Intimate Home Dining on a Valentine’s Break in the Lakes

Filling Up on a Valentine’s Break in the Lake District

Good food, drink and company is at the heart of a Lake District cottage holiday, whether it’s for Valentine’s weekend breaks or simple escapes to the country.

Whatever your dining style, have a look at these ideas for making an occasion of home cooking during your romantic break in the Lakes.

Eating Clean

No, we’re not talking about 2018’s health food trend for activated charcoal, mushroom lattes or anything labelled plant based! This Valentine’s, we’re thinking self-indulgent couples baths and soothing outdoor hot tubs. Sparkles of some kind are a certain, and foods that pair well with Champagne are the likes of cheese, figs and nuts, which are ideal for this time of year.

Canapés are often the bedfellow of France’s most famous quaff and if you choose cold canapés, such as salmon with vodka flavoured crème fraîche, they can be enjoyed all the better at your own pace.

The Chocolate Loft, Ambleside

Foxdene Cottage, Bowness

Fresh Hamper

You don’t have to brave a picnic in the fresh outdoors to enjoy the romance of a hamper-style meal. Why not enjoy an indoor picnic.

Choose the freshest of local produce, of which you are spoilt for choice when holidaying here in the Lake District. Lay your spread – local cheeses, preserves and pickles, artisan breads, tantalising chutney’s and moreish Morcambe Bay Shrimps – out on a picnic rug,  in front of your cottage log burner, or open fire and enjoy the simplicity of love in the Lakes.

It really is the simple things that count and location can speak volumes. If you’re determined to dine outdoors, what could be more perfect than a secluded, picturesque lakeside spot, a picnic rug and bottle of something special for creating memories that you’ll cherish.

Al Fresco

For the full al fresco dining experience, we’re thinking a relaxed supper with your loved one, blankets over your legs, chiminea stoked and patio heater cranked up. Us Brits are experts at enjoying the great outdoors, no matter the weather. The Mason’s Arms Inn in the blissful South Lakes, has a well enjoyed beer terrace, and whilst the ale is good it is the dreamy views across the rolling Lyth Valley that makes this beer garden so attractive. To create your very own slice of Lake District al fresco dining heaven, have a look at the idyllic gardens available in our Valentine’s Breaks in the Lake District collection. Take your pick from picturesque patio’s designed to trap the winter sun, chic and luxuriously furnished lawns and private hideaways with spectacular views. Sometimes all that is needed is a simple bench and a tree stump as a table, where the views will sweep you and your loved ones off your feet.

Middle Wray Cottage

Cooking in – the New Eating Out

These days, many of us fancy ourselves as the new Michel Roux Jr or Mary Berry. And the Cumbrian foodie scene is not exempt, with two Lake District chef’s recently battling it out on Masterchef.

Eating out in one of the Lake’s top restaurant’s, welcoming gastro pubs or cosy, walkers inns is extremely tempting. But, this Valentine’s why not pull on the apron strings for your loved one. Check out seasonal menu’s from the likes of The Old Stamp House, The Samling or L’Enclume, and have a go at your own signature version.

Treat your loved one to your take on The Forest Side’s winter dinner menu of goats cheese, wood sorrel and parsnip, followed by some exquisitely tasty rib of Cumbrian beef and root vegetable puree, washed down with a warming Malbec, perhaps.

The Lakes is a hotbed of artisan producers, passionate growers and bustling farmer’s markets. Getting in on the foodie scene is a great way to spend your romantic break in the Lakes. What’s that saying? Food is the way to the heart.

Romantic night in at Byways, Ambleside

Old Honeysuckle Cottage

Breakfast in Bed

One of the best things about a cottage holiday is the flexibility and privacy to come and go as you please. You set your Valentine’s weekend break agenda. And if that means a lazy breakfast in bed, followed by a romantic stroll around your own private gardens as you plan your day, then be our guest. In fact, as a Lakelovers guest you’ll see that our cottages are filled with tempting delights that you may find yourselves not wanting to go out at all!

Say it with Champagne and flowers in bed at Applethwaite Cottage, Troutbeck

Sofa Snacks

Perhaps you fancy giving chef a night off. Well, how does a romantic film, an easy to prepare meal and some snacks sound? Head to Booths in Windermere and pick up a couple of sirloin steaks, some pre-prepared pepper sauce and a famous Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding for two. Curl up in your dreamy love nest and let your hearts fill with happiness.

Partridge At Stonecliffe, Bowness

Valentine’s Gifts and Extra’s

Before we leave you love birds to your cooking plans, a quick reminder to ask our Customer Service team about some extra’s to make your February break in the Lake District filled with pazazz. Speak to us about ordering a bouquet of flowers to be delivered to your holiday cottage, a golf gift voucher or an at-home beauty or spa treatment, enjoyed within the privacy and comfort of your Lakelovers holiday cottage.

Crag View, Bowness