wild swimmers. There's a twice-weekly tutored swim during which you can get stroke coaching and tips on technique courtesy of the Peak Open Water Sports team, from May to September. Alternatively, there are lifeguarded wild-swimming sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you're in need of a post–dip warm–up, there's also a floating sauna. Choose from smart clubhouse rooms, cottages or cabins, and be sure to book a table for dinner at the estate's restaurant, which sources much of the ingredients from its kitchen B&B doubles with dinner from £225 ( • 29 of the best hotels in Norfolk Anselm Guise, the owner of the Elmore Court Estate, is returning 250 of his 1,000 acres to nature, inspired by Wilding, the bestselling book by Isabella Tree. He has also built six treehouses for guest stays, along with a Scandinavian-style sauna next to a pond, variously known as Bottomless Pool, Groundless Pool or Madam's Pond. This is proper back-to-nature swimming — reeds, frogs, dragonflies and all — and there are foraging sessions and nature walks with which to continue your wild adventure. The timber-clad treehouses are architect–designed and filled with handmade furniture, and you can order breakfast hampers and charcuterie boards to your Two nights' room only for two from £610 ( Just back from the popular Gyllyngvase beach, this hotel is great for early-morning sea swims — the sand is two minutes' walk away and the Gylly Beach Café is on hand for a hot chocolate. St Michaels runs three-night wild swimming breaks with the instructor Salim Ahmed, who offers yoga, mindfulness and swimming tuition through his company Swimlab in October, January, March and May ( St Michaels Spa is lovely too, and in summer you can book a sauna on the sand with Kiln ( Stay in one of the Spa Garden Lodges, which have outdoor baths and private B&B doubles from £225 ( • 12 of the best places to visit in Cornwall This off-grid escape in Enniskillen has waterside cabins, transparent bubble domes and a slinky spa beside the peaceful waters of Lough Erne. Head to the jetty at dawn or dusk, slip into the lake and listen to the hoot of curlews and the swoosh of sandwich terns as you swim. Afterwards, go to the spa for a session in the shoreline hot tub, a salt float or a stint in the forest relaxation room. Paddleboards or kayaks can be borrowed to explore one of the many islands in the lake. The Sky Suites and cabins are cool and contemporary, but for stargazing potential, book one of the domes, in which you'll feel as though you're sleeping outside, with the added benefits of king-size beds and rolltop B&B doubles from £202 ( There are dozens of wild-swimming options in the Cairngorms — from glassy lochs to icy-cold rivers. At the luxurious Fife Arms, the gillie team will pick your spot with the help of Wild Braemar, which knows all the best locations the owner, Annie Armstrong, grew up here and is an experienced outdoorswoman and nature guide (from £250; Sessions are about two hours, or for a longer day out you could combine your wild swim with a forest hike, picnic and session in a mobile wilderness sauna beside a clattering brook. Then it's back to the hotel for a warming dram in the Flying Stag bar and dinner in the opulent Clunie Dining Room. The suites are full of Highland character, from four-poster beds to Arts and Crafts wallpapers, or for cosiness choose one of the croft-style rooms, which have snug cabin Room–only doubles from £850 ( • Aberdeen has a buzzy new scene — and now is the time to visit Have we missed your favourite? Please share your recommendations in the comments below
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Lake District's sticky toffee pudding pioneers
Cumbria is synonymous with the beauty of its Lake District, unforgettable holidays and tasty desserts. One destination was a symbol of all those qualities for five decades, thanks in large part to the stickiness of its toffee pudding. The Sharrow Bay Hotel is widely regarded as the first country house hotel. Its hospitality became world famous, with celebrities among the travellers from far and wide who flocked to the shores of Ullswater to enjoy the ultimate Lakes the management of chef Francis Coulson - who bought it after seeing an advert in the Manchester Guardian in 1948 - and his partner Brian Sack, Sharrow Bay's reputation reached dizzying became an institution, famed for its decor, friendly atmosphere and, most of all, its cuisine which included one ever-popular indulgence."It was originally called sticky toffee pudding and then, as it got copied, they started to call it the icky sticky toffee pudding," said David Naylor, who worked in the Sharrow Bay kitchen in the 1980s. "I think it just evolved from a date sponge that got made richer and richer, with a lot of cream in the sauce - cream and sugar."I do have a copy of [Francis Coulson's] handwritten recipe somewhere for it, but it's a closely guarded secret." The origins of the sticky toffee pudding are contested. There are those who claim the dessert is Canadian, others who say it came from most agree it was the Sharrow Bay's kitchen that made it world famous, joining other Cumbrian sweets such as Cumberland rum butter, Grasmere gingerbread and Kendal mint cake. "[Sharrow Bay] dined out on that," Mr Naylor said of the famed toffee treat. "That was one of their very famous dishes, it was just copied everywhere." Listen to the archive interviews with Francis Coulson and Brian Sack on Secret Cumbria: The Secrets of Ullswater's Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel on BBC Sounds The hotel's rich cuisine and generous portions attracted the higher end of the tourist market, but it was also the kind of place families saved up to visit for special occasions."There was nothing brash about any of it, it was just this love of food, making it into something you would give to somebody else to give them pleasure - that was Francis all over," Mr Naylor kitchen used local ingredients way before it became a trend and fish deliveries would arrive for the hotel at Penrith's train station one ingredient was king - cream. The same cream that enriched that famous sticky toffee pudding. Mr Naylor said: "We used to get a delivery a couple of times a week - it was a vanload of gallons of cream from Calthwaite, from the Jersey herd, and we used to use these gallon buckets and pour cream out and then more cream."The hotel prided itself on using the best ingredients and also making everything themselves. Bread was baked twice a day and they made their own Naylor said: "It wasn't frenzied, there was never any shouting. It was the gentle art of cooking. "As Francis always used to say, you had to have a light heart to make light pastry." Steven Doherty, former head chef at the three Michelin starred Le Gavroche, remembered: "When I went to Sharrow Bay for the first time in '83 I couldn't believe it - we were looked after."My God, the hospitality was legendary."They quite rightly claimed themselves to be the first true country house hotel and it's safe to say it was."He said Mr Coulson and Mr Sack "worked like dogs"."Sharrow Bay was them. It was pretty obvious they were a gay couple, but in those days you didn't really make a big song and dance about it. "And they were very fortunate to have met each other." Mr Coulson died in 1998, followed by Mr Sack in Bay remained open, but became one of the many victims of the Covid-19 pandemic, shutting down in 2020, much to the dismay of the many who had loved owners of nearby Askham Hall have plans to reopen it this year, though a date has yet to be announced. Back when Mr Coulson bought Sharrow Bay he described the place as being in "rack and ruin", but in an interview with the BBC in 1988 he said the real secret of the hotel was its location in the heart of the Lake District."We were in the most charming position, one couldn't wish for anything better," he explained."I've always said that if by chance we behaved ourselves and worked, these views and this district would carry us part of the way, and I think this is true."And even now, if there is a wonderful sunset or a cloud effect or a wonderful moon reflection in the lake, one calls everybody to the windows to see or on the terrace."It's a great joy to us." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Telegraph
Illegal campers abandon tents and rubbish across Lake District beauty spot
Illicit campers have been abandoning tents and rubbish across the Lake District, neighbours have complained. Up to 20 camps have been set up around Ullswater Lake and Glencoyne Bay in Cumbria every weekend during the summer with many leaving behind tents and camping gear. Large patches of grass had been scorched by disposable barbecues, according to locals. Campers have been accused of chopping down trees for firewood, playing music loudly through portable speakers, smoking cannabis and harming wildlife. One resident claims they found a discarded 12-inch zombie knife at one of the sites. There are 141 dedicated campsites in the area where visitors can pitch a tent without breaking any rules – with seven located around Ullswater Lake. The closest is just a one-minute walk away. Meanwhile, for those who do wild camp, rules include no fires, maximum one-night stays, and small groups with just one or two tents that blend into their surroundings. Landowners have the legal right to order campers to 'break camp and move on' and those who are found guilty of breaking the rules can be fined £100. Stephen Dowson, the National Trust's lead ranger, said fly camping was illegal and camping of any kind is banned from National Trust land. He added: 'Not only does this anti-social behaviour spoil places for other visitors, it also damages habitats and causes harm to wildlife.' 'It makes my blood boil' Local Clive Rowlandson, 54, said the abandoned sites are an 'eyesore', adding: 'The community is heartbroken – there is constant anti-social behaviour, littering, and just general disregard for the area. 'It is common to find litter on the shoreline and around two or three discarded camp sites left for locals to clean up.' Award-winning filmmaker Terry Abraham, who lives in the Eden Valley, claimed he'd seen visitors 'rip out' no camping signs to use as firewood. He added: 'It has got to the point where I no longer want to go for a walk or cycle about Ullswater or the fells as it makes my blood boil and breaks my heart.' Last month the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) asked people to be 'Lake District Kind' during the peak summer season. It followed reports from the authority and other agencies of littering, abandoned disposable barbecues, 'fly camping' and fires being started in popular areas. More than 18 million people visit the Lake District each year. Simon Hill, visitor management lead for LDNPA, said: 'We encourage everyone who is looking forward to enjoying the Lake District to treat it with respect and be Lake District Kind. 'While most people respect the landscape, we are saddened to see instances of littering, fly camping, and fires being lit. 'This isn't just a blemish on the beautiful scenery – it can pose a real threat to safety, habitat, and wildlife.' According to a spokesperson for the authority, wild camping is 'normally tolerated if campers are as unobtrusive as possible, staying for just one night and leaving the area as it's found'. A spokesperson for Cumbria Police said: 'We will continue to work with partners and would encourage people to report illegal behaviour so that action can be taken.'
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Forbes
Another Place, The Lake District: Hotel Review
Another Place S itting on the glistening shores of Ullswater in the Lake District, Another Place is a contemporary-meets- boho bolthole, with a wild heart. Surrounded by 18 acres of towering woodland, it's a place where paddleboarding meets stargazing, and indulging spa treatments follow charming fell walks. With cozy shepherd huts, gourmet dining, a Swim Club with stunning lake views, and a high-tech treadmill training pool (with an underwater mirror and TV monitor for instant feedback), Another Place effortlessly blends outdoorsy spirit with creature comforts—somewhere to pause, play and reconnect with mother nature at your own pace. Ullswater Lake getty Another Place is set across 18 acres in the quiet hamlet of Watermillock , perched above the western shore of Ullswater, framed by rolling fells of the Lake District National Park. With a scattering of stone cottages, it's a place where sheep often outnumber people, and the rhythm of life is often set by the fickle Cumbrian weather. Zip through its winding lanes, and you'll pass 18th-century farmhouses, its Grade II listed All Saints Church (built in 1881), and its cozy Brackenrigg Inn , a classic English pub. Forbes How To Spend A Weekend In Plymouth By Lewis Nunn Another Place is set across 18 acres. Another Place Glide past the tranquil shores of Ullswater and down a sweeping drive lined with Himalayan birch trees, surrounded by lush green meadows, as you approach Another Place . As you draw closer to its ivory Georgian façade, the hotel reveals itself in layers—think more elegant and timeless rather than imposing. Tiptoe up to its entrance, guarded by camellias and climbing ivy, and you'll be welcomed through grand oak doors into its snug reception—greeted by antique Louis XV mirrors, an ornate Tudor fireplace, and regal wingback armchairs. The Library Another Place Swan through the formal sitting room (adults only in the evening), and you'll spot Another Place 's French influence—with rococo grandfather clocks, a white marble fireplace, and a cozy nook with French oil paintings and comfy loveseats. Here, you can gaze out at majestic mountains like Arthur's Pike and Beda Fell , all whilst indulging in a glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut . Elsewhere around the hotel, you'll clock Victorian hanging lanterns, rainbow-colored farm animal portraits, volcanic tribal vases, and industrial globe chandeliers—a real treasure chest of style. Read More: Forbes How To Spend A Weekend In Cirencester: The Cotswolds By Lewis Nunn Outside, however, tucked beneath a huge oak tree, you can take the slow pace in a gentle wooden swing—perfect with a good book—or meander through the calm grounds dotted with firepits, California poppies, and giant limestone sundials. A feast for the senses for hikers and loungers alike. Rooms and Suites Joules Suite Lewis Harrison-Pinder / Another Place Another Place bears 47 rooms, from cozy shepherd huts to two-bedroom treehouses—boasting sweeping lake views and elegant countryside charm—but among them, there is one that stands out, the Joules Suite . Step inside and the space unfolds in layers of colors, with walls wrapped in deep teal, curved writing desks, a copper scalloped bed, pop art prints, and towering Georgian windows—with canary loveseats to soak up the views of shimmering Ullswater and Arthur's Pike whilst sipping a smooth, crisp Wainwright Gold . Its ensuite, however, is chic and earthy with a black marble walk-in rainfall shower, a deep soaking tub, suspended String of Pearl plants, and fluffy Joules' signature bathrobes to snuggle up in. Spa and Wellness Swim Club Another Place At Another Place, the term 'Spa' gets a welcome remix—here enters the Swim Club —an elemental retreat where Scandi minimalism meets Wainwright drama. Think less lavender-scented clichés and more earthy —with bracing swims, panoramic views, and bodywork that earns its place. You can take a lap in a 20-meter pool that shimmers cerulean against a wraparound wall of glass—while outside, you'll find a bubbling hot tub and a glass-fronted Swedish sauna serving up gripping glimpses of Ullswater's steel blue waters. It's a sensual dialogue—warm wood, cool water, wind, stone, and steam. Read More Forbes How To Spend A Weekend At Burghley House By Lewis Nunn Treatments channel the local landscape. Sink into a lovingly heated bed and opt for the signature Land & Water Body Ritual —with 60 minutes of dry body brushing, salt scrubs, exfoliation, and slow-release tension massages across the shoulders, neck, and scalp. Afterward, retire to a relaxation room where you'll sip a myriad of herbal teas from lemongrass and ginger to redberry hibiscus whilst grazing on traditional Scottish chocolate tea cakes. It's the perfect choice to soothe aching muscles after a day of exploring the many surrounding fells of the Lakes . Or, set off on a myriad of active excursions from paddleboarding to kayaking and archery—but by night, more adventurous souls can opt for lantern-lit swims in ink-black water underneath the star-spangled skies. Food and Beverage Rampsbeck Restaurant Rampsbeck Another Place Rampsbeck is Another Place's leading restaurant, bright and contemporary, with flickering art deco orb chandeliers and pistachio banquettes (think Wes Anderson chic) where you'll ease into evenings savoring starters like smoked duck breast (glazed in orange dressing) or asparagus quinoa with vegan whipped feta that melts in the mouth. For mains, negotiate between Cumbrian lamb rump or artichoke and wild mushroom pithivier—complete with pistachio parfait, citrus cheesecake, or a decadent cheese board made up of Eden Valley Brie, Thornby Moor Blue and aged Kirkham's Lancashire—served with fig and chutney crisp breads. The Glasshouse Glasshouse Michael Lazenby / Another Place Tucked beside the herb garden, just a few steps from the lake's edge, you'll find the Glasshouse . It's a Victorian-style greenhouse with tomato vines that climb towards the rafters—playing host to feast nights and yoga classes; serving up woodfired pizzas, from classic Margheritas to a spicy Diavola topped with cured salami, salty olives, and gooey mozzarella. To finish, opt for a deliciously creamy Tiramisu or oven-baked fruits topped with crème fraiche and granola—salivating at the mouth. The Living Space The Living Space Steven Barber / Another Place Just off the reception, you'll find The Living Space —a relaxed lounge bar dressed with Nordic spindle chairs, industrial lanterns, burnt orange banquettes, and rustic banquet tables, where you can feast on buttermilk chicken burgers as you sip sweet cocktails or local ales such as Ullswater Blonde , and peruse a sharp gin list. The Brackenrigg Inn The Brackenrigg Inn Steven Barber Just a short uphill walk from Another Place, you'll find the Brackenrigg Inn — a traditional Cumbrian pub soaring above Ullswater, where rose chesterfield armchairs meet Turkish rugs, equestrian oil paintings, and a Victorian crimson fireplace. After a Sunday hike, opt for the Sunday roast ($28 per person) with all the trimmings, washed down with a Brackenrigg Bitter. How To Do It Travelers in London can hop on a 3-hour direct train from London Euston to Penrith North Lakes with Avanti West Coast . From there, it's a 15-minute cab drive to Another Place . For more information, visit Read More: Forbes How To Spend A Weekend In The Lake District By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend A Weekend In Cirencester: The Cotswolds By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend A Weekend At Burghley House By Lewis Nunn Forbes An Insider's Guide To Homewood Hotel And Spa By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend A Weekend In Plymouth By Lewis Nunn Forbes An Insider's Guide To The Ned, London By Lewis Nunn
