For us, it’s that time of year when dark nights lead to some sofa scrolling. Looking forward through the months and doing some holiday planning? Guilty as charged. The Lakes is such a glorious part of the country and has so much to offer. From physical fitness to relaxation and restoration to spiritual sustenance, this article brings forth some of the Lake District retreats that we’ve been hanging our noses over in recent months.
Lake District Yoga Retreats
When it comes to relaxation and strengthening for body and mind, yoga is the first place we turn. Luckily, the Lakes offers plenty of yoga retreats, allowing you to combine the healing powers of the natural world with the wisdom of yoga praxis.
Hiking & Yoga Retreat with Adventure Yogi
If actively taking in some beautiful Lakes scenery alongside your yoga fits the bill, then this 4-day retreat from 2-5th May may be the right choice for you. Enjoy two full days of hiking plus four days of yoga practice and vegetarian sustenance at their Yoga Shala near Tarn Howes.
https://adventureyogi.com/product/may-lake-district/
Bespoke Bliss: Yoga Retreat for you or a private group with Lake District Yoga Retreats
These intimate, unique yoga retreats offer you the chance to create your own retreat. Choose from a 3-night weekend or 4-night midweek retreat, and practice in a pine woodland with mountain views. Sleep in shepherd’s huts on the grounds of beautiful Rydal Hall, just a ten-minute stroll from the Lake itself.
https://www.lakedistrictyogaretreats.co.uk/
Mindfulness & Meditation
Learn to meditate at Dent Meditation Centre
This tiny Cumbrian village surrounded by powerful hills is a tranquil spot, in which you’ll find the beautifully restored meditation centre. Once a URC building, it was taken over for meditation in 2002 and has offered courses ever since. Different courses run throughout the year, offering everything from meditation for complete beginners to teacher training.
http://www.meditationcentre.co.uk
Embracing Buddhism at the Manjushri Buddhist Centre Ulverston
This international centre for modern Kadampa Buddhism offers courses in Buddhist meditation, talks with resident teachers, healing Buddhist breathwork and much more. Embrace the wisdom of this ancient spiritual practice here in the Lake District.
Spas and Pampering
Indulge in Wellness at Another Place
High-end hotel Another Place has been abuzz since opening. ‘Swim Club’ is their take on the traditional spa offering, offering a series of secluded spaces, to either relax or be active in. An outdoor hot tub, sauna, 20-metre indoor pool with mountain views, cardio room and treatment room add up to offer a restorative, indulgent moment of tranquillity.
https://another.place/swim-club/
Spa serenity at Lodore Falls
Close to Derwentwater, the modern spa complex at Lodore is one for pure relaxation and indulgence. With a rasul chamber and a thermal suite, featuring laconium, herbal sauna, salt room, heated loungers, champagne bar, ice fountain, and aroma steam room, there’s plenty of ways to relax. But the piece de resistance is the 16-metre outdoor heated pool, and glass-fronted outdoor sauna, which both offer fantastic views over the lake.
https://www.lakedistricthotels.net/lodorefalls/spa
Outdoor Activities
Prioritising Women’s Health & Recovery with Walks for Wellbeing
Walks for Wellbeing is a Lakes-based organisation looking to help women take steps to improve their health and wellbeing. Give yourself the confidence for those hill hikes with their Map Reading courses, or embrace wild swimming with their Hiking & Dipping weekends.
https://www.facebook.com/livetowalk
Explore the Wild Waters with Swim the Lakes
The ‘trend’ of cold water swimming is growing exponentially, but the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District have always beckoned the brave into their waters. Swim off into the blue yonder with a Swim the Lakes course – their various offerings include swim yoga retreats and swim challenges, where you swim across all seven swimmable lakes in the Western Lake District!
