Back to nature at The Wrens Nest

Once settled, I dropped my bags and drove for half an hour to Ullswater to explore Aira Force Waterfall, where my pooch Baloo and I had the entire woodland walk to ourselves. We were also treated to a spectacular sunset, illuminating the sky with colour, as if it were on fire, as we wound through the windy lakeside roads back to the comfort of our farm-side hideaway, already feeling the tension and stresses of everyday life melt away.

There’s something magical about waking up to birdsong, nestled in the heart of nature. I treated myself to a coffee from the machine provided, which felt wonderfully luxurious, paired with the fresh milk left from the farm. Sitting down on the decking, taking in my peaceful surroundings, I felt truly restored after a blissful night’s sleep.

While taking Baloo to the enclosure provided for his morning runaround, I heard steady footsteps behind us and turned to see the farm's herd of cows quietly walking down the path from their morning milking to their field for the day. It was such a lovely sight and a gentle reminder of how rural and remote our surroundings were. 

After an hour’s drive, we were in the heart of the lakes, exploring Buttermere and Crummock Water, for a boggy yet delightful walk with spectacular views along the way to Scale Force Waterfall. We then wandered along the lesser-known Rannerdale Bluebells trail, which we had timed perfectly as nature had put on a spectacular show, carpeting the entire valley in a sea of blue.

Having clocked up more than 20,000 steps, returning to The Wrens Nest felt particularly rewarding. I fired up the wood-fired hot tub, which felt both indulgent and rejuvenating after a day on my feet. Later, I prepared a nourishing dinner and ate beneath the glow of the fairy lights, surrounded by trees, with a delightful glass of bubbly.

After topping up the wood burner, the hot tub was steaming away and irresistibly inviting. I poured another tipple and sank into the tub, ready to soak the day away while listening to the birds saying goodnight, before falling into a restless slumber once more.

On day two, I explored Grasmere, the village well-known for its association with the poet Wordsworth. Naturally, I treated myself to some of the famous Grasmere Gingerbread before exploring the daffodil garden where Wordsworth's inspiration blossomed, followed by a walk around the circumference of Grasmere Lake itself, which took around an hour. Afterwards, I stopped at Lucia’s Coffee and Bakehouse, which I cannot recommend highly enough. The fresh focaccia BLT and oat flat white were divine. Refuelled and ready for more adventure, Baloo and I headed off for a wander around Whinlatter Forest, England’s only true mountain forest and a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. It was beautiful, peaceful and teeming with wildlife.

Sufficiently re-fuelled, we set off on the Lord’s Seat Summit walk, slightly underestimating the climb, but it was totally worth it, with the summit boasting views of Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake and Keswick. From 1650m above sea level, the views were quite literally breathtaking (although part of this may be due to the climb!). 

After working up an appetite, it was only right to reward myself with a glamping staple: s’mores. Lighting the mini burner, I roasted marshmallows and decadently sandwiched them between biscuits and drizzles of melted chocolate, before catching up on my book beneath the fairy lights on the balcony. Heaven. 

Another peaceful night’s sleep was had, and I woke naturally to the sunlight filtering through the windows and the soothing sound of birdsong. I did an alfresco yoga session on the balcony with my morning coffee, stretching out the tight legs from the last two days of walking, before setting off on another adventure.

Approximately an hour away from The Wrens Nest through rolling hillsides and fields of sheep (be aware that both sheep and cows are quite often perambulating on the road!) with a surprise sighting of a Hare, we arrived in the charming market town of Keswick.

Brunch at LRB, a highly recommended brunch spot, was an absolute highlight. I had the Kinder pancakes, which were every bit as incredible as they sound! It is best to book in advance, as it was very popular, even on a Monday morning. After brunch, we meandered down towards Derwentwater, where we found the stunningly picturesque lookout point, Friar’s Crag, which was a scenic 2km loop walk through a park and wild woodlands. If you are visiting with a dog, it’s worth noting that sheep are never far away, so it is best to keep them on a lead at all times. 

For the afternoon, we headed into the Pennines and, after meandering through the moorland, passing fields of Highland Cattle, we found the historic High Force pub. After a delicious pub lunch, we ventured for a woodland walk to High Force waterfall, aptly named for its spectacular power and dramatic height (21 meters).

The Wrens Nest provided a fabulous base for exploring the Lake District and the Pennines, and even Southern Scotland if you have more time. Perfect for a romantic weekend away or a retreat for reconnecting with nature,  I cannot recommend this gorgeous hideaway enough for nature enthusiasts. I left feeling grounded and completely restored.