What?
Loughrigg Fell, Lake District.
On the day of the biggest storm to hit London in decades, Storm Eunice, we escaped the city to the Lake District. We set off at 5 am to get ahead of the 70 mph winds and 5 hours later arrived in Windemere. We re-fuelled ourselves with cups of tea and cooked breakfasts in local family run artisan café the Brew Room, before checking into our B&B the Rum Doodle. After checking in (and our 5 am start!) we immediately sunk into what felt like the world’s best bed, and with what can only be described as very voluptuous bedding. So cosy as the wind was howling outside and the rain thrashing against the windows. The following morning, we had big bowls of hot porridge with bananas, nuts and honey for breakfast before our walk.
Our group gathered in Ambleside’s Rydal road car park in the rain, ready to surprise our friends for their 30th birthdays. A really lovely way to celebrate turning the big 3-0, a great idea.
After a pretty soggy start to our walk up Loughrigg, the rain eventually eased up and it even started to lightly snow, though the fog was still heavy. The heavy fog and occasional sighting of snow topped mountains made for an eerily beautiful walk.
It was only until we had ascended to the top of Loughrigg, did the fog lift and revealed the most stunning views. The sun shone upon Grasmere as the bright blue sky dotted with clouds reflected back from the lake, with the snow topped mountains in the background.
They say there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing! Properly wrapping up and getting out and about in January and February can really be worth it. We pretty much had the landscape and views all to ourselves!
How?
We were fortunate and able to car share with a couple of other London based friends.
How long?
A 5 hour drive including breaks.
How much?
All in all the weekend cost about £200, including two evening meals, drinks and accommodation. Rooms at the Rum Doodle cost between £90-£139 per night, we booked 2 nights stay in the Prone room (£99 per night).
