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<\/p>\nLOUNGING in the laconium \u2013 a warm room with heated stone beds that relax my muscles faster than any massage ever has \u2013 I decide Brimstone is the best hotel spa I\u2019ve ever been to. <\/p>\n
My friend Roop and I are on stop five of seven thermal experiences, and have hardly seen another soul as we hop between ice fountains, herbal steam rooms, salt saunas and a dedicated hydrotherapy foot bath. <\/p>\n
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There\u2019s something magical about spa-ing in a storm, and sipping bubbly in the heated indoor\/outdoor pool surrounded by trees gives forest bathing a whole new meaning.<\/p>\n
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We eventually tear ourselves away to visit the nearby Wordsworth museum, where we tour Dove Cottage \u2013 AKA William Wordsworth\u2019s family home. <\/p>\n
He penned many of his poems here, and walking through the quaint rooms, exploring the orchard and trying our hand at writing with a feathered quill is fascinating. <\/p>\n
Entry costs \u00a314 for adults (Wordsworth.org.uk).\u00a0<\/p>\n
In Grasmere itself, you\u2019ll find the famous gingerbread bakery, plus Baldry\u2019s Tearoom with its 30-plus brews. <\/p>\n The blood orange tea is a must-try and each morning they make fresh bread and cakes \u2013 our delicious, oversized scones, \u00a33.95 each, prove to be an absolute bargain (Baldrysgrasmere.com).\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s rained non-stop since we arrived and we are completely unprepared. <\/p>\n Thankfully, Brimstone Hotel, which is one of two hotels on the 35-acre Langdale Estate, has a boot room stocked with waterproofs, hiking boots and rucksacks to borrow, plus there\u2019s a bookable electric BMW iX to whizz about in. <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Under the guidance of the hotel\u2019s helpful tweed-clad staff, the next morning we set out on an hour-and-a-half walking loop to Skelwith Bridge. <\/p>\n A Britannia Blonde, \u00a35.50, at The Britannia Inn along the way helps power us on, plus the scenery is so picturesque it feels like we\u2019re walking through an oil painting (Thebritanniainn.com).<\/p>\n At Brimstone\u2019s restaurant, Stove, we share succulent garlic and chilli prawns and enjoy an incredible forager\u2019s risotto with wild mushrooms, truffle and goat\u2019s cheese, \u00a310.50 each. <\/p>\n The cod and smoked pancetta main, \u00a322, is more special than it sounds, and the sticky toffee pudding, \u00a37.95, is huge. <\/p>\n Before retiring, we pick up a bottle of red from the Reading Room, where complimentary snacks (including an impressive cheese board) and drinks are topped up through the day. <\/p>\n There\u2019s even a cocktail delivered to your room before dinner here!<\/p>\n On the way home, we explore Ambleside, a 15-minute drive away, where we find Bath House, a chic local fragrance and skincare brand. <\/p>\n I fall for the Bergamot & Amber Cologne, \u00a355 for 100ml, before we hit Kindred Spirits, a family-owned shop selling small-batch spirits\u00a0<\/p>\n in personalised bottles (K-spirits.co.uk). <\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/KH_06_11_BOOK_VACATIONS_COMP.png\")
<\/picture>NOVEL IDEA <\/span><\/p>\nThe 5 best book-inspired staycation destinations across the UK <\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bjwdpn-canvey-island-river-thames-854619631.jpg\")
<\/picture>ISLE GO <\/span><\/p>\nTiny UK island with fairground & sandy beaches that was huge for holidays in 1970s<\/h3>\n
Most read in News Travel<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/newspress-collage-24490603-1699545369851.jpg\")
<\/picture>CHRIST-MUST <\/span><\/p>\nGerman Christmas market on an island with 90 stalls only accessible via boat<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/travelers-luggage-using-smart-phones-852494994.jpg\")
<\/picture>PACK IT IN <\/span><\/p>\nSneaky Ryanair luggage trick to save money while still checking in a suitcase<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/reykjavik-capital-city-iceland-winter-805343109.jpg\")
<\/picture>SEE EU LATER <\/span><\/p>\nTop European tourist attraction forced to close due to volcano eruption fears<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/h27bjr-lerici-la-spezia-province-858593260.jpg\")
<\/picture>GO SEA IT <\/span><\/p>\nVibrant coastal town named ‘pearl of the Gulf’ with beach bars and short flights<\/h3>\n
Reading room raid<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nRead More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
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