A Lake District hotel has joined forces with an experienced fell runner to give its guests more opportunities to explore the great outdoors.
The Waterhead Hotel in Ambleside has teamed up with Lakeland Walks & Talks to show visitors some of the area’s hidden gems, from waterfalls and caves to hilltop summits and some of the best panoramic views in the world.
Led by Steve Watts, a former Grenadier Guard with over 35 years’ experience of walking and running in the Lakes, hotel guests and local visitors can take to the lakeside fells by choosing from a range of guided walks of varying lengths and difficulty.
Walks include the Coffin route, an easy to moderate walk to the tranquil shores of Grasmere, the highlights of Rydal Hall Gardens & Estate, or for the more adventurous, the opportunity to tackle the trail to the summit of Loughrigg.
Steve will meet participants at Waterhead reception and provide a short briefing before each of the walks, which include the chance to learn about local people, their history and pastimes such as hound trailing and fell running.
Steve explains: “I will never forget my first time in the Lake District. I was simply blown away by the beauty of the place and that’s when I took to fell running, walking and exploring the area in such detail.
“It’s great to be working with the team at Waterhead to give its guests an outdoor experience they might not have previously had the confidence to attempt.”
The Waterhead Hotel has also published a series of hard copy maps of popular local walking routes. It’s ‘#bootique’ walks include the 7 mile Rydal, Coffin trail and Rydal caves loop, the 3.5 mile hike to High Sweden bridge and back, and the 3.5 mile circuit taking in Jenkin Crag and Low Wood Bay, with its spectacular views across Lake Windermere.
Beau Irwin from English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, the new manager of the Waterhead Hotel, adds: “Having just moved roles from restaurant and banqueting manager at the iconic Midland Hotel in Morecambe, it was great to join Steve and the hotel team on the inaugural hike to launch our new maps and guided walks service.
“Steve loves nothing better than sharing his passion and knowledge of the area with others. There are hundreds of Lake District fells to be discovered and enjoyed.
“Some of our guests can naturally find hiking out into unknown areas a bit daunting. So if you have bags of enthusiasm for exploring but don’t really know where to start, our partnership with Lakeland Walks & Talks is an ideal starting point.”
The walking routes end back at the hotel where participants are presented with a certificate on completion of the walk as a memento of their day in the hills. Guests staying at Waterhead benefit from a 10% discount on any of the Lakeland Walks and Talks routes.
To book a place with Lakeland Walks & Talks via Waterhead Hotel, call Steve Watts on 07791 090 777.
