Losman

For many years Windermere and its surrounding areas have been popular with a broad range of people.

Windermere is a popular destination for people of all ages, all tastes and all interests. Of course, Windermere is very famous as a base for walking the Lakeland fells and for doing many other outdoor activities but more and more visitors are coming to Windermere for a bit of luxury.

To add to the already long list of Windermere’s attributes and lures comes luxury. Windermere has some of the most stunning buildings with many of the larger residences being luxury hotels. In recent years, some of the luxury hotels have taken their attention to detail to another level. They have refurbished, redesigned, added on, decorated and paid even more attention to detail than before. Windermere now has some of the best hotels in the country and more than rival some of the famous hotels in south.

Dining has become a more prevalent factor in many hotels these days. Hotel restaurants often used to be of a pretty poor standard even when the hotel itself was of a high standard. Michelin starred restaurants are now common practice in hotels with big name chefs taking control at these luxury complexes.

Windermere couldn’t be in a better location for a restaurant to obtain top quality produce. Cumbria the Lake District has some of the finest local produce in the country from lamb and sausage to cheese, bread and cream. It really isn’t hard to understand why the Lake District is also now home to some of the finest restaurants in the north of England. Being relatively close to the coats means even the freshest seafood can be found.

Attention to detail is key for a luxury hotel from the service to rooms and outside areas. One hotel in Windermere which has seen recent refurbishment has produced a collection of rooms without compromise, most with patio doors leading onto the gardens and with either spa baths or hot tubs. They have also created luxury suites in a renovated Lake house with many having stunning views over a private lake. Constant refurbishment is essential in luxury hotels for complete perfection. Its gardens are as well looked after as the inside of the hotel with different seating areas. Their aim was to create a terrace that comprised different ‘rooms’ for people to sit in. This has been created by breaking up the terrace with different materials and features such as ponds with water features and raised beds. During the day, the south?facing terrace enjoys the sunshine, and at dusk the sunset can often be enjoyed with pre?dinner cocktails. On warm evenings the terrace is candle lit. Pathways lead from the terrace to the south gardens and to the wild meadow and llama paddock.

The special services available set luxury Windermere hotels apart from the rest. Organisation of spa treatments for example, private dining rooms, chauffeurs and touches such as the turning down of bed covers at night.

Oldfield House is a former Victorian Gentleman’s residence that now offers high quality bed & breakfast accommodation in Windermere. The house is set in a quiet residential area away from the busy main road, yet is still within easy walking distance of Lake Windermere. This Windermere Guest House is the ideal location for your short break in the English Lake District, whether you are walking in the Mountains, exploring the world of Beatrix Potter or taking in all the other events and attractions the area has to offer.

The location allows a for very quiet night’s sleep, so if its relaxation you are after, then Oldfield House is place for you.

All rooms are appointed with many creature comforts with high quality linen, luxury Egyptian cotton towels, LCD Tv’s, beverage tray and bathroom ammenties. And for those worried about car parking, they have ample spaces available for guests.

For more details please visit www.oldfieldhouse.co.uk

The towns of Bowness and Windermere are arguably the most vibrant and popular places in whole of the Lake District. They are busy for most of the year with people coming to enjoy the facilities offered by Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake. These include lake cruises to Waterhead in Ambleside and Lakeside at Newby Bridge, sailing, canoeing, fishing and the Windermere car ferry, which runs between Ferry Nab at Bowness and Far Sawrey.

Windermere is a great base for exploring the Lake District thanks to its excellent transport links. Windermere Railway station offers rail connections to Kendal and Oxenholme and it also has direct trains to and from Manchester Airport. Buses also run regularly from Windermere station including southbound journeys to Kendal and northbound journeys to Ambleside, Grasmere, and Keswick.

There is plenty for the whole family to do in and around Windermere including looking round some of the superb shops and visitor attractions such as The World of Beatrix Potter where all 23 Peter Rabbit tales are brought to life in 3D. Other local places of interest include …

Blackwell Arts & Crafts:
House in Bowness which is a superb example of the Arts & Crafts movement;

Hilltop - Near Sawrey:
Take the ferry and visit the writer’s 17th century cottage at the other side of Lake Windermere and see it exactly as she left it complete with her furniture and china.

Lakes Aquarium:
The Lakes Aquarium is located on the Southern shore of Windermere and can be accessed by taking a lake steamer from Bowness to Lakeside at Newby Bridge. Here visitors have the chance to see many exotic and local fish.

William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage:
Here visitors can visit the home of England’s famous romantic poet at Grasmere. The adjacent Wordsworth Museum displays national treasures of the poet. There is an onsite tea room and gift shop.

The Lake District National Park Visitor Centre:
At Brockhole, situated on the shores of Lake Windermere, ideal family entertainment with interactive exhibitions and adventure playground. Whatever the weather.

For more active visitors there are plenty of walking routes available around Windermere including walks to spectacular viewpoints at Orrest Head and Biskey Howe where you will find breathtaking views of Lake Windermere and as far out as Morecambe Bay on a clear day. Windermere Golf Club is a very picturesque course and here you can relax after your round in the golf club restaurant with great views of surrounding mountains.

To take full advantage of Windermere and Bowness visitors should look to stay in a luxury Bowness on Windermere B&B or Guest House.

Stay at the comfortable Braemount House - Windermere Bed and Breakfast & enjoy 3 days of Iyengar yoga classes in a stunning National Trust woodland studio above Lake Windermere.
Next course : Wednesday 24th - Friday 26th November, 2010 - £195

Price includes;

* 2 nights bed and breakfast at Braemount House, Windermere
* 4 Iyengar yoga sessions (6 hrs)
* Mats & equipment provided
* Transport to yoga studio in stunning woodland location

The English Romantic poet, William Wordsworth, was inspired by the epic grandeur of the Lake District landscape.
So what better location for yoga?

The schedule

Wednesday 24th November;
Check in from 2pm
3:30pm - Introduction over tea and coffee with teacher Gaynor Wilson
5-6.30pm - Evening yoga at the National Trust Footprint building, St Catherin’s Woods, Winderemere
The evening is yours. We can recommend a number of fantastic local eateries & will book tables if desired.

Thursday 25th November;
From 6.30am - Light breakfast available - juice/fruit/yogurts
7.30-9am - Sunrise yoga at the Footprint
9.15 - 10am - Generous hearty breakfast to set you up for the day.

After breakfast, your time is your own to explore the delights of the Lake District, on foot, bike or car. If you fancy something action packed, we can arrange abseiling, canoeing, sailing, gorge jumping, orienteering, or rock climbing. Or how about a guided walk taking in some of the best views the Lakes has to offer.
Alternatively, we can arrange a massage in your room, or an afternoon at a local spa.
Just let us know what you fancy and with prior notice, we’ll be glad to oblige.

5-7.30pm - Evening yoga at the Footprint

Friday 26th November;
From 6.30am - Light breakfast available - juice/fruit/yogurts
7.30-9am - Yoga at the Footprint
9.15 - 10am - Generous hearty breakfast
11am - Final farewells & check out.

The teacher
Over 3 days we hope to inspire you with morning and evening yoga sessions led by experienced Iyengar teacher (Junior Intermediate, Level 2) Gaynor Wilson.

Gaynor, a teacher at the highly acclaimed Manchester Iyengar Institute, studied under Jeanne Maslen (an early pioneer of Iyengar in the UK) and Institute teachers Marion Kilburn & Julie Brown.

Gaynor also currently teaches regular classes at the BBC & ITV/Granada Studios in Manchester.

Gaynor’s passion for yoga runs deep. A mother of two, she practiced yoga throughout her pregnancies and was still standing on her head just 2 weeks before giving birth!

Iyengar yoga
The course is suitable for all levels from beginners upwards and indeed the combination of basic level and more advanced students benefits all levels alike.

Iyengar yoga, focuses on the structural alignment of the body through the development of over 200 postures or asanas that aim to unite the body, mind and spirit for health and well-being. Focusing particularly on correct body alignment, Iyengar allows the body to develop harmoniously in an anatomically correct way to ensure the student suffers no injury or pain when practising. Iyengar emphasizes the development of strength, stamina, flexibility and balance, as well as concentration, can help eliminate aches and pains and can dramatically improve posture.

For more information on Iyengar, check out;
http://www.mdiiy.org.uk/
http://www.iyengaryoga.org.uk/

The studio
We’ve searched high and low to find you the perfect location for your yoga. And we believe we’ve found it……

Nestling amongst the trees of St Catherine’s Woods, high above Windermere, sits the Footprint. This beautiful and inspirational space built of plastered straw bales, is the first of its kind built by the National Trust.

Heated by a log burning stove, with floor to ceiling windows, the yoga space overlooks the tranquil woodland. The only sounds you’ll hear are those from the nearby babbling brook and the gentle birdsong.

http://www.strawfootprint.org/

The accommodation
All our rooms are en suite doubles, with one twin and a 2 room suite with sofa bed.
The Lake District Yoga Breaks price is based on single occupancy rates. However, if you’re happy to share, we can accommodate you in our twin room or suite at a reduced rate.

Please call Emma Hawley or e-mail enquiries@Braemount-House.co.uk for further details.

A warm and friendly welcome awaits you at Firgarth in Windermere. Firgarth is an elegant Victorian house built in Lakeland stone around 1875, with views to the rear over Wynlass Beck.

Firgarth Windermere B&B has the advantage of car parking, and is situated just a short walk from Windermere centre, with its many shops and restaurants and rail/bus station. We make an ideal base for touring, walking or just a relaxing break at any time of year.

Just take a 15 minute walk through ‘Millerground’ to the shores of Lake Windermere or alternatively climb to ‘Orrest Head’ from where stunning views of Lake Windermere and Morecombe Bay can be enjoyed.

Firgarth offers eight bedrooms comprising of double, single, four poster and king size double which are all ensuite. All rooms are centrally heated and decorated in a combination of modern and traditional design, all have colour TV, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer and a range of toiletries.