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Metro Checks In to Another Place, a Lake District hotel that gave our Lifestyle Editor Rachel Moss one of the best breaks she’s ever had.
There are few better feelings as a parent than watching your child from a distance, before they’ve spotted you, and seeing them thriving.
That was exactly what we experienced when collecting our son from the crèche at Another Place, the Lake District hotel that offers free childcare with every stay.
This perk allows parents to go paddle boarding, enjoy a fellside sauna, swim in Ullswater lake, or book a spa treatment, before collecting little ones for an afternoon of family fun — assuming you can drag them away.
Our 16-month-old was so engrossed in the outdoor play kitchen, he barely registered the arrival of Mummy and Daddy at the door.
With such a happy boy, there was only one thing to do: book him in for a repeat session the next day, and start perusing the cocktail menu.
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The facilities at Another Place
With uninterrupted views across Ullswater, Another Place is a sprawling site that manages to maintain boutique charm.
The original Georgian hall and contemporary extensions contain all sorts of rooms for all sorts of guests, including generous suites, shepherd’s huts, two private cottages, and even a treehouse.
We stayed in one of the Best Family Suites, which had a large modern bedroom and adjoining living room, posh bathroom with freestanding bath, and a separate bunkroom for kids (though we did insist our little climber slept in the cot provided).
It would be easy to spend the day in the room, lounging around in a robe, but there was so much more to see.
We enjoyed daily swimming with our son in the hotel’s indoor pool, which also has a hot tub and sauna for adults, plus treatment rooms for bookable pampering.
There are also four restaurants (more on those later), plus the Library, which has free coffee and board games during the day and is the perfect place for a digestif at night.
The activities
The real showstopper at Another Place is the lake, which you can enjoy at your leisure or with a guided activity, with free wetsuits and floats available.
Metro Checks In
We opted for a stand-up paddle boarding lesson (£40pp), hosted by the fantastic instructor, Richie.
As a complete novice, I focused on mastering basic techniques and was gobsmacked that I completed the mini tour without falling in.
My husband, who’s far more adventurous, gave some of Richie’s ‘tricks’ a try, managing to nail a paddleboard wheelie…before falling in. It was a huge laugh, and I was so impressed with how the session was tailored to our individual confidence levels.
The next day we gave the fellside sauna a try (£16pp). It involves getting a sweat on in the sauna cabin, before cooling off with a dip in the lake or the plunge pool. There may have been some swearing (from me) and a lot of laughs (from everyone else). Even as someone who hates the cold, I’d recommend it.
On day three, we dragged ourselves away from the hotel to explore the beauty beyond.
The hotel has partnered with Land Rover Discover, giving guests the opportunity to borrow a seven-seater family Discovery or a five-seat Sport plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for the day — for no charge. Honestly, we’re not petrol heads, but our toddler (currently in his ‘beep beep!’ era) enjoyed sitting in the big chairs, if nothing else.
It wouldn’t be a trip to the Lake District without hiking, and you can collect maps detailing recommended routes from reception. We chose to explore the majestic 65-foot waterfall, Aira Force, that’s just 10 minutes up the road. The route is relatively child-friendly and doable with a toddler in a carrier.
There was so much we sadly ran out of time to try. The hotel also offers endless pool training sessions to work on your stroke (£80pp), stargazing night swims (£45pp), wing foiling (a cross between wind surfing and paddleboarding, £100pp), archery (£20pp) kayaking (£35pp) and canoeing (£30pp).
Throughout the year, there are various three-day ‘camps’ available, from wild swimming to Pilates, and from 17 November 2025 to 10 January 2026, the hotel will open a shore-side ice skating rink.
Is it too soon to return for a Christmas stay?
The childcare
Access to theOfsted-registered creche, the Kids’ Zone, is included within the price of your stay and there’s no limit on bookings, though sessions are on a ‘first come first served’ basis.
The pretty cabin is perfectly set up for sensory and play, with wooden toys, a crafts table, and story time beanbags. Outside, there are ramps, a play kitchen and fun-filled tipis.
We booked our toddler in for 2.5 hours each day and couldn’t have been more impressed with the staff, Gillian, Rachel and Lucy. Our son was all excitable babbles when we collected him, proudly waving around his artwork with a grin.
During term time, the creche is reserved for under 5s, but sessions extend during the holidays for kids up to age 12, with activities like den building, pumpkin carving, and mocktail making planned for October half term.
The hotel also offers baby monitoring tablets, which allow parents to enjoy a grown-up dinner while little ones sleep soundly in the room.
If that’s not for you, there are bookable babysitters at an extra cost. And on a Saturday night, there’s an evening Kids’ Zone for older children until 9.30pm, where the group venture down into the grounds with headtorches for a campfire hot chocolate.
Food and drink
You have four restaurants to choose from. The Rampsbeck is the fanciest, where you’ll find a divine scallop starter and a lamb risotto that’s even better.
Next, there’s The Living Space, an informal lounge that was a slight comedown by comparison.
My jerk chicken was mild and grainy, and my husband’s smoked mackerel starter was burnt. What this place does well though, is kids meals, lunchtime sandwiches, and burgers. Stick with the classics.
The third restaurant, The Glasshouse, is the closest to the water’s edge, with woodfire pizzas and a spectacular view. Opening hours are limited, though.
And finally, the hotel has its own pub, The Brackenrigg Inn, just a six-minute walk away. It was back to five-star quality here, with hearty steak pie and moreish apple crumble.
The ultimate holiday for choice
You could go to Another Place a dozen times and have a different holiday each one. Be as lazy or active as you want, and within reason, spend as much or little time with your kids as you want.
Across four days, our family found the ideal balance of relaxation and invigoration for us. And after such excitement, our son slept for a record-breaking 13 hours each night.
Room rates start from £245 per night. We’re already planning our return.
At a glance...
Check-in/check-out: 3pm /11am
Disability access? There are two fully accessible bedrooms, on the ground floor with accessible bathrooms. The pool has a swimming hoist that can be prepared ahead of guest arrival. Some areas of the grounds are partially accessible, full details on the website.
Standout feature: The wide range of activities – and childcare allowing you to enjoy them all.
Perfect for: Families, wild swimming enthusiasts and dog-owners
Not right for: Couples who want a child-free week. Expect kiddies is the restaurants.
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English (United States) ·