- Play Hard
- 7th Oct 2026
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Why The Pheasant Lodge is the Lake District autumn getaway we’re booking
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As the fells turn amber and the fires get lit, The Pheasant Lodge, a beautifully restored Georgian retreat near Cartmel, comes into its own.
Original arches, period shutters and parquet floors sit alongside every modern comfort, and it’s built for the season when everyone wants to be under one roof, whether that’s three generations of the same family or a group of old friends finally getting a weekend back together.
Sleeping up to six within the Lake District National Park, on the doorstep of Cartmel, The Pheasant Lodge is a self-catering base built around one thing above all else: spending time with loved ones, snuggled up by the log fire.
A GEORGIAN HOUSE, READY FOR WHOEVER WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR
Everything sits on the ground floor, so grandparents, teenagers, toddlers and anyone who’d rather not tackle a staircase after a long walk can all move around with ease.
High ceilings, garden-view windows, a log fireplace and original parquet floors give the lodge its Georgian character, especially once the low autumn light comes through them in the late afternoon. A fully equipped kitchen, contemporary bathroom and separate WC keep a full house running smoothly.
TWO BEDROOMS, FLEXIBLE FOR WHO’S COMING
The super-king master bedroom keeps its Georgian character fully intact, with an original arch, period shutters and a seating area of its own, perfect for a quiet cup of tea while the rain does its thing against the window.
The second bedroom converts between a super-king and twin singles, so it works whether it’s a couple, two friends sharing, or the kids. With the lounge’s sofa bed too, no one is an afterthought and everyone is comfortable.
THE LOUNGE, WHERE EVERYONE GATHERS BY THE FIRE
Deep sink-in sofas seat six around a log-burning fire, the kind of fire that turns a rainy Saturday into the actual point of the weekend rather than something to wait out. A 60-inch TV with Sky and Netflix keeps the evenings easy once the light’s gone by 5pm.
Board games after dinner, a film with everyone squeezed in, or a proper catch-up over a glass of red wine once the little ones are settled, this truly is the heart of the stay.
THE DINING ROOM AND KITCHEN ARE MADE FOR SHARED MEALS
The dining room seats six under soft mood lighting, next to a fully refurbished kitchen with an oven, grill, microwave and four hobs. Picture a big autumn stew or a roast after a windswept walk, plenty of glassware for a proper group dinner, and a window seat where whoever’s cooking still feels part of the conversation. There’s a high chair available for anyone bringing little ones along, too.
READY FOR WHOEVER SHOWS UP
A travel cot, high chair and children’s tableware are all provided for family groups, alongside a well-stocked games cupboard that works just as well for a friends’ weekend as it does for a rainy afternoon with the kids. The full range of facilities even stretches to a fold-out office desk and extra deck chairs for the garden, tucked away in the utility cupboard for whenever they’re needed
The boot room takes care of wet coats, muddy boots and spare wellies and boots, which gets a proper workout once the fells turn soggy, with a washing machine, heated dryer and iron on hand. A separate WC means the bathroom queue never gets long, whoever’s staying.
THREE GARDENS, EACH WITH ITS OWN JOB
Outside, three private garden areas give the whole group room to breathe, even in the cooler months: a side lawn long enough for games, a front garden that catches the last of the evening sun for a quiet drink wrapped in a blanket, and a walled garden for a peaceful morning coffee before the house wakes up. Private parking for three cars means no logistics headache on arrival, there’s room for everyone.
NINE THINGS TO DO NEARBY THIS AUTUMN
The Pheasant Lodge’s location only adds to its appeal, with Cartmel on its doorstep, it’s the perfect way to spend a weekend filled with incredible sights and award-winning food.
PUBS AND RESTAURANTS FOR COSY AUTUMN NIGHTS
The Cavendish Arms in Cartmel is only a few minutes’ drive away, and built for exactly this kind of weather, with a seasonal menu of hearty, rustic dishes and generous portions. Rogan & Co in Cartmel, the more relaxed sister restaurant to L’Enclume, brings Michelin-trained cooking, ideal for a slower group dinner or a celebration.
Local gem Heft.,the 17th-century inn run by chef Kevin Tickle and his wife Nicola, serves modern British food built around locally reared and foraged produce, while Yew Tree Barn, better known as one of the UK’s leading architectural reclamation yards, is also home to Harry’s Cafe and a Friday Night Bistro, an unexpected but charming spot for a bite among the antiques.
WALKS AND VIEWS FOR CRISP AUTUMN DAYS
Hampsfell, above Grange-over-Sands, is a short, rewarding climb to the Hospice folly at the top, with views over Morecambe Bay that are hard to beat once the bracken’s turned gold. Fell Foot on the shores of Windermere offers an easier, flatter walk along the water, with a café for warming up afterwards, good for a group that wants to split off at different paces. The Grange-over-Sands promenade is the one for a slower morning, a flat, sea-facing stretch that suits every generation and every fitness level in the party.
ATTRACTIONS FOR A DAY OUT TOGETHER
A cruise with Windermere Lake Cruises turns a grey afternoon into an easy group outing, whoever’s along for the ride. Holker Hall & Gardens, near Cark-in-Cartmel, is at its best in autumn, when the gardens turn copper and the deer park comes into its own. And Cartmel village itself, with Cartmel Priory, Cartmel Racecourse and the original Sticky Toffee Pudding shop, is worth an afternoon on its own before heading back to the fire.
Whether it’s three generations under one roof or old friends reconvening for a golden-hued weekend away, The Pheasant Lodge gives every kind of group the space to be together and the space to switch off, all within easy reach of one of the Lake District’s best food villages.
The Pheasant Lodge, Field Broughton, Lake District National Park, LA11 6HW
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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