Blesiure; when a business trip includes time for leisure. The rise of bleisure breaks in 2019 is sure to continue and why not? When business has concluded, having a few days planned holiday on the end of a business trip is a cost-effective – and enjoyable – way of turning time away from home into a time of discovery, wellness and relaxation.
The most popular time to blend business with leisure is naturally at the weekend. When you plan for a bleisure break in advance you can organise for a partner or friend to join you at the end of the week. You can pre-book theatre tickets, make a restaurant reservation, check that places of interest are open, organise any activities and get spa treatments arranged…the list is endless when you forward plan!
Bleisure in the Lakes
We’ve often believed that anyone who goes to the Lake District on business has a dream opportunity to blend business with leisure in the lakes. It doesn’t even matter what time of year, the Lake District delivers throughout each of the seasons, creating new vistas and new memories. Just taking time at the weekend to either drive, ramble or hike around the Lakes can be the perfect antidote to a hectic week of work, site visits and client meetings.
Bleisure at The Ryebeck
Situated in Bowness on Windermere, The Ryebeck certainly ticks the boxes for a beautiful bleisure stay. Accommodation consists of 26 individually designed guest rooms which are categorised as either standard, cosy, superb or grand, plus some rooms are also dog friendly.
The hotel, which was built in the early 1900s, sits in mature gardens with woodland and has superb views towards the famous Lake Windermere and Coniston Fells. It’s also conveniently located for the Windermere Kayak and Canoe centre so planning a weekend adventure on the water is possible! Other places of interest worthy of a visit include the World of Beatrix Potter and Lakeland Motor Museum.
Whether time away in a hotel is for business or leisure, two questions our clients always ask about is parking and food. The good news is The Ryebeck will not disappoint! Firstly, the hotel has parking for up to 50 vehicles. Secondly, whether evening dining, breakfast or afternoon tea, food at The Ryebeck is always delicious.
Dining at The Ryebeck
Nick Edgar brought his Michelin star skills to The Ryebeck kitchens just over a year ago. The head chef is obviously passionate about food and the menu reflects his desire to create food with a story and with a heart.
He has trained in some of the country’s most famous kitchens, gained his Michelin star after just nine months as head chef at The Samling which is in Ambleside, and has the additional accolade of Chef of the Year from Cumbria Life.
Naturally, the ingredients used in Nick’s menu are local and seasonal. The Cumbrian breakfast is certainly a superb start to the day. Homemade black pudding, Cumberland sausage, smoked bacon, hash browns, the works. Plus the breakfast menu has enough options so you can start each day of your stay with a different dish. Try the creamy porridge with honey and berry compote or tuck into a plate of grilled kippers.
As much as the breakfast menu thrills us, the evening menu is equally exciting. Beautiful starters, including home-cured smoked Loch Duart salmon or our favourite, beetroot and goat’s cheese salad, are just two of the soulfully satisfying starts to your evening dining experience in The Ryebeck’s restaurant.
As a vegetarian main course, the sage gnocchi, roasted butternut squash Velouté, cranberry and pistachio granola is a real pleaser and the Cumbrian lamb hotpot will do more than satisfy meat eaters!
When the working week has turned into your bleisure stay, The Ryebeck has a fabulous wine list certain to please the most discerning of diners. Chose a beautiful Sancerre or a silky Pinot Noir from the exclusive list or opt for a Sauvignon from the Marlborough estate for an everyday accompaniment which delivers just as much pleasure.
The Gardens at The Ryebeck
When you stay at this Lake District hotel you will be struck by the gardens which are clearly well maintained. At five acres, there’s plenty to occupy head gardener Kevin Line who has successfully created gardens of varying habitats, many of which are natural havens for wildlife. The wildflower meadow in summer is a delight with cornflowers and poppies and the lake view terrace is the ideal spot for witnessing the dramatic sunsets over the mountains and distant fells.
If you are on a bleisure break, then do put some time aside for a stroll along the specially created meadow paths too.
How to book a business, leisure or bleisure stay
It’s simple to arrange your stay at The Ryebeck. Call our reservations team on 01775 843417 and give the dates you are away for business. If you’re adding additional dates on to your stay, just let the team know and they’ll liaise with The Ryebeck.
Alternatively, you can send an email enquiry via the contact us section here.
Guest feedback on The Ryebeck is excellent so we’re sure you will love your time in the Lakes and at The Ryebeck. And we hope your business trip is a success too.