A First Glimpse of Windermere
It’s the view that captures me first, the tumbledown light of spring falling across the fells which cradle the expanse of Lake Windermere. It’s been years since I ventured to the Lake District in Cumbria and I had forgotten that light. The panoramic windows of the Winander club at the Low Wood Bay Spa and Resort, frame the scenery and the view holds me in its embrace. Already I can feel the stress of my dash across London melting away as if a reset button has been pressed on my over strung nervous system.
I am here to enjoy a three day spa visit, along with a group of women of mixed ages and backgrounds, and I can feel how the views have already impacted us all. Shiphrah, a twenty four year old from Greenwich, tells me she has never ventured far beyond London before as her phone spins around to capture every dry stone wall and Herdwick sheep. I fear she may be in for a disappointment if she begins to believe all of the British countryside looks like this, but still I, take pleasure in her delight.
Exploring Lake Windermere
The Low Wood Bay resort has it’s own marina on the doorstep and encourages guests to embrace Britain’s longest lake with quirky experiences like pilates sessions on a paddleboard and swimming under the stars. Here you can breaststroke through the darkened waters while the cosmos revolves above, far from city lights.
I opt for a more gentle sailing excursion with Wake on the Bay and board a yacht at the marina. As our boat sails across the silvered waters of the lake, conversations unwind, champagne and chocolate covered strawberries are offered round. It is an indulgent decadence that makes me feel enveloped in kindness.
The History Behind Low Wood Bay
Low Wood Bay excels at offering a nurturing experience, maybe because, at its heart, this is a family run business. The original hotel was built in 1859, not long after the great Lakeland poet, Wordsworth died. Wordsworth is sometimes described as Britain’s first influencer and his Guide through the District of the Lakes published in 1810, sparked the rise of tourism in the region. The surge of visitors allowed this former farm to develop as a hostelry.
The current owners, The Berry family, clearly feel a real sense of pride and responsibility to honour this long legacy. They are keen to build on the reputation of being the best spa in North West England and work hard to offer guests, not just a spa, but whole holiday experience.
Staying in the Winander Club
Luxury Rooms with Lakeland Views
The next morning I wake to a misting of rain falling on the hills that rise gently behind the Winander Club. The 29 stylish bedrooms are decorated in earth tones with paintings by local artists and offer spacious bathrooms and floor to ceiling windows looking out across the landscape.
I cosy down in bed with a cup of tea and watch the rabbits grazing the lawns and a farmer in a Land Rover, climbing the hills as he heads off to tend the lambs. Through the open window I hear a curlew call and watch a kestrel hover in the growing dawn.
Memorable Encounters with Nature
I spot two of the young women on my trip returning from a walk to one of the waterfalls, hidden in the hills. Later, over breakfast of sourdough toast, Greek yoghurt, granola and pastries, they tell me that they have witnessed a lamb being born and show me footage of the newborn’s first tottering steps. It is a moment they will never forget and they are shining with joy at the encounter.
Unique Experiences at Low Wood Bay
Meeting Dot the Peregrine Falcon
During the morning we have another spectacular experience when we are mesmerised by Dot, the peregrine falcon. She is a peachy breasted beauty, her chest flecked with chocolate coloured darts. We all gravitate towards her, lost in the hemisphere of her bright eye while Stephen, her owner, chips and bows to her, mimicking her own behaviour.
He tells us how these super falcons see in slow motion and were captured and trained to be the hunting birds of royalty. We watch Stephen fly one of his other birds, a Harris hawk, in the grounds of the hotel. If the weather were better we would have the opportunity to walk the fells along with Dot and the hawk and have them fly alongside us.
It is unusual experiences like this that make Low Wood Bay stand out among it’s sister spas and offer something for whole families.
Dining at Blue Smoke Restaurant
Afterwards we head to the Blue Smoke restaurant and enjoy a lunch of wood-fired black tiger prawns and Lebanese flatbreads served by friendly and helpful waiters, who clearly take pride in their work.
The Spa Experience at Low Wood Bay
A Relaxing Massage Treatment
Later that afternoon I head to the spa, which offers a head spinning range of luxury experiences from dry salt and herbal infused thermal rooms to heated infinity pools with lakeside views.
I opt for a full body massage and am led to The Snug, a rose pink room with faded leather chairs. It is the perfect place to hunker down with a jasmine lemonade and a lavender scented towel and await my therapist.
Arlene arrives and leads me to my treatment room where she cocoons me in towels and begins to smooth warmed oil onto my aching shoulders. After weeks of taking care of the health needs of my family then I suddenly feel so looked after I want to weep.
A Spa Designed Around Wellbeing
Low Wood Bay is good at this, whether it’s the special touches bought to the spa by a family that really cares, or the obvious pleasure of the staff working for a top class resort, throughout my stay, I feel nurtured and held.
Arlene professionally kneads and moulds my muscles, seeking and destroying the knots of tension that I didn’t know I was holding. After 50 minutes I return to The Snug to drink lemon infused water and nibble a heavenly flapjack before heading to the spa lounge where I try out a Boost LED facial mask.
I lay back on a lounger alongside Shiphrah and we cover our faces with the rubber masks, before turning on the infra red lights. We sit there, pretending the masks don’t make us look like cyborgs, until a big Northern man enters the lounge and roars with laughter at the sight of us. Still the masks are meant to boost my collagen and after 15 minutes I am convinced my skin looks plumper and my wrinkles smoothed. I for one and hooked.
Lakeside Hot Tubs, Cocktails and Sunset Views
Shiphrah and I join fellow guest, Angela and make our way across to the outdoor hot tub. We lay back under blue skies as sunshine and cloudscapes races across the lake, drinking glorious British Orchid cocktails served to us by a waiter on a silver tray. It is a “pinch me” moment.
It is what Spa’s like Low Wood do best, create worlds where your wellbeing is at the centre. They tell us, just for now it’s all about you, your needs, your comfort.
Low Wood Bay does this so well. It is dreamlike in it’s beauty, from the rainbows across the lake, to wonderful experiences like eating desert round a rooftop firepit while a harpist plays in the background, to sunset and stars sessions in it’s outdoor heated infinity pools while listening to a DJ play Ibiza inspired beats.
The spa wraps around you because the team behind it really care if you come away feeling relaxed and glowing. Low Wood Bay is the indulgence so many of us need and deserve.
Discover Low Wood Bay Spa Resort
DISCOVER: englishlakes.co.uk
Written by: Carole Donaldson
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