WEEKEND AWAY: Grey Gables, Lake Windermere
Craig Hough enjoyed a weekend of celebrations with friends at Grey Gables on Lake Windermere
Having a mid-winter birthday rarely feels like a cause for celebration. Over the past few years, I have usually fled to a fast-paced European city to celebrate and explore. This year, I opted for something a little different; a little rest and relaxation with friends. Where better than the Lake District to achieve this? Granted, a freezing cold Cumbria in February may not be the most obvious setting for a birthday, but when the invitation to visit Grey Gables came through, the allure of a peaceful, fireside retreat by the water was too hard to resist.
The Personal Touch
Grey Gables is owned and operated by Simon Escapes, the global property portfolio owned by British entrepreneur and Moneysupermarket.com founder Simon Nixon. Ahead of my group's arrival, the team from Simon Escapes got in touch via email to confirm my booking and to share a detailed welcome e-guide that detailed everything we may need during our stay. Everything was in there; directions, WI-FI password, where to pre-order groceries and useful contact numbers. You name it, SimonEscapes had thought of it and added it to the guide.
The week before we arrived, I was introduced to the incredibly friendly and helpful Kate, Grey Gables House Manager, who called me to confirm our arrival time and what to expect on our visit. In an age of bots acting as customer service agents, a phone call from an actual human being felt incredibly refreshing.
Location
Built in 2013, Grey Gables sits on the shore of Lake Windermere, England's largest natural lake. The property’s exterior is a love letter to Cumbria, clad in traditional Lakeland walling, giving the house a timeless sense of character. Even the roof carries a royal connection; the green-grey colour slate, sourced from a nearby quarry, is the very same material used at Buckingham Palace.
The house itself offers full privacy and seclusion but is perfectly placed a short drive to Bowness and Windermere, where there are an abundance of independent restaurants to enjoy. There is a wide range of local attractions close by that include Beatrix Potter Gallery, Blackwell – The Arts & Crafts House and Grizedale Forest with activities like Go Ape. The welcome guide had a long list of activities and attractions to choose from, so it’s well worth planning your itinerary before you visit.
Style and Space
As our party of four swept through the gates and down the long driveway to the house, we were all instantly wooed. Turning the key and stepping inside, the collective reaction was, “Oh wow”.
Stepping into the main lounge, the first thing you notice is the stunning view of the lake as the light floods the room. The lounge flowed into the study area, with (a very impressive) colour-coordinated bookcase and desk. House Manager Kate had thoughtfully set the log fire roaring ahead of our arrival and this provided the perfect backdrop for the first evening of cosy catch-ups, where the conversation was flowing as fast as the wine.
To the right of the lounge was the cinema room with a 65 inch screen, which connects to any device or streaming platform, offering the ideal intimate setting for a film night.
Also on the ground floor were the kitchen and two dining areas. On the kitchen side were some Cumbrian treats that included local jams and marmalades, thoughtfully provided by Kate. The kitchen is a host’s dream, with ample space and every modern appliance you could imagine. Further on the ground floor was a washroom, WC and the games room in which the pool table became the focal point of our Saturday evening entertainment.
The property acts as a living gallery with the walls adorned with stunning art pieces from local artists, meticulously selected by Founder, Simon Nixon himself.
Outside, the property was a Lumipod design-led gym and sauna (both with lake views), a boathouse and jetty, plus a long terrace that offered complete serenity, where you can while away the afternoon with a book or simply watch the wildlife and boats pass by on the lake.
Upstairs, the property had 5 large bedrooms, each with its own stunning en suite and plenty of storage. Waking up to the stunning views of the lake with the peaceful hum of wildlife was a pure joy.
Final Thoughts
As spring gets underway, I urge you to venture to the Lake District and enjoy a stay at Grey Gables. With stunning views, an incredible art collection and first-class facilities, it's truly a venue for all seasons and celebrations and will provide the ultimate serene retreat. Grey Gables isn’t just a place to stay, it's an experience to be savoured.
To book a stay at Grey Gables please visit simonescapes.com
Simon Escapes is a portfolio of luxury house rentals across the globe including:
Little Polgarron
A Cornish beach house sleeps 10 guests at Booby's Bay in North Cornwall, UK
Elkstones
An elegant 5 bedroom house just outside Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds, UK
Sa Llupia and Sa Milano
A duo of 4 bedroom villas located in the picture postcard hilltop town of Deia, Mallorca
Godings Beach House
A 6 bedroom beach house located on the Platinum Coast of Barbados
75 Clifton, 4th Beach
A 4 bedroom beach house sitting on Clifton Beach in Cape Town, South Africa
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