For those who like a plan….
A few of our favourite ways to spend your time here, whether you want a ready-made plan or just a nudge in the right direction.
Short Breaks
Two ready made plans for a two night, three day escape, tried and tested by us.
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Arrival Day
Check in at 3pm, settle into Lakehouse life on the deck and enjoy the views of the lake whilst meeting our friendly ducks. Jump on the bikes and cycle 1 mile up to the Cock O’Barton pub for dinner and drinks.Day 2
Enjoy a coffee on the deck as you get ready for the day ahead. If you manage to make it onto the deck for sunrise you’ll enjoy an incredible dawn chorus of birdsong as the sun rises over the lake.Take a wander around Chester: walk the Roman walls or enjoy an ice cream down by the river. Pop into the Grosvenor Museum if you fancy it (it’s free) or hop on a tour bus and learn about our historic city.
Lunch at: Marmalade café who do THE most amazing cakes or if you have a big appetite, Hickory’s Smokehouse down by the river does the most amazing American favourites!
Grab some supplies from Bellis Brothers farm shop (before 6pm) or order our Pizza kit and try your hand cooking in the outdoor oven at The Lakehouse. Get the music on, enjoy a twilight bath on the deck, share a bottle of fizz or a warming red wine and just relaaxxxx….or play some board games and watch a movie!
Day 3
Hop in the car and head to Tattenhall for breakfast, either a proper cooked breakfast at the Bear or a coffee and a bacon roll at Cambers, where you can also pick up a pair of walking boots if you’ve come without. Then make your way up to walk the Sandstone Ridge in Burwardsley.Enjoy lunch at the Pheasant Inn before you head off home.
Didn't have time for Chester Zoo or the Ice Cream Farm? Save them for your next stay!
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Arrival Day
Check in at 3pm, settle into Lakehouse life and enjoy the views of the lake whilst meeting our friendly ducks. Order our pizza kit and enjoy a fun evening together cooking on the outdoor oven at The Lakehouse. If your pizza doesn’t turn out you can always order a takeout from one of the great pubs nearby! Get the music on, enjoy a twilight bath on the deck, share a bottle of fizz or a warming red wine in front of the log fire and just relax.Day 2
Enjoy breakfast with a view of the lake and the sounds of the birds from the deck as you gear up for the day.Head to Chester Zoo for a jam packed day seeing thousands of animals from all corners of the world.
Take some time out back at The Lakehouse and put your feet up and chill until evening rolls in.
Jump on the bikes and cycle up to the Cock O’Barton for dinner and drinks (it’s downhill all the way back!)
Day 3
Hop in the car and head to Lost Barn for a coffee (and maybe a Bacon Roll or Avo on toast) before making your way up to visit Peckforton or Beeston Castle or take a walk on the Sandstone Trail at Burwardsley.Late Sunday Lunch at The Pheasant Inn before you head home.
Didn't have time for Stretton Watermill, the thermal gardens at Carden Park Spa or a day in Chester? Save them for your next stay!
Days Out
Easy days out from the Lakehouse, whatever the length of your stay.
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Hop in the car and head to the Bear in Tattenhall for a proper cooked breakfast (from 8:30am at weekends), or grab a coffee and a bacon roll at Cambers.
Fuelled up, make your way to Beeston Castle and climb up to the ruins on top of the crag. The views are worth every step! Then head on to Bickerton Hill and walk the Sandstone Trail up to Maiden Castle, an Iron Age hillfort with views right across to Wales.
Back to the Lakehouse for a long soak in the copper bath, then jump on the bikes for dinner at the Cock O’Barton.
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Wind your way through the lanes to the Lost Barn for coffee and one of their cinnamon buns (you won’t regret it), then carry on to Malpas.
Take a wander round this lovely old border village, with its independent shops and Norman church. If you fancy stretching your legs, pick one of the circular walks from Malpas Cross: anything from a 30 minute stroll round the town to a two-hour loop through the fields. Don’t forget to stock up at the bakeries!
Head home the same way and call in at Stretton Watermill on the way back. Then it’s dinner at the Cock O’Barton or the Carden Arms in Tilston, which is right on your route.
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Start the day at Usher’s Bakehouse in Hoole for coffee and something from the counter (the cruffins are a must!), then head into the city.
Spend the morning exploring Chester Cathedral and stay for lunch in its café, or graze your way round the street food stalls at Chester Market. Spend the afternoon browsing the Rows.
Make an evening of it at Storyhouse with theatre, cinema or a talk, or in summer take a picnic to the Open Air Theatre in Grosvenor Park. Finish with cocktails at Upstairs at the Grill, then get an Uber back, so nobody has to drive.
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Start at the Lost Barn with coffee roasted on site and a proper brunch, then pick up some sourdough from their farm shop for tomorrow’s breakfast.
Spend a lazy afternoon on the deck with the ducks, and save yourselves for dinner!
For the evening, book Gary Usher’s White Horse in Churton, just down the road, or Restaurant 209 in Farndon, our top pick for a romantic date night. If you’d rather head into Chester, Sticky Walnut in Hoole and Chef’s Table are both brilliant, and Uber will bring you home.
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Golfers are spoilt here: Carden Park, right next door, has two championship courses, or for a more relaxed round Aldersey Green is just five minutes away.
Not a golfer? Spend the day at the spa at Carden Park and its outdoor thermal gardens, or book a treatment with Sarah Pearson Holistic Beauty at Smithy House, just a 2 minute walk from the Lakehouse.
If you’re at Carden Park, stay on for dinner at The Vines. Otherwise, the Cock O’Barton is just up the lane, or pick anywhere from our Nearby page.