A Slow Trip to the Lake District with Another Place (AD)

My stay at Another Place was complementary but all thoughts, words and images are my own.

Have you heard of the Scottish term coorie? The first time I heard the word was several weeks ago when I was talking to Another Place hotel regarding my upcoming trip. One particular thing I loved about staying at Another Place was their emphasis on getting outdoors and embracing your surroundings, before heading back inside to relax. It’s a refreshing approach from a hotel - encouraging you to head out and explore, rather than implying that everything you need is contained within their walls. Another Place certainly has everything you need inside but with a location on the shore of Ullswater, the hotel recognises that part of its appeal is its location.

That combination of exploring outdoors and relaxing indoors is a basic summary of coorie. It’s an amalgamation of two Nordic traditions that I’ve wrote about before - hygge and friluftsliv - all wrapped in everything Scottish. Yes, I was in the English Lake District, not Scotland, but these two regions of the U.K have a lot of similarities. Once you’re surrounded by the lakes and towering peaks of the Lakes, it’s easy to imagine you’re in the Scottish Highlands. The same philosophies apply here as north of the border: spend as much time as possible outdoors, soaking up your surroundings, walking in the hills, wild swimming in lakes and trying new things, before retreating inside to read a book by the fire, enjoy a glass of wine with a friend or soak in a steaming hot tub.

This blend of indoors/outdoors perfectly summed up my stay at Another Place. I was staying in the hotel for two nights with my friends Anya and Erika, both of whom I met over Instagram. It’s a funny thing, an online friendship that’s focused on a mutual love of travel, photography and the outdoors - you don’t often get to meet in person and experience these things together. The three of us planned this trip for that reason; we wanted to shoot and travel together, as well as spending some time away from our laptops, relaxing and feeling inspired. The short days and dark nights of November were ideal for our trip; we rose early to make the most of the daylight, heading back to the hotel late afternoon as the sun set, to make the most of the facilities.

In many ways, Another Place was my perfect hotel. I hate being confined to my room and welcomed the variety of activities and communal spaces with open arms. We were only there for three days, but I quickly slipped into an idyllic routine. Rising at 7am to watch the sun rise over the lake, before heading to the pool to swim laps, relax in the outdoor hot tub and enjoy some time alone with my thoughts in the sauna. Next, lingering over a slow breakfast while plotting the day ahead. Late morning and early afternoon were the times for getting outdoors, making friends with the resident baby Highland cow, driving around the lake, walking in the hills and photographing the autumnal scenery. Late afternoon, heading back to the hotel to read and relax, indulging in another swim or a massage before dinner. Post-dinner, we would retreat to the library where we’d stoke the fire and play board games on the cosy sofas. A way of life I could easily get used to.

Our time exploring the surrounding area took us all around Ullswater - from the cascading beauty of Aira Force to the dramatic hills and tranquility of Martindale. Along the way, we’d pull over every time something caught our eye - be it a tree covered in particularly vibrant autumn leaves or an enchanting view of the snow-capped mountains towering over the opposite shore.

If our visit had been longer, we would have found ourselves out on the lake, enjoying the variety of activities available. Kayaking, paddle boarding, cold-water wild swimming were all on offer during our stay - encouraging guests to get outdoors and try something new.

Back inside the hotel, roaring fires, book-filled shelves and an eclectic collection of wooden board games beckoned from the library. This adult-only retreat was our evening hideaway; a calm and cosy room that was perfect for post-dinner drinks and chats.

Our other favoured spot was the pool, with its iconic large glass window providing uninterrupted views of the lake and hills. It was the perfect length for swimming laps and the warm temperature allowed us to linger post swim. The hot tub was located outdoors, covered by a small roof but exposed to the elements. Is there anything better than sinking into hot water on a cold winter’s night?

The perfect blend of indoors/outdoors, Another Place quickly felt like a home from home. If you’re looking for a base for exploring the Lake District, where you can return and relax in a cosy ambiance in the evenings, I think you’ll love it here.

Book your own stay at Another Place here. Doubles start from £180 for bed & breakfast.