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- 11th Nov 2026
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Fells by day, stars by night: Gilpin’s new stargazing retreats in the Lake District
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Walk the fells, picnic with a view and settle in beneath a sky full of stars. Five-star Gilpin Hotel & Lake House has launched two new Fells & Stars experiences, made for the darker months.
There’s something about the Lake District in autumn and winter. The air is crisp, the crowds have thinned and, once the sun goes down, the skies fill with stars.
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, the five-star, award-winning retreat near Windermere, has created two new experiences to make the most of it.
Fells & Stars combines a day of outdoor adventure with luxurious accommodation and an evening of stargazing, and its launch coincides with the Cumbria Dark Skies Festival, which runs until 20th November.
Zoe Cunliffe, co-owner of Gilpin, says there is something particularly magical about experiencing the Lake District after dark. The idea, she says, is to see the landscape in its entirety: walking the fells by day, then looking up to discover the night sky above them.
Fells & Stars Retreat
From £460
Perfect for a self-guided escape, the Fells & Stars Retreat gives you everything you need to explore at your own pace. You’ll spend one night at Gilpin Lake House, set in 100 acres of private grounds with its own lake, and wake up to a delicious breakfast before heading out onto the fells. Recommended walking routes point the way, while a picnic hamper and a hot drink keep you fuelled for the day.
When darkness falls, head to Gilpin’s dedicated stargazing spot. A printed stargazing guide helps you pick out some of the sky’s most recognisable constellations, so you can look up with a little more knowledge (and a lot more wonder).
What’s included: one night at Gilpin Lake House, breakfast, recommended walking routes, a picnic hamper and hot drink, access to Gilpin’s stargazing spot and a guide to the constellations.
Fells & Stars: Elite
From £2,195
For a more indulgent adventure, Fells & Stars: Elite takes the experience up a level, from fells to forest and Champagne to constellations. You’ll stay in one of Gilpin’s iconic Spa Suites, complete with your own in-room private spa featuring a sauna, steam room and massage chair, and set out with a private Lake District expert guide for a walk tailored to you.
That might be a gentle stroll by the water or the challenge of bagging a Wainwright, with a picnic hamper, a hot drink and a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Champagne along the way.
As evening arrives, an aperitif accompanies you on a luxury journey to Grizedale Observatory, where an astronomer guides your evening of stargazing. Afterwards, you’ll return to Gilpin Hotel for dinner at Michelin-starred SOURCE.
What’s included: one night in a Spa Suite, breakfast, a private guided walk, a picnic hamper, hot drink and a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Champagne, an astronomer-guided stargazing experience at Grizedale Observatory, luxury transport to and from the observatory, an aperitif en route and dinner at SOURCE.
A gift that’s out of this world
Looking for something a little more memorable than the usual Christmas present? Gilpin gift vouchers could be the answer. Whether you’re looking to gift a luxury stay, a blissful spa experience or exceptional dining at Michelin-starred SOURCE, there’s a voucher to suit, giving someone a Lake District escape to look forward to as the nights draw in.
Fells & Stars at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
Where: Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Crook Road, Windermere
Fells & Stars Retreat: From £460. One-night midweek stays at Gilpin Lake House from 1st November, subject to availability
Fells & Stars: Elite: From £2,195. One night in a Spa Suite. Bookings must be made at least two weeks in advance
Good to know: Stargazing is weather dependent, so visibility can’t be guaranteed. Walking routes are suggestions, so check conditions before you set off
Booking: A 50% deposit is taken at the time of booking
Cumbria Dark Skies Festival: 23rd October to 20th November 2026
Phone: +44 (0)15394 88818
Email: [email protected]
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