Brompton Lakes

GW thinks...

Set on the banks of the river Swale, just outside the charming Georgian market town of Richmond, the luxury lodges at Brompton Lakes offer a rare sanctuary of peace and quiet. If you need to change gear and just chill for a few days, this is the place...

There are twenty lodges in total, each one with its own unique name and identity; from the dramatic and secluded Isabella with its red walls and solid walnut wood floor, to the cool and airy Jasper in sage and cream, brightened with splashes of bespoke art work. With the exception of two lodges, all are positioned with a generous veranda overlooking the lake, each one thoughtfully positioned to maintain that elusive sense of privacy. Inside each lodge you’ll find state-of-the-art kitchens, large open-plan living areas, a plasma TV with DVD player, sumptuous furnishings and a chic centre-piece log burner.

The lodges have impressive green credentials; a combination of sedum roofs, geo-thermal heat pumps and environmentally sound building techniques make this one of the most advanced holiday developments of its kind in the UK. Great care has also been taken with the immediate landscape, with the planting of indigenous species of trees, shrubs and flowers. As a result the local wildlife and bird population have flourished; Brompton Lakes can boast a resident Kingfisher amongst its swans, moorhens and ducks. Take some time to just sit back and soak it up. Sipping an afternoon G & T on the veranda with just the birds for company does wonders for the soul!

If a mosey around the shops followed by a cup of Yorkshire tea is about as active as you want to get, Richmond is within easy striking distance. If you want to get a little more active, other on-site activities include tennis, mountain biking, boules, fishing and wild swimming in the river Swale. As it’s the Yorkshire Dales you’re also in classic walking territory here, with Alfred Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast walk passing right by the site.

Dress for dinner...

The lodges at Brompton Lakes are all self-catering and the soft touch kitchen units come well stocked with everything you need to rustle up something delicious. A welcome hamper with some treats to get you started is waiting for you on arrival. Richmond has a number of excellent butchers and the staff at Brompton Lakes will be more than happy to recommend other good local suppliers.

There are also a number of excellent restaurants and pubs nearby. The Frenchgate Hotel & restaurant in Richmond has an enviable reputation for fine dining and the Blue Lion at East Witton is one of the best gastro-pubs in Yorkshire. You’ll find plenty of considered recommendations in your welcome pack along with those in your GW location guide to the Dales.

Time for bed...

Each lodge features three generous double bedrooms with the master bedroom enjoying en-suite facilities. Most of the doubles can be easily converted into twins and every lodge has a large family bathroom, so there’s plenty of room for the kids.