Sandymouth Holiday Resort boasts outstanding views, beautiful holiday accommodation and first class facilities for all ages to enjoy!

Located near the bustling seaside town of Bude, Sandymouth Holiday Resort is in a beautifully peaceful location and is surrounded by the understated Cornish countryside and boasts breathtaking sea views. All our guests can take full advantage of our fantastic facilities just minutes away from their doorstep, see below for more details and book your holiday to get involved.

holidays at Sandymouth

Sandymouth Holiday Resort is the ideal destination for the whole family to enjoy on the Cornish coastline, only a 15 minute drive to the bustling seaside town of Bude, and surrounded by the understated countryside while also boasting stunning coastal views, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There will be something for everyone to get stuck into and enjoy at Sandymouth, from the fabulous Go Active programme where the whole family can try their hand at lazer clay shooting or archery, and the glorious indoor heated swimming pool, to the various outdoor play areas, including the Black Pearl Ship and the Outdoor Splashzone, as well as delicious dishes served at The Bistro Restaurant & Bar, our facilities are second to none.

Our holiday accommodation boasts beautiful views and is home to everything you could need for a self-catering holiday in Cornwall. Our holiday homes are wonderfully decorated with a seaside theme, to fit the location and the rest of the park, as well as having fully fitted kitchens, with fridge/freezers, ovens, microwaves and dishwashers to make your nights in a breeze. The open plan living areas boast sumptuous sofas that you could spend hours relaxing in if you wanted to, while either watching the flat-screen TVs or enjoying the views from the floor to ceiling windows. Retire to the bedroom for one of the best nights sleep you’ll ever have in our beautiful mattresses, and enjoy a soak in the bath in our luxurious family bathrooms. Here at Sandymouth, we have a wide range of accommodation to choose from, meaning we can cater to parties of most sizes, as well as a range of pet-friendly holiday homes so you don’t have to leave any furry family members behind!

Take a look at our accommodation and book your holiday to Sandymouth Holiday Resort for a fantastic family focused getaway in Cornwall

Enjoy a fabulous city escape in one of the UK’s most historical cities, while relaxing in sheer luxury in our beautiful lodges at Bath Mill. Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is a picturesque, peaceful oasis just 2 miles outside of Bath city centre, offering an abundance of nature from the babbling Newton Brook, to the whimsical trees and the open fields to explore.

Bath Mill really does serve the best of both worlds, you can spend the day exploring the city, from the Roman Baths to the high society of The Pump Room tea rooms, then returning to your luxurious lodge which offers everything you could need for a self-catering holiday, or you could treat yourself and dine out at our outstanding Brook Bistro & Bar which serves delicious meals and hosts a fully stocked bar. Book your holiday at Bath Mill and enjoy a luxurious city break with us.

Bath Mill has a wide range of holiday accommodation, from our intimate studio Norland Lodges which are ideal for business breaks or short stays in the city, to our larger 6 bed luxurious lodges, meaning we can cater to groups of all sizes, from a romantic weekend getaway to a longer family and friends holiday exploring all that Bath has to offer. Why not take a closer look at our accommodation and book your holiday to Bath Mill Lodge Retreat today and enjoy a different kind of city break?

Spend a day exploring the North Wales coastline like never before with a fabulous boat trip around Anglesey. Located along the Menai Strait in Anglesey, is RibRide the best and original boat tour company in North Wales. You can explore the coastline like never before with their very popular tours, and they are only a one hour drive from our own Talacre Beach Resort in Flintshire.

about ribride

Run by Phi Scott and Tom Ahswell for over 12 years, the watermen are dedicated to creating a safe and fun environment for all family to enjoy during the trips around the coastline.
Each Rib can hold up to 11 people and all the tours take you to points of interests along the coastline, with Phil and Tom drawing on their wealth of knowledge about sailing and the local area.

RibRide has received a number of awards over the years, including National Tourism Award for Wales, the Blue Flag Sustainable Boat Tour Operator and the Go North Wales Green Tourism Award.

the tours

You can choose from 6 fun filled adventures, each offering something different from a short trip down the Menai Strait, or towards to the Skerries islands and high cliffs surrounding the coastline.

velocity ribride

Brand new for 2018, the Velocity is the fastest RibRide you can get! You’ll travel down the Menai Strait in this fantastic adrenaline filled Rib, with the skippers taking you out to reach maximum speed during the fun filled 30 minute trip.

bridges & swellies

This tour starts at the picturesque Menai Bridge before venturing under Thomas Telford’s wonderful Menai Suspension Bridge. You’ll then head to the infamous Swellies, known for its rocks and whirlpools, before going on to salute Lord Nelson and viewing Plas Newydd. This is a classic family favourite trip that lasts for around one hour.

puffin & seals

You’ll start this tour by going passed picturesque Beauman’s and seeing all the pretty and brightly coloured seafront houses. You’ll then head out to sea and start approaching Puffin Island, which is uninhabited except for the famous Puffin birds and the largest colony of seals in North Wales. This 1 hour and 30 minute journey is fun and fascinating for all ages, offering beauty and wildlife along the coastline.

castle & islands

Starting at the Menai Bridge, you’ll travel to the beautiful Caernarfon Castle, while passing the Abermenai Port and historic Napoleonic For Belan. After viewing the picturesque Newborough Warren sand dunes, you’ll go offshore and arrive at Llanddwyn Island. Enjoy this fabulous 2 hour trip with the skippers at RibRide.

south stack & gogarth

Enjoy this wonderful explorer RibRide adventure, where you’ll pass the longest breakwater in the UK as you travel from Holyhead Marina. You’ll be heading offshore with the skippers, who will take you to North Stack Island, as well as showing you the beautiful Gogarth Bay and the South Stack, where you’ll get beautiful views into the caves and see some of the largest sea cliffs in Wales. This 1 hour ride is not to be missed!

the skerries

This fantastic RibRide explorer trip will take you offshore to visit the South Stack, where you’ll see the picturesque lighthouse, amazing high cliffs and the plethora of seabirds around. The skippers will cross the sea to the unique islands that make up The Skerries, and you’ll get to see the stunning wildlife along the coastline. Take this 2 hour, once-in-a-lifetime journey along the North Wales coastline with RibRide.

coastal holidays with Talacre Beach

Take a RibRide tour around the North Wales coastline and witness the natural beauty that surrounds you, the whole family will enjoy this adventurous way of viewing the coast.

Our own Talacre Beach Resort is just a one hour drive away from RibRide, making it the ideal place to base yourself while you explore the North Wales region. We offer family friendly, five star facilities (we are also fans of alliteration, if you couldn’t tell), as well as being only a 5 minute walk to the golden sandy beach that stretches all along the coastal path and only a 10 minute drive from the retail haven of Prestatyn and 15 minutes away from traditional seaside town of Rhyl. We really do have it all at Talacre Beach!

Our facilities include an indoor tropically heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room, as well as a fully stocked bar and delicious meals from the onsite Bistro Restaurant. The children will love the Go Active programme, which includes activities such as water walkers, body zorbs, mini jet skis and archery, as well as a daily entertainments programme available from Charlie Bear and his team of Rangers, with new things to do every day, including fancy tea parties and fun festival days. The Rangers also have a family fun evening entertainments programme, which takes place in the North Star Lounge, and includes performances from the Rangers themselves, games, karaoke and national cabaret acts.

Book your holiday at Talacre Beach Resort today.

ownership at Talacre Beach

Talacre Beach Resort also offers holiday home ownership, meaning you can enjoy endless holidays along the North Wales coastline, whenever you choose. No booking, no messing, you can just get up and go to your very own escape on the coast.

Ownership at Talacre Beach is much easier than you may think, with our friendly team taking you step by step through the whole process and always on hand to answer any questions you may have. They can also introduce you to finical advisors who are able to help you spread the cost of your dream holiday home, should you choose to, so that dream holiday lodge is closer than you think!

To find out more about never-ending holidays along the glistening North Wales coast, call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745 858010 or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat Service today.

With a fantastic entertainments programme all year around, the summer offers endless days of fun with Charlie Bear and his Rangers at Talacre. Talacre Beach Resort is home to Charlie Bear and his Rangers, who create a fabulous entertainment programme for our guests every week. With daily activities and evening entertainment available in the North Star lounge, it’s easy to see why Talacre Beach has been a popular holiday destination for over 50 years.

Along with the regular daily entertainments programme, Talacre Beach’s fabulous entertainments team help to organise event days and themed parties all year around. See below for what our fun days this Summer are at Talacre…

mars attacks theme night – 27th july

full fun day event – 4th august

full fun day event – 25th august

So make sure you’re ready for a summer of fun and sun with Charlie Bear and our talented team of Rangers at Talacre Beach Resort!

about Talacre Beach Resort

Talacre Beach is perfectly placed to springboard you into the North Wales region, being only a 10 minute drive to the bustling retail town of Prestatyn and only a 15 minute drive from the traditional seaside resort of Rhyl. Our 5 star holiday location is only a 5 minute walk from the sandy Talacre beach itself, which is home to the historic 17th Century Lighthouse and the protected Gronant Dunes.

Talacre Beach’s fabulous facilities include an indoor tropically heated swimming pool, sauna and stream room to relax in, as well as a state of the art gym lodge available. We also have a great Go Active programme, which includes panna soccer, water walkerz, mini jet skis and archery! Along with our beautiful Bistro Restaurant offering mouth-watering dishes and a fully stocked bar to relax in.

ownership options

Offering holiday home ownership means you can explore the region, take full advantage of the facilities and enjoy the diary of events and daily activities from the Rangers, all at your own pace. Owning a holiday home at Talacre Beach is much easier than you think, with a wide range of holiday homes and holiday lodges available, we are sure to have the perfect option for your needs.

If you’d like some more information about holiday home ownership at Talacre Beach, call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745 858010 or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service.

Get your art on at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa and celebrate art week by creating your own piece of art!

Locate a short drive away from the stunning Lyme Regis, art has always been at the heart of Hawkchurch Resort & Spa. So what better way to celebrate art week than to partner with two talented artists and offer fabulous workshops to create your own! Art week is from June 4th – June 9th, and we will be holding multiple workshops throughout the week.

paint your day away with anne

Artwrok by Anne Townsend

The lovely Anne Townsend from Broomgate Studio will be at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa on Tuesday 5th, Thursday 7th and Saturday 9th June, from 10am to 4pm. Booking is essential as this is sure to be a popular workshop.

Anne will be tutoring you to paint your own masterpiece and once you have realised your fabulous creation, you’ll be able to take it home too! All materials and tutoring will be included in the booking.

To book your workshop, call Anne direct on 07746 758 370.

create a beautiful necklace with wendy

Jewelry by Wendy Lowis Bates

Wendy Lowis Bates is a talented, local jewellry artist, who will be helping you to create a stunning gemstone necklace, that you’ll be able to take home.

Wendy will be available for bookings at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa on Monday 4th, Wednesday 6th and Friday 9th June, between 10am and 1pm. Booking is essential for this popular workshop and all materials and tuition will be included in your booking.

To book your workshop with Wendy, call her direct on 07956 914 018.

Contact the artists direct for workshop prices

So celebrate art week from 4th – 9th June at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa and create some beautiful art to take home with you!

Why not make an evening out of it too? Treat yourself and book your table at our onsite restaurant and indulge in some mouth-watering dishes and decadent desserts. Then sit back with a refreshing drink from our fully stocked bar and admire the views of the magical Axe Valley.

Langley’s Country Club inside the stunning 5* Aberconwy Resort and Spa are proud to announce their new addition, The HIIT Room. A room that will give you the chance to ramp up your normal routine or perhaps experience your first taste of HIIT. I was excited to be invited to a Personal Training session in the HIIT Room by the Gym Manager Ross Davies, but before I get down to the nitty gritty, or completely sweaty in this case…

what exactly is hiit?

You may have heard the term HIIT bounced around for a while now, and if you didn’t already know, HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training, it involves short bursts of physical activity followed by intervals of rest.

so why exactly does everyone buzz about hiit?

The short sharp bursts of intense workout, which, by the way you only need to do for 30/45 mins (bonus) burns far more calories at a higher rate than your normal workout and for as much as 72 hours AFTER too! (double bonus, right?)

the warm up & workout

Ross showed me around the room and explained what everything was for, how to use it and also how versatile it was. The warm up started using TRX suspension trainers, these will definitely take you to depths you haven’t managed before, squatting even lower, performing one legged Pistol squats (which I was still feeling 3 days later) and basically enabling you to use your own body weight more effectively to maximise your workout.

Next up was the PLYO Box workout, these large lightweight colourful boxes of different sizes look fun and inviting but were actually pretty challenging and sure did make me work hard.
I started with a 12 inch box, performing sets of two footed jumps followed by rest, I attempted and succeeded the 18 inch box, this definitely got my heart and blood pumping, the biggest tip for the boxes is to believe, as they are definitely mind over matter.

Ross thankfully gave me a chance to rest and explained that everyone can use the HIIT Room as part of their membership. There is even a handy folder created by Hannah, with set workouts bespoke to the HIIT Room, which is suitable for all abilities.
You can book training sessions with all the team as everyone is PT qualified and there is an opportunity to hire the room to yourself, or take part in the ever-growing timetable of classes – check out the current ones here

The next part of my workout included the multi-purpose equipment (you can see the full breakdown below), I used the suspension trainers on my feet to perform suspended crunches, moves only possibly using TRX, unless your party trick is levitation of course.
I added weights to a bar and performed barbell push presses (girls, lifting is not just for the guys!) next up were sand bag bear hug squats (who knew that was an actual thing?) by the end I finished off any remaining energy giving it some on the battle ropes.

I would like to thank Ross for his expert advice and support, his style was so motivational and not once did he bark orders (I mean who wants a Sargent Major as a PT) he encouraged, guided and made me feel like I really could do each exercise well and safely.
By the end of the 45 min session, I definitely felt and looked like I worked hard (check out the beetroot red face in the photos) and was looking forward to taking some time to chill in the rest of the facilities, swimming pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub!

To find out more information on becoming a member of Langley’s Country Club and taking advantage of their HIIT Room and everything else that Aberconwy Resort & Spa has to offer click here.

warm up

• TRX Squats – 3 sets of 15 reps
• TRX Pistol Squats – 2 sets of 10
• TRX Squat Jumps – 3 sets of 15 reps

plyo box work out

• 12 inch Box jumps – 3 sets of 10 jumps with 30 seconds rest between each jump
• 18 inch box jumps – 3 sets of 10 jumps with 30 seconds rest between each jump
• Double box jumps – 3 sets of 5 double jumps

mixed hiit work out

6 exercises of 30 seconds on, 10 second off, 30 seconds on and 10 seconds off per exercise.

1. Medicine ball walking lunges (ball above head with straight arms)
2. TRX Crunches
3. Barbell push press
4. Sand Bag bear hug squats
5. Kettle bell swings
6. Battle ropes

Cheddar Watersports offers unbeatable family fun at the beautiful and picturesque Cheddar Reservoir. Nestled between Axbridge and Cheddar, the 265 acre Cheddar Reservoir is busting with fantastic activities and events for the whole family to enjoy. The Cheddar Reservoir is home to the Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club, which helps people of all ages learn and enjoy sailing, windsurfing and paddle sports. Recognised as a RYA Training Centre, the picturesque reservoir offers a friendly and informal environment at one of the leading sailing clubs in the South West of England.

In Partnership with Cheddar Woods

Cheddar Watersports has partnered with our own Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa to offer some fantastic paddleboard activities to our lovely guests as we are located only a short drive away from the reservoir. Cheddar Woods delivers a 5 Star experience to both owners and holiday guests, with stunning lodges to own, as well as beautiful views of the Mendip Hills and excellent facilities on your doorstep, including an archery range, fabulous climbing wall and indoor tropically heated swimming pool! But on a Thursday afternoon you could book in for a brilliant paddleboard activity at the nearby reservoir.

Paddleboard Taste Session

Enjoy an introductory session of 1 hour and 15 minutes for only £20! You must be 8 years old and over, and if you’re looking to book a group, the maximum number is 6. All equipment will be provided for the session, including a board, paddle, leash, buoyancy aid and a wetsuit, however, you must take shoes with suitable grip that you don’t mind getting wet, and your own towel. There will be changing rooms and hot showers available at the centre for after your session.

There will be a land demonstration to start the lesson, where everyone will be taught the 3 key stages, which are prone, kneeling and standing. You’ll then head out on to the lake for a water demonstration and where all members of the group will master the key stages before taking a trip around the lake using all your new skills.

Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga

As with the Paddleboard Taster Session, all equipment will be provided, with the exception of shoes and a towel. Changing rooms and hot showers will also be available. The1 hour and 15 minute session is only £30 per person!

The session is suitable for both beginners and experienced yoga enthusiasts, everyone will enjoy this peaceful and challenging session! The yoga sessions take place on the paddleboard and will last around 50 minutes to an hour, depending on how long it takes the group to master the key stages to be out on the water.

How Do You Book?

Tickets can be bought online and sessions must be booked 24 hours in advance. If you have any questions or are looking to for a group booking please call the instructors direct on 07971558715.

Try something different with the taster session, or opt for a serene yoga experience and book your session today! You won’t believe the views from the stunning Cheddar Reservoir.

Get the whole family involved with Sandymouth Holiday Resort’s fantastic Go Active programme

If you’re looking for a family fun filled holiday, with endless activities on your doorstep, the Sandymouth Holiday Resort is the perfect escape for you! Located near the seaside town of Bude, the local region of North Cornwall is teeming with events and destinations to explore, but for the best activities programme you won’t need to travel far from the front door of you luxurious holiday home.

Offering a full Go Active programme at Sandymouth, means there are activities for all ages to get stuck into. Our friendly Go Active team are fully trained and always on hand to help out and get stuck in!

water facilities

Our programme includes a variety of water activities to join in with, all located in our wonderful indoor, tropically heated swimming pool, which turns into a sea full of fun! Our water activities include, racing pool canoes, sea scooters or amazing mini jet skis, and you’ll get to test your DIY skills with some raft building sessions, you can also explore the depths of the pool in the snorkelling sessions, before having a blast in our water walkerz.

kidz workshops

The little ones love the fabulous workshops on offer every week, including the Robin Hood Juniors, you’ll know the Legendary Robin Hood was a master of the arrow, so join our instructors to refine your skills and learn about his adventures with his Merry-Men through Sherwood forest. And make sure to don your best eye patch for Pirate’s Paradise and brave the fearsome Seven Seas as our Pirate Captain instructors lead you on a hunt for the secret treasure and help you practice your pirate skills through fun. Work on your swagger with the Wild, Wild West workshop, where you can join our instructors on an adventure across the plains of native America, as you learn new cowboy skills, including lassoing, Yee-Haw!. Join the Junior Musketeers and let our skilled instructors introduce you to the skilful sport of Fencing. Learn the basics through fun games and duels. (All workshops are for ages between 3 and 7.)

outdoor activities

We have a wide variety of popular outdoor activities, where you can test your skills and learn new ones, while having the most fun with our team! Run around, bumping into each other in our Body Zorbs, try your hand at Disc Golf and test your best trick skills with Panna Soccer. Learn a new skill with our Fencing lessons. And test your aim with our Laser Clay shooting challenges, and make sure to see if you’ve got what it takes to be the next Robin Hood in our fun Archery lessons.

children party packages

If you’re little one has a special occasion coming up, why not book a fabulous party at Sandymouth Holiday Resort?
We offer a variety of party packages and they can be tailored to your needs, each party is held in our function room and includes a cold or hot buffet, with a selection of sweet or savoury snacks. Parties must take place between 12noon and 4pm, with a minimum of 6 people.
You’ll also be given access to the fabulous outdoor Splash Zone, as well as a day pass to the brand new, indoor soft play area and opt for endless fun on the Black Pearl, our full sized, pirate’s ship.

facilities at Sandymouth

Our five-star facilities are second to none, with an indoor tropically heated swimming pool to dip your toes in, a brand new indoor soft play area for the children to run wild in, as well as a wonderful Bistro Bar & Restaurant serving mouth-watering main meals and delicious light lunches, as well a fully stocked bar.
Step outside the main complex and follow the outdoor fitness trail, where you can test your core strength while admiring the truly breathtaking views of the Cornish countryside.
The little ones will love the Black Pearl Pirate Ship, where their imaginations can run wild! And during the summer, the whole family can have a blast with the Outdoor Splash Zone!

There really is something for everyone at Sandymouth Holiday Resort, so what are you waiting for? Book your holiday, explore the local area and see for yourself why Sandymouth is one of the UK’s most popular family holiday destinations!

Our family focused activities at New Pines offers something new to discover every day with our fantastic team of Rangers. Nestled in the Denbighshire countryside, the gated community of New Pines Holiday Home Park has some fantastic entertainment organised by Charlie Bear and his talented team of Rangers. The weekly programme has activities available for all ages, from teenagers to the little ones, there will be something fun for all ages!

the rangers activities

During the summer months the Rangers host a range of Fun Days, with inflatable assault courses and Segway’s, but throughout the year they work hard to keep all our guests entertained by introducing new activities regularly and making sure all ages can enjoy the activities available.

Regular activities include:

• Crown Making – who doesn’t want to be a prince/princess?
• Street Dance Classes – learn how to pop and lock with the pros (that’s what they do right? Pop and lock?)
• Face Painting – pick a design and see your face transform
• Gameshow – can you answer all the questions right?
• Party Dances – learn the moves to the Charlie Bear Dance and more!
• Tasty Creations – create some delicious treats to eat.
• Scavenger Hunt – can you find everything on Charlie’s list?

With a wide range of activities your little’s will never get bored with Charlie and his friends. Plus Charlie Bear himself will be making an appearance every day for a cuddle and a photo op, see what this cheeky bear is up to next!

evening family entertainment

Spend your evenings in the clubhouse being thoroughly entertained by the Rangers, with family fun activities like karaoke and disco bingo, where you need the right list of songs to win, as well as fabulous shows such as a Rangers lip sync battle to get the whole family laughing and singing along! An evening full of laughter and fun at the New Pines clubhouse.

New Pines also has a fabulous family hang out room with a soft play area for the little ones to enjoy, as well as a separate games room with a pool table and a range of games consoles to keep everyone entertained.
Becoming an owner at New Pines Holiday Home Park is easier than you may think, with a wide range of holiday homes for sale and finance options owning your dream holiday home along the North Wales coastline is closer than you think. For more information chat to an adviser via our Live Chat service or call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745 858010.

Please be aware all children must be accompanied by an adult during all Rangers activities.

Exploring the Islands on Windermere – England’s Largest Natural Lake

Windermere in the heart of the Lake District national park is 10.5 miles in length and at its widest over 1.5miles in width. Always a popular choice for tourists, people have flocked here for decades, with even the Victorians enjoying cruises on the lake since the 1800s, soaking up the peaceful atmosphere and taking in the breathtaking views. There are 3 main boat piers you can take a cruise from, Bowness, Ambleside (Waterhead) and Lakeside. Windermere Lake Cruises offer a stunning cruise for you to view the Lake District in a completely unique way!

a range of stunning cruises to choose from

Located approximately 1 hour away from Thanet Well Lodge Retreat and Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat by car or bus, Windermere Lake Cruises offer cruises from 45 minutes to over 3 hours in length and operate all year round, except Christmas Day.

If you are short on time, the circular ‘Blue’ Islands cruise is a great choice but there are plenty of other cruises available; some even visiting local lakeshore attractions with joint tickets. Many people report that the Islands’ Cruise has given them a whole new perspective of Windermere – with a string of 18 islands overall to see, the experience provides a stunning way to enjoy the lake’s unforgettable scenery. Interestingly, many of the islands are called ‘holme’ after the local word for ‘island’, which originates from the old Norse language.

Most of the islands are in the Bowness area, roughly dividing the lake into two halves. The largest is Belle Isle, which covers around 37 acres and is the only privately owned and inhabited island.

steeped in history & natural beauty

On the cruise, be sure to catch a glimpse of the ‘Round House’ in the centre of the island – it was built in 1774 and was the first of its kind in England.
The island has an even longer history though. It was used as a Royalist stronghold during the Civil War and it’s rumoured that a Roman commander once built a villa here too.

Keep an eye out for Blake Holme and Silver Holme, which were thought to be part of the inspiration for Wild Cat Island and Cormorant Island in Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons series of books. Published in 1930, the original novel from the series was a family favourite for many before the popularisation of the TV in the 1950s. (Incidentally, ‘Rio’ was apparently based on Bowness-on-Windermere).

The island named – Lady Holme (previously called Mary Holme) also has a literary link having featured in William Wordsworth poem, The Prelude. Two monks used to run a leper colony here, although the main visitors nowadays are Cormorants and you can often see these distinctive water birds quietly roosting on the island.

an array of islands with their own tales to tell

Another highlight during the cruise is the Crow Holme island, which was used to kennel the local hounds of the Windermere Harriers; it’s said there are still kennels hidden by the trees on the island. Many visitors will also be interested to see the two ‘Lillies of the Valley’, named after the wildflowers which used to grow here. Of course, there’s also the smallest island of them all the islands – Maiden Holme, which has just one tree!

The Blue Islands Cruise is a fitting introduction to the beauty and tranquillity of this iconic lake. Although trying out one of Windermere Lake Cruises’ self-drive motor boats to get an even closer look at some of the little-known gems in the centre of England’s largest lake is also highly recommended!

You can book online here – windermere-lakecruises.co.uk