There’s a moment — usually somewhere between the mulled wine and the third game of charades — when someone in the group says it. “We should do this every year.”
That’s what Christmas in the Lake District does to people.
We’ve been lucky enough to host groups here at The Terrace Windermere and Orrest Head House over the festive period for years. And without exception, the ones who come once tend to come back. Something about being up here, together, in a big beautiful house with the fells outside and a fire going inside — it does something to people.
Here’s why it works so well.
The Houses Were Made for This
Seriously. Think about what you need for a proper Christmas or New Year:
A big table where everyone sits together. Every one of our houses has one.. No one’s eating on a tray on their knee.
A kitchen big enough to actually cook in. All of our large houses have range cookers a few have AGAs too.
A place to sink into after dinner. Chesterfield sofas. Open fires. The kind of room you don’t leave in a hurry.
A cinema in the cellar. Because at some point, someone’s going to want to put a Christmas film on. We’ve got cinemas seating between 12 and 18 people, depending on the house. That’s a proper screening, not four people squinting at a laptop.
And at The Terrace properties — a hot tub to see the new year in. Standing in 40-degree water at midnight while the fells are lit up above you. We’d tell you what it’s like but we think you should find out for yourself.
Orrest Head House Has Its Own Bar
Worth saying twice. Orrest Head House has its own private bar — Josiah Brown’s, named after one of the house’s original owners from the 1670s. You bring the drinks. You ring first orders. Job done. No taxis, no queuing, no closing time.
It’s a Grade II listed house with over 2 acres of private grounds and a walk up to Orrest Head that starts right at the gate. Twenty minutes to the top. Views that’ll stop you mid-sentence. Ideal for blowing away the Christmas cobwebs.
The Lake District in Winter Is Beautiful
People forget this. Everyone thinks the Lakes is a summer thing. It isn’t.
In December and January, the light does something extraordinary. The fells turn every shade of purple and rust. If there’s frost on the ground and you catch a clear morning, it genuinely takes your breath away.
Windermere village is a two-minute walk from The Terrace. Booths supermarket is on the doorstep for the big shop. And there’s a string of good local restaurants if you fancy a night off cooking — Homeground does a brilliant breakfast, The Crafty Baa is the best little bar around, and there are a handful of proper restaurants within easy walking distance.
Who’s This For?
Big families who want everyone under one roof. Groups of friends who’ve been talking about doing something like this for years and finally are. Couples who want something better than a hotel. Anyone who’s tired of the same Christmas.
Our houses sleep between 12 and 16 guests at The Terrace, and up to 14 at Orrest Head House — or up to 19 if you take the House and the Cottage together.
Christmas and New Year fill up quickly. If you’re thinking about it for this year, don’t leave it too long.
Book Direct. No Platform Fees.
Book straight through us at theterracewindermere.co.uk and there are no booking fees, no commissions, nothing extra. Just a straightforward price.
Questions? Drop us a message on the contact page or call us on 0330 088 4086. We’re real people and we’ll get back to you quickly.
Andy and Barbara (owners)
