Rosie and Josh enquired with us in November last year, with travel restrictions constantly fluctuating they wanted some expert guidance on their weeklong escape into the meandering rivers and ancient mountains of the UK’s largest National Park, The Lake District. Get inspired through Rosie’s trip below and let’s start plotting your own.

Words by Rosie Margesson

So, I bet you thought this was going to be a post all about how great our holiday to the Lake District with nemo was? Ok fine – it very much is. From start to finish – this is the dreamiest holiday we’ve ever booked.

Nemo to the rescue

Like everyone, we were desperate to book a little UK holiday to escape the 4 walls we’ve been staring at.

We decided to enlist the help of nemo Travel for a stress-free holiday experience. Thank God we did… Our initial booking was thwarted by the November lockdown, in which had we booked everything ourselves, we would have given up there and then. However, Jim at nemo barely batted an eyelid and instead rearranged our reservation for December. On top of this, he ensured that it was possible to move it again if needed.

The Lake District: A Perfect Location

After giving Jim an incredibly vague brief of what we were after, his recommendations hit the nail on the head. Jim found us 2 fantastic hotels in 2 very different parts of the Lake District.

The first was The Langdale Hotel, near Ambleside, sprawled out in its own little valley. The rooms are situated in clusters of different buildings that blend into the scenery roundabout. At the heart of the little estate, there is a spa building with a pool, sauna and steam room. This is the perfect way to unwind from a long drive. The hotel also has its own pub, the Wainwrights’ Inn just a 10-minute walk down the road.  We spent our first evening here, with a hearty pub meal by a cosy open fire.

It’s all About the Added Touch with nemo

Before we had even arrived at The Lakes, the nemo team showed their class. Jim provided us with a personal list of all the top things to do in the area as well as suggested itineraries. Nemo also suggested we downloaded their app which provided even more local expertise, hints and tips. This was a great touch and included everything to ensure our stay was excellent. From the perfect pub for a pint of local ale to the best places to eat.

So, despite the rainy weather and our complete lack of waterproof equipment, we spent our days exploring the area on foot (fuelled by the epic hotel breakfasts at the Stove restaurant), taking in the likes of Pavey Ark and it’s beautiful views and the magical waterfall at Aira Force. After, we then spent our evenings by open fires eating some of the best food we’ve ever had. Highly recommend 1863 and The Drunken Duck Inn particularly.

The Reluctant Goodbye

After a lovely few days at The Langdale we drove further North to Ulswater and Another Place hotel. Another Place is right on Ulswater lake and based in a former Georgian house. The heart of the hotel is centred around 2 restaurants and a library. There’s an open fire, a host of comfy chairs and games to while away the hours. The hotel was so great we barely wanted to leave!

We used the swimming pool, outdoor hot tub and had a massage at the spa. But spent most of our time in the library playing Monopoly and Chess. We pretended we were in The Queen’s Gambit – albeit an amateurs version. On our second night we had an incredible four course meal in the Rampsbeck, the fancier of the 2 restaurants. The food was all locally sourced and produced. We also discovered the bartender’s delicious cocktails (enter the Mafia Martini – the new love of my life).

Before we knew it, it was time to leave and head back to London. But not before we joined one of the morning wild swimming sessions in the lake. An excellent way to rid yourself of a hangover it turns out and well worth bracing the cold to see the sun breaking through the clouds in one last show of the beauty that The Lakes have to offer.

Thank you to Jim and nemo for an amazing week away – we very much could have stayed for ever! Can’t wait for our next adventure with nemo – maybe somewhere further afield. As long as Josh remembers his factor 50, the world is our oyster!

Feeling inspired?

The Lake District is a wonderful place to wind down and experience a beautiful part of the country.

Take a look at nemo’s selection of hotels in the Lake District, here.