Julie Smith
28 October 2019
New year is a time for looking back at the last 12 months and making plans for the year ahead. It’s a time for reminiscing, celebrating and most of all spending time with the people who mean the most to you whether that’s friends, family, one special someone or even your favourite canine companion.
You can think about learning new skills in the year ahead, planning fresh adventures and celebrate some of your achievements (no matter how small) from the past year.
Here at Lakeland Cottage Company, we think it’s also the perfect opportunity to push the boat out and spend time somewhere extra special. Our luxury Lake District holiday cottages (many of which are Visit England five-star rated) fit the bill perfectly.
Gather the generations together
Multi-generational holidays have soared in popularity over the last few years and it’s easy to see why. Time is precious and gathering the generations or different family strands together means that children can spend quality time with cousins, aunties, grandparents and great-grandparents and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Look for a large holiday cottage that has a choice of living spaces and downstairs bedrooms to give a variety of options for everybody. A snug or games room will always go down well with teenagers and a sociable kitchen/diner means everyone can gather together over a meal or an evening drink (or two).
A family games night can be great fun - there are lots of good board games to choose that can involve everyone or you can create your own fun quiz with funny family stories and inside jokes.
Our pick:
Bank Barn - Wreay sleeps up to 8 people and has large grounds, downstairs bedrooms and a cosy snug. You can choose to dine in the large kitchen/diner for a relaxed family meal or choose the formal dining table to make things extra special.
Catch up with friends
Whether you have old friends from school or university days that now live in different parts of the UK or a regular gang that you love spending time with, New year is the perfect excuse for getting together in a luxury holiday cottage.
Look for somewhere with a country pub nearby and en-suite bathrooms where possible to keep everyone happy. A sociable kitchen/diner means everyone can gather together over a meal and evening drinks and reminisce over old times. Just remember to keep some bubbly chilled to pop open on New Year’s Eve.
There are some beautiful large properties in the Lake District with hot tubs to relax in or lakeshore access so you can take a scenic trip across Windermere or Coniston to make things extra special.
Our pick:
Brigg House has something for everyone in your group - scenic walks, challenging climbs (including The Old Man of Coniston), a couple of good pubs within walking distance and even a bubbling hot tub in the garden. Each of the five bedrooms has its own en-suite and there’s an additional bathroom too so no queuing for a morning shower.
A new year just for two
Charming country pubs, roaring log fires, magnificent views and scenic walks...the Lake District has everything you need for the perfect romantic new year getaway.
Choose between staying in a pretty village like Cartmel where you’ll be spoilt for choice of pubs and eateries or go a little more remote and book a secluded hideaway that’s far from the madding crowd.
Discover pretty waterfalls, fells that are dusted with frost and stroll hand in hand around the Grasmere countryside that inspired Wordsworth. You can enjoy a candlelit meal for two, pop open some champagne and raise a glass to your stunning setting.
Our pick:
Garret House Cottage is a cosy Lake District cottage that's just the right size for two - the perfect setting for a romantic winter getaway. Take a stroll into nearby Cartmel to enjoy a fine dining meal then head back to cuddle up in front of the wood burner.
Dine out on New Year’s Eve
You’ll find a selection of restaurants in the Lake District where you can book for a New Year’s Eve meal including:
Porto Restaurant
A fine dining Lake District restaurant in Bowness-on-Windermere that holds an AA Rosette has an extra special menu for New Year’s Eve.
The Kings Arms Cartmel
This lovely dining pub in the pretty village of Cartmel has crackling log fires and serves the full menu on New Year’s Eve with entertainment and midnight fireworks.
Inn on the Square
A Keswick restaurant that serves a six-course celebration feast with live music and bubbly. The black tie event is the perfect opportunity to don your finest attire.
Baha
A Pan Asian restaurant close to Lake Windermere that has an eight-course tasting menu for New Year’s Eve and a live DJ so you can dance the night away.
Plan a feast to remember
If you prefer to stay in on New Year’s Eve, you can make the evening special with some luxury food and drink. If you want to have a celebration meal, share out responsibility for courses between guests and look for somewhere with a formal dining table that you can dress for the occasion. You may even be able to enjoy some stunning lake views as you dine.
Make life easier by choosing some pre-prepared items that can be easily heated up for dinner or ditch the formal meal and go buffet style with a range of luxury party food items and local cheeses, meats and smoked salmon. Again, share out responsibility so that everyone brings something with them (whether they make it or just pick up from the supermarket or deli).
Bubbly is a must for New Year and some flavoured gin from the Lakes Distillery can make a delicious sparkling cocktail. Local business Windermere Wine stocks a range of Lakes Distillery flavours, local spirits such as Bakewell Liqueur and cases of sparkling wine.
Ring in 2020 in the Lake District
On top of some ticketed events at Lake District bars and restaurants, there are a couple of public places where locals and holidaymakers gather together as the clock heads towards midnight.
In Keswick, you’ll find people congregating by the town’s clock tower for the big final countdown and the lakeshore at Bowness-in-Windermere is a prime spot to watch the various firework displays so always draws a crowd.
Cumbria is a beautiful place to ring in the new year and you’ll find a range of luxury Lake District holiday cottages where you can celebrate this special time with your nearest and dearest.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.