An Essex Wedding - Jul/Aug 2019 (Issue 87)

D riving along picturesque country roads, verges bursting with wildflowers every colour of the rainbow, it was hard to believe that mere minutes before we’d been suffering the tedium of the M6. But with uninterrupted countryside as far as the eye could see, sunlight streaming through the woodland trees and lambs gamboling happily in the fields, it’s fair to say that my husband and I had a spring in our step when we eventually pulled into the driveway of The Lake House. This stylish six-bedroom retreat belongs to The Gilpin, a luxury family-owned and run hotel in the heart of the Lake District that’s a hotspot for honeymooners. AND SO TO BED With a warm welcome we were introduced to Gertie, our room for the night, with its lovely views down the valley from one window and across the fruit and vegetable garden from the other. While we were certainly in the mood to celebrate – time away from children is like golddust – we left the champagne chilling while we went to explore. At first sight The Lake House appears to be a spacious home-from- home with its comfy sofas, plentiful reading material and informal bar. But with a swimming pool and sauna on the lower floor, two private hot tubs and its own lake, there’s so much more to it than meets the eye. BOBBING ALONG Wandering down to the water’s edge we spotted two wooden rowing boats. Free for guests to use, we hopped straight in and spent a blissful half hour afloat, admiring our stunning surroundings. Word has it that only two people have ever fallen in the water, so I was delighted to return to dry land without doubling the tally! With time on our side – we had hours before dinner – we took a stroll around the lake by foot. It only takes about 20 minutes if you don’t stop en-route and leads through bluebell-carpeted woodland where we spotted a couple of squirrels leaping between the branches. With every step I could feel daily stresses ebbing away. Part of the beauty of The Lake House is that, even when all six rooms are filled, there are enough private seating areas, screened by foliage, that you feel like you have the whole place to yourselves. The hot tubs too are artfully placed – one overlooking the picturesque landscape beyond and the other in a prime position near to the lake. FOOD FOR THOUGHT While there are no restaurants at The Lake House, a short complimentary transfer takes you to The Gilpin Hotel, home to one- Michelin-starred Hrishi and our dining spot Travel editor Demelza Rayner heads to the Lake District and discovers a first-class retreat for newlyweds seeking a serene post-wedding getaway THE SPICE OF LIFE 118