A romantic weekend away || A guide to Kirkby Lonsdale
My happy place in England is Kirkby Lonsdale. I just always feel calm and at my most content when I'm there, so I thought I would share my weekend guide, especially if you're struggling for ideas for
Valentines weekend…
Wearing my gorgeous Chi Chi London Faye Coat
A City girl in the country!
Kirkby Lonsdale is a little peach of a town, nestled in the South Lakelands of Cumbria. If you’re based in Manchester like me, it’s only an hours drive away. It’s also accessible by train, a little more tricky, but I have been known to catch the train from Manchester Piccadilly after work on a Friday up to Lancaster and get a taxi to Kirkby Lonsdale.
Before getting into my ideal weekend, you’re going to need somewhere to stay…
Accommodation
There are lots of options here, but I recommend staying in the centre of the town as you can walk everywhere that way, which I think has a nicer feel to it when staying in the country. My recommendation is Jasmine cottage (Map reference 1)
Yes there are nice B&B’s and quaint pubs with rooms, but this is a lovely cosy cottage in the centre. And that’s what I love about weekends in the country! It also has its own parking space which is a luxury.
So you’ve booked it! Eeeeeee! Now with the plans!
Friday evening
I suggest driving down after work on Friday night, unpacking the essentials and heading straight to the Snooty Fox (2) a fabulous pub with pub grub and did I mention it has it’s own separate Gin bar?! It’s about a 2 minute walk if you do stay at Jasmine cottage. I’ll post a numbered map a bit further down to show all the different places. I’d spend a couple of hours in the Snooty Fox, have a nice burger and a few gins and then return to the cottage for snuggly cup of tea in your pyjamas in front of the wood burner back at the cottage. Aah, bliss!
But what do I wear?! Worry not my pumpkins, I always adhere to my rule number one
It’s always best to look fabulous
So this is what I would wear Friday night…
Saturday
Don’t set your alarm! Wake up listening to the birds or church bells, then get dressed and head out for a full English breakfast at The Royal Hotel (3). After fueling yourself for the day, I suggest a walk in the countryside. I particularly enjoyed this one…Whittington loop (this is another link) (See map reference 4 for starting point).
It’s just less than 6 miles and is pretty easy terrain but there is a wood and beck so outdoor clothes and walking boots are required. It took us 3 hours but it was picturesque and I loved walking back along the River Lune.
After you get back, there will still be time to have a quick mooch around the quaint independent shops in the centre. I advise picking up a nice bath bomb and candle from the Bath House (5) and treating yourself to an ice cream from The Milking Parlour (6). Ohmygaga! I’m lucky to live near Fredericks ice cream parlour but The Milking Parlour is the best one I’ve ever been to! A little treat will keep you going until your romantic meal in a couple of hours time!
After this, I would go back to the cottage and have a nice relaxing bath. You are on a weekend away after all! It’ll relax your muscles after your walk and you can listen to a podcast or read a book to carry on the self care practice.
Then it’s exciting time! It’s time to get ready for a nice meal out with your someone special. My favourite place to eat is The Highwayman (7), which is a little drive out of town. If you didn’t want to drive or taxi, Avantis is also a nice restaurant atmosphere, but I would advise asking for a table upstairs as the bar downstairs can get noisy with people who aren’t dining.
After a lovely meal, head back in to Kirkby Lonsdale and head to the Royal Barn (8), Kirkby Lonsdale’s own brewery! They have a lot of choice of their own brews, ales, IPAs and more gin! This is such a lovely country pub with quirky furniture and a wood burner. Aah…soo romantic.
Then it’s time to walk back across the road to the cottage and turn in for the night.
Sunday
Ah sad times, you need to check out by 11am. So time to pack up :( I pack up and put everything in the car first.
Then I enjoy walking to Devils Bridge (9) where there is a bacon butty van! Eeeeee! They do all forms of bacon, sausage and egg sandwiches and the hot drinks come in real life cups! So admire the views from the bridge and enjoy your breakfast, before returning your mug and heading back to the car.
On the way back, go up the Radical Steps (10), they’re radical for a reason! They can get slippy, have different depths and heights and oh, did I mention there are 86 of them?! But when you get to the top, you will be rewarded with Ruskins View….ah romantic and breathtaking (11).
Here’s a map to help you follow the steps I’ve been suggesting
So I hope I’ve inspired you to weekend break in Kirkby Lonsdale. Let me know if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to help you plan a break there!
