Our Deputy Editor Chris Golds travelled to Cumbria to discover more about a gothic mansion in the Lake District.
I have a theory that the best weekends are the ones that make Monday feel very far away. Lake Windermere did it very quickly. There’s something gorgeous about being by the water, surrounded by spectacular scenery, in a wonderful house, that makes the rest of the real world feel like something you don’t have to worry about. I was lucky enough to be invited along with Emmie, our editor, for a weekend away with HN Magazine at Fallbarrow Hall. What a treat this house is. It is as breathtaking as it is perfect huge.
This is one of those places that is just made for being with people you love. Somewhere you can fill with your favourite people, open a bottle of bubbles, pour a cocktail, and not have to worry about everyone disappearing off to different hotels at the end of the night. Fallbarrow Hall really is one of the best places for a celebration in the Lake District.
Sitting on the edge of Lake Windermere in Bowness, this rather spectacular Grade II listed Victorian Gothic mansion is available for exclusive hire. And when I say mansion, I really do mean mansion. It was built for bringing people together. There are 18 bedrooms, including two self-contained apartments, with enough space for up to 36 people to stay. So whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, family get-together, wedding or simply an excuse to gather a gorgeous number of friends in the Lake District for a weekend, it works brilliantly.
A house you can actually enjoy
The thing I love about Fallbarrow Hall is that despite being very grand, it doesn’t feel like somewhere you’re frightened to touch anything. Yes, there are high ceilings, beautiful period details and all the dramarama you’d expect from a Gothic mansion, but following a major restoration, the interiors feel comfortable, stylish and properly designed for groups to be together. And there is SO much space and so many places to explore.
Fancy a drink? There’s a private cocktail bar. Want a quiet five minutes away from everyone? Head to the library. Film night? There’s a cinema room. Feeling competitive after three glasses of wine? There’s a basement games room with a pool table and ping pong. There’s even a separate chill-out room for children (or presumably adults who have had enough of the other adults). It even comes with a wall you can write on, or you can just play on the PlayStation, if you don’t want to be artistic. Then there are the hot tubs, yes, plural, not one but two hot tubs! Right next to each other and so perfect. The best way to relax for a few hours.
This is what makes Fallbarrow Hall such a good place to stay. You’re not all crammed into one room for an evening before being sent back to your bedrooms. You get the whole place and can actually live in it. We had such a fun time eating pizza in the grand hall, having a Traitors evening in the cinema room and drinking and playing games in the bar. It felt like the sort of weekend you normally only see happening in films. Except with more pizza.
That Lake District setting
Then, of course, there is the location. The Hall sits within the grounds of Fallbarrow Holiday Park, right beside Lake Windermere. Step outside and you’ve got the gardens, gorgeous rolling lawns and those ridiculously beautiful Lake District views. I always understand why people (me) become slightly obsessed with this part of the country. I promise you, I was on Rightmove while I was there.
For a summer get together you could have drinks outside overlooking the lake. In winter, the whole place lends itself to something much cosier, with everyone tucked away inside exploring all those rooms. You’re also within walking distance of Bowness-on-Windermere, which is beautiful. There are shops, restaurants and pubs nearby, while the lake itself obviously opens up a whole world of activities if you want to venture beyond the house.
Make it your own
Another huge plus is the flexibility. Fallbarrow Hall is self-catering and you can arrange your own food, entertainment and catering team, or bring in a private chef. As I said, it was pizza for us in the hall and breakfast in the kitchen. Loads of fridge space and a delicious coffee machine just make it all so easy.
The main dining room can seat up to 50 people, so you can make a proper occasion of dinner without having to squeeze everyone around several mismatched tables.
Ultimately, what I realised is that Fallbarrow Hall is one of those rare places that manages to feel special without being stuffy. It gives you something that can be surprisingly difficult to find: somewhere impressive enough to feel like an occasion, but relaxed enough to completely make your own.
And with everyone sleeping under the same roof at Fallbarrow Hall, nobody has to call a taxi home. Now that is my kind of weekend.
Oh, by the way, there is a competition running on HN Magazine right now where you can win a stay for two nights for up to 36 people. How amazing is that?
