Rothay Manor, a boutique hotel in Ambleside in the heart of the Lake District in England, is launching a series of new cold water swimming retreats in winter 2024, focusing on mental and physical well-being.
Guests will immerse themselves in some of the UK’s most beautiful bodies of water – learning how to safely acclimatise mind and body to the cold temperatures, teamed with a pop-up cinema, complimenting the retreat activities.
Rothay Manor’s retreats, taking place from 19-21 January and 1-3 March 2024, are collaboratively hosted by three cold-water experts: Jonathan Cowie, Gilly McArthur, and Vicki McCreadie. All three are trained as STA Level 2 Open Water Swim Coaches, and each have their own cold water swimming expertise.
The new two-night cold water retreat include:
- Meet the experts – welcome drink, nibbles round the fire and an introduction into cold-water swimming.
- Guided cold water swim in Loughrigg Tarn, with views of the majestic Langdale Pikes beyond.
- Guided afternoon woodland walk and a cold-water swim in Rydal water with the opportunity to explore Rydal caves and swim beneath the waterfalls.
- Take a dip in the one-mile Grasmere Lake – a favourite spot of poet William Wordworth
- Pop-up Rothay Manor cinema, with complimentary popcorn, screening a selection of inspiring cold-water films.
The cold water retreat at Rothay Manor is available from £650 for two nights on a B&B basis. Price includes expert swimming guidance, three escorted open water swims, robes, reading material, high tea and use of the pop-up cinema. Please note that the guides will adapt the weekend’s swims to suit the group and Lake District weather conditions. See rothaymanor.co.uk
Images: Jumpy James