Located on the outskirts of Penrith, Ullswater Heights boasts a unique location. The lodges pave the way down to the heart of the park where you will find an 8-acre lake, which is overlooked by the onsite restaurant The Lake House.
Images courtesy of Ullswater Heights
The site is still very much in its infancy, as it was only opened in July 2019, so everything still looks very new- both inside and out.
After a warm welcome by Courtney, we were given our key and map to find our lodge, which was ideally located, just around the corner from The Lake House as we were ready for a bite to eat.
Despite booking a lodge for two adults and a one year old- there was some miscommunication along the way and the booking was only for two adults. Once I notified Courtney of this- she followed us to our lodge a mere ten minutes later to provide us with a travel cot which fit snugly at the end of the twin beds in the second bedroom. Travel cots are notoriously uncomfortable so I would encourage you to bring some extra blankets for your baby to sleep on as the mattress was quite hard.
A highchair was also on offer, however we had brought our own so this wasn’t needed but good to know that one is available if you should need one.
The lodge itself had a contemporary feel and the decor was synonymous with its natural surroundings- presented in earthy tones of grey and yellow. It offered a living room area, dining table, kitchen, a double room with an en-suite and twin room with a bathroom directly across the hall.
It even had its own hot tub at the front of the lodge which was concealed by screens to offer privacy from passers-by and neighbouring lodges. Not appropriate for babies- but my husband and I enjoyed it once our daughter went down for the night!
The lodge has space or two cars if you need the extra parking room, however there isn’t a ramp- only steps so be mindful of this if you are bringing a pram along-leave it in the car.
I particularly liked the design of the furniture- from a parent’s point of view- it was ideal for little ones who are prone to bumping into things as the TV stand and coffee table both had curved edges. I felt comfortable putting our little girl on the floor to play with her toys as I knew that she would be safe from corners.
The kitchen was fully fitted with all the amenities you could need for a comfortable stay- a microwave, oven, kettle (vital for bottle making!), toaster, dishwasher, fridge, which had a bottle of milk in it to get us started.
We were able to eat out on the first night and cook our own meal on the second, so you have the flexibility to do either. The Lake House also serves breakfast if you don’t want to cook.
With that said, if you are on a budget- remember to bring some basics for breakfast, to make a packed lunch and something for your evening meal if you don’t want to dine in the restaurant. Even more so if you have little ones- we had to bring plastic plates, bottles and baby cutlery as she is still a little unsafe with crockery.
There was a TV in both bedrooms and the living room for if guests wanted to watch different things. We enjoyed catching up on our favourite TV show from the comfort of the bed. You can log onto the apps on the TV from your phone if you have existing subscription services that you want to use during your stay. It was just like home from home. Just remember to log out!
We were lucky enough to sample the food served at The Lake House on the Friday evening. Although the menu is slight- it offers all the dishes one would expect from a typical pub and everything was cooked and portioned well. I would highly recommend the fish and chips or steak and date slice for dessert! The restaurant offers meals for kids too- our daughter tucked into lasagne and garlic bread followed by ice cream, so she was more than happy with the offerings and she is always the harshest critic on the reviews we do! We were served by Beth who made sure our little one had a high chair and gave her some colouring pencils and paper to keep her entertained while we waited.
We were able to enjoy our meal overlooking the lake as we were blessed with good weather. I would urge you to try and get a table on the balcony if you can to enjoy the view while you dine. It’s not every day you can eat while looking out at a lake- so take full advantage of the opportunity.
There is a children’s playground next to the restaurant if your little ones want to play while you enjoy a drink or wait for your food.
Chloe Ann’s Farm is just to the right of the site as you enter, and they have specific times when they feed the animals- which is something the kids will love. The timetable will come in your welcome pack when you arrive so you can schedule this into your stay. The weather took a turn for the worst when we had planned to do this, so we didn’t get to see them but it’s something to keep the kiddies entertained on a fine day.
Although there isn’t a great deal to do on site- you are a mere 10 minute drive from the centre of Penrith and The Rheged Centre, half an hour from Ullswater where you can enjoy a ride on one of the steamers and have a look around or a bite to eat in Glenridding. Carlisle and Kendal are a little further afield if you are looking for days out and you only have to travel on the motorway to junction 36 to enjoy all that Windermere, Ambleside and Bowness have to offer.
I will be very interested to see how the land matures in a few years’ time at Ullswater Heights as the site still looks very minimalist. I believe the greenery that has already been planted will offer more privacy for guests and more definition to the park. With that said, it is already a beautiful location with stunning surroundings.
Ullswater Heights caters for families, couples and groups. When checking in there were a bunch of ladies enjoying a weekend away together- so it already has wide appeal.
And if you enjoy your stay enough- Ullswater Heights offer a try before you buy scheme where you can receive a full refund for your stay if you want to purchase one of their lodges.
Thank you to Courtney, Beth and all the staff at Ullswater Heights for making our stay one to remember and for being so accommodating for two and a half guests!
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