I’ll never forget the drive up to Penrith – what should’ve been a straightforward jaunt from the M6 turned into a comedy of errors thanks to my hopeless sense of direction. Satnav insisted on taking us through some winding back lane that felt like it hadn’t seen tarmac since the war, and just as we hit a particularly dodgy pothole, the heavens opened. Rain hammered the windscreen so hard I could barely see, and my other half was convinced we’d end up in Scotland by mistake. We were both soaked from a quick dash to check a signpost, laughing like idiots as I slipped in a puddle and nearly face-planted into a sheep. By the time we spotted the turn-off, anticipation was bubbling – Ullswater’s right there, sparkling in the distance, and I was dreaming of kicking back with a cuppa overlooking it all.

Pulling up to the place felt like stumbling into a warm hug after that chaos. It’s a first-floor apartment, tucked away nicely, and stepping into the porch was pure relief – somewhere to finally kick off our muddy boots and fling our dripping coats without a care. We shuffled inside, still giggling about my near-miss with the sheep, and straight away, the open-plan living space wrapped us up in cosiness. The lounge is spot-on for unwinding: a proper comfy sofa bed that screams “extra guests welcome” or just the perfect spot to flop with the telly on after a long day. But the real star? Those French windows spilling out onto the balcony, flooding the room with light even on a grey afternoon. I stood there for a minute, dripping a bit on the floor (sorry, not sorry), just taking it in – views over the fells that made the whole soggy drive worth it.

We dumped our bags and headed to the dining area, which seats four easy and looked ideal for a romantic supper later – though with our arrival antics, I reckon we’d earned fish and chips first. First impressions? Bloody brilliant, if you’ll pardon the enthusiasm. It’s got that effortless Lake District charm without being fussy, and after the road madness, it felt like our own little sanctuary. We cracked open a bottle of wine on the balcony as the rain eased, watching the clouds lift over the water. A heron glided by, dead casual, and I thought, yeah, this is why we do these trips – to shake off the everyday and remember how good it feels to just breathe.

Wandering out later, we nipped down to Glenridding Pier, just a short hop away, for a proper Ullswater steamers gaze – no boats that evening, but the lakeside path was magic, all misty and serene. Back at the flat, I had a quiet moment reflecting on how I’m always rushing life at home, but here, with the hills rolling out forever, it’s like time slows right down. A gentle nudge to myself: more of this, less faffing. If you’re after a base for gentle walks around Howtown or a lazy picnic by the shore, this spot’s a gem. Can’t wait to go back – minus the pothole detour, mind.