A WELCOME sense of serenity enveloped me as I approached the boutique B&B that was to be my home for a couple of nights in a stunning Cumbrian coastal resort.

A beautiful tree-lined drive at the end of a quiet lane and the sound of birdsong set the scene for a relaxing stay at Grange Manor in the stunning town of Grange-over-Sands.

The property is over 200 years old and was one of the first houses built in Grange-over-Sands before the village was transformed into a health resort in the second half of the 19th Century. It was used as a private home until just after the Second World War when it became a hotel.

The cheese and meat platter really sets you up for the day (Image: Supplied) Grange Manor is now surrounded by woodland, situated in two-and-a-half acres of gardens and 53 varieties of birds have been identified in the grounds.

So it makes sense that the guest rooms are named after a few of them including Garden Warbler, Goldcrest, Tawny Owl and Brambling and the first door you see on entrance into the luxurious B&B was named Chiffchaff and was my room for two nights.

Grange Manor recently reopened after a £750k redevelopment, seeing upgrades such as hot tubs and private gardens installed in five of the eight rooms. The B&B is owned by Red Door Escapes which has four properties in Grange-over-Sands with Bay Villa B&B and Woodhaven and Hampsfell self-catering cottages on the same lane as Grange Manor.

Chiffchaff’s beautiful mature garden (Image: Supplied) Red Door Escapes is an off shoot of South Lakes Hotels which was founded 30 years ago by Jonathan and Margaret Denby. The group now has six hotels and B&Bs in the Lakes including Damson Dene Hotel, Newby Bridge Hotel, Cuckoo Brow Inn and Windermere Park.

Grange Manor has also secured a coveted five star rating from tourist board VisitEngland – making it one of only six B&Bs or guesthouses in Cumbria to achieve the status. The accreditation is given to guest accommodation reaching the highest standards of experience from greeting on arrival to food, furnishings and fittings.

And it’s not difficult to understand why the accolade was awarded as Grange Manor ticks all these boxes.

My partner and I were given the warmest of welcomes by Mark who showed us to our room and explained everything from Netflix being available to ordering breakfast that would be served to our room at a chosen time. What an absolute treat it was to have breakfast served in your room at a table overlooking the grounds with choices including full cooked breakfast and smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with truffle oil.

Newsquest Cumbria regional editor, Joy Yates, at Grange Manor B&B (Image: Supplied) Then the icing on the cake was unveiled – the patio doors leading to a beautiful garden with a secluded hot tub surrounded by stunning woodland. Plastic champagne glasses are provided so it would have been rude not to enjoy the full bubbles experience complete with only the sounds of nature.

You feel like you are the only ones in the world when you stay at Grange Manor – it’s the perfect escape where it’s impossible to not be blown away by the calm and tranquillity.

I’d recommend twitchers flock to Grange Manor as other birds identified in the gardens include skylarks, willow warblers, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Yellowhammers, Nuthatches, Swallows and Bullfinches.

Delicious smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with truffle oil (Image: Supplied) Grange-over-Sands is on the north side of Morecambe Bay, a few miles south of the Lake District National Park. Grange Manor is on Hampsfell Road which leads to the limestone pavement crag of Hampsfell, from which 360 degree panoramic views of the Lake District and Morecambe Bay can be seen.

The area is renowned for its sensational culinary scene. The village of Cartmel is just minutes away where the three Michelin Star restaurant L'Enclume and the one Michelin Star Rogan & Co are located. Even closer is the one Michelin Star Heft at High Newton.

What a view – Grange-over-Sands (Image: Supplied) I chose to stay very local and one of the restaurants on Grange Manor’s website was the Mediterranean restaurant, Thyme Out. The team there were tremendous. I love it when someone is extremely confident in recommending dishes to try and we were not disappointed with the platter board of halloumi fries, Greek salad, olives, houmous, tzatziki, stuffed vine leaves, falafel, gigantes beans and pitta bread.

I could have easily spent a week at Grange Manor, there’s so much you could see and do. It’s ideally located for the famous Cartmel Races and close to attractions including Windermere Lake Cruises, Holker Hall and Gardens and Beatrix Potter’s rural retreat Hill Top.

One of the relaxing hot tubs (Image: Supplied) We’d planned a totally chilled, relaxing weekend so what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than with a treatment at a beautiful spa.

The Swan Hotel & Spa in Newby Bridge, Ulverston, was only a 15-minute drive so we booked into its Holte Spa for a 30-minute Drift Away Back Massage. The therapist used a blend of TEMPLE SPA Mediterranean essential oils including frankincense, lavender and patchouli and after asking for a ‘firm’ pressure I could feel the knots, stresses and strains literally drifting away. I only wish I hadn’t left it so late to book and could only secure a 30-minute slot, which for £65 was worth every penny.

We then spent a delightful couple of hours in the stunning spa garden feature an indoor and outdoor Finnish sauna; an al fresco hot tub; naturally filtered hydrotherapy pool; state-of-the-art steam room and cosy relaxation corners. Two-hour access to the Thermal Suite is from £45 per person or you can go elite and upgrade to a Champagne and Truffle Spa Day from £150 per person.

One of the bedrooms where the delicious breakfasts are served (Image: Supplied) The Swan, set in 23 acres, has 82 bedrooms, four luxury self-catering cottages. Its rich history dates back to its inception as a late 17th century coaching inn. Renowned for its hospitality and warm ambiance, it has undergone many expansions and renovations, now welcoming visitors from around the world to its luxury spa hotel and wedding facilities.

I peeked into the brasserie and will need to return for the fillet steak, matured for at least 21 days and finished in a smoked bone marrow butter – it looked divine.


The fabulous room where the patio doors lead to a spacious garden and hot tub (Image: Supplied)

The hotel was elegantly decorated in autumnal tones with an elegant addition of Halloween glamour. I would love to see the hotel at Christmas – you can find out what’s going on by visiting the website here www.swanhotel.com/whats-on-at-the-swan/

I never take for granted working in the most beautiful county of Cumbria and I couldn’t think of anywhere I would rather staycay. And Grange Manor and Grange-over-Sands is right up there with my all-time favourite home-holiday destinations where amazing memories are definitely made.

DETAILS

For more information on Grange Manor, visit: www.grange-manor.co.uk/

Grange Manor, Hampsfell Road, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6BG. 01539 760215 stay@grange-manor.co.uk

The Swan Hotel & Spa Newby Bridge Ulverston LA12 8NB www.swanhotel.com T: 015395 3168 X: @swannewybridge | Facebook: @swanhotelandspa | Instagram: @swanhotelnewbybridge