Bassenthwaite Lake in England’s Lake District is owned by the National Park Authority, and is one of the largest Lakes at about 4 miles long and 3/4 of a mile wide. It is the most northerly lake and is therefore probably the least visited at peak holiday times. It has very little in the way of settlements on it’s shores, but there is one special holiday park that is well off the beaten track near Bassenthwaite village and its called Bassenthwaite Lake Lodges.
Nestled on the very edge of the lake and under the shelter of the Skiddaw Mountain Range, this secluded park of 56 Lodges is the perfect getaway for those who appreciate nature as well as all the trimmings of modern life. Not far from the Park on the shore of the Lake is Dodd Wood, the favoured nesting place of Ospreys, and just up the road is the Lake District Wildlife Park which has over 100 different types of animals, some endangered, set in 25 acres of parkland. It has keeper displays throughout the day and indoor and outdoor play areas for the kids.
Our party of 6, including our two eight year old grandchildren and 12 year old Jack Russell, Tara, took the 90 minute road trip over the Pennines in February 2020 and stayed in the Applethwaite Lodge from Friday afternoon until Sunday lunchtime. We were disappointed on our arrival to discover that our personal Hot Tub was out of bounds due to the gale force wind that had followed us all the way there on Health & Safety grounds, but thankfully the wind dropped sufficiently on the two days following for everyone to don their woolly hats, to take a dip in the steamy hot water. Not the dog of course.
This particular Lodge was only 12 months old and included a fully equipped kitchen, an LCD TV, Freeview and DVD Player, gas BBQ, and Free Wi-Fi throughout the Park. All bed linen and towels supplied in three bedrooms. Two twin and a double with en suite.
Each Lodge has a timber deck with a wooden table and chairs for al fresco dining, weather permitting.
We all thoroughly enjoyed our short weekend here despite the bad weather throwing everything at us. I mean to visit this special place again in the summertime, if it’s the last thing I do.
