Need to escape for a few days? Inspire your next break with award-winning blogger Jess Gibson from The Travelista as she makes her winter weekend getaway to the Lake District – plus, find out how she styled her top cosy essentials from Accessorize. Brrr-illiant.
Friday
Arrival at Oxenholme Station – 1pm
My train was bound for Oxenholme, a small two-platform train station in the heart of the Lakes. I packed lightly and had just enough room in my weekend bag for all the winter essentials. After meeting my best friend at Oxenholme station, we headed straight towards two of the most picturesque lakes in the area.
Grasmere and Rydal – 2pm
The quaint village of Grasmere is a must for any visitor to the Lake District. A handful of pubs and cafes offer a welcome respite for walkers and day-trippers. We stopped off at Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread Shop to pick up a bundle of famous baked treats. You can smell the gingerbread wafting through the air and is the perfect souvenir or gift to bring home from the Lakes.
Down the road from Grasmere lies the lesser-known lake of Rydal. There are some breath-taking walking routes around the lake and I hear it’s a popular swimming spot in the summer months.
Miller Ground Pathway, Lake Windermere – 3.30pm
This National Trust pathway is a hidden gem that can only be found if you go looking for it. Beyond the wooden gate entrance we found the short pathway that took us along a river and right to the banks of Lake Windermere.
A series of old jetties sprawled across the water’s edge, separated by a standalone boathouse. The dusky winter light and the thick fog on Windermere made for a perfect photo opportunity, all wrapped up warm in our winter outfits.
OPP Beanie, £8 | Nora Backpack, £29
Saturday
Bowness-on-Windermere – 11am
After a lazy morning, it was time to head to Bowness-on-Windermere, the most visited and touristic town in the Lakes. Imagine an old-world English town with cobbled streets, boutique shops and cafes. It’s also the best place for nightlife in the Lake District.
From Bowness-on-Windermere you can also catch the Old Steamer for a classic boat trip around Lake Windermere, or get active with a rowing boat. We decided to skip the boat trip and went to explore around the town. I loved stumbling across The Beatrix Potter Shop and sampling some freshly made fudge in Roly’s Fudge Pantry on Ash Street.
Brigsteer – 1pm
Brigsteer is a small village in the South Lakeland district, best known for it’s one and only pub; The Wheatsheaf. Being a local, my friend insisted that we stopped at The Wheatsheaf to try out their renowned fish pie for lunch. The setting was cosy and the food was gorgeously gastro; a perfect spot for some Great British comfort food
Helsington and The Lyth Valley – 3pm
OPP Beanie, £8 | Mixed Metal Knot Ring Set, £12
Our hearty lunch had us fueled up and ready to go for an afternoon walk through the Lyth Valley. Just a 5-minute drive from The Wheatsheaf Pub, we started at Helsington where we were greeted by some beautiful Galloway cows. The valley has a spectacular panoramic view all the way from Morcambe Bay to The Langdale and is well worth a visit.
Sunday
Kendal – 12pm
Metallic Spot Diary, £9 | Geo MOP Ring Set, £10
On my final day in The Lakes we decided to head to Kendal for some Sunday brunch. Best known as being ‘home of the Kendal Mint Cake’, Kendal is an old market town in the South Lakeland area of Cumbria. We took our seats at Baba Ganoush, a bustling little café serving London-inspired brunches and great coffee on Finkle Street.
Written by Jess Gibson, founder and editor of award-winning UK travel blog The Travelista. Follow Jess on Instagram @thetravelista to see more of her stylish travels.