For a healthy balance in life, rest and relaxation is vital – particularly as part of a good fitness regime. It was difficult to narrow our choice down to four, but here are our top recommendations when it comes to resting at Low Wood Bay resort.
The Atrium
Choose your seat in the Atrium at Low Wood Bay – around the fire pit, at the seat by the window with grandstand views overlooking the lake and fells, or any of the other cozy and contemporary corners – this is a perfect space for R & R. Let the friendly team at Norman’s Juice and Coffee Bar replenish you with healthy snacks and smoothies, or a few naughty niceties and great tasting coffee. You could easily while away an hour or two catching up with friends, or engrossed in a book or favourite magazine.
The Snug
Our laid back beauty experience at Low Wood Bay, The Snug is the place to book a hair appointment, manicures, pedicures, massages, facials and men’s grooming. We might call them ‘needs must’ treatments, but you will find the atmosphere easy-going, unhurried and friendly.
Spa Treatments
We have a full range of facial, body, hands & feet treatments at The Spa at Low Wood Bay. Berry & Birch, our signature range, is completely natural without synthetics, parabens or skin irritants and is designed to leave your skin feeling soft and nourished. Our ESPA range uses only the purest and most natural ingredients, carefully blended by highly trained dermatologists and aroma therapists. The results deliver both instant benefits and protect the long term health and beauty of the skin. Put yourself in the hands of our experienced therapists, relax and let them take the strain. You will feel like a new you.
Blue Smoke on the Bay
Take time out with friends and family in the elegant surroundings and friendly atmosphere of Blue Smoke on the Bay. The star of the show, and where the real theatre takes place, is our 3 metre long double wood-fired grill. Enjoy delights such as Hot Wood-Smoked Salmon, Jerk Chicken Strips, The Bricklayer, or Gratinated Lobster Thermidor. Whether it is brunch, lunch or dinner, by the time you push back from the table we know you will be refreshed, replenished and raring to go!
“Because it’s there” has been called the most famous 3 words in mountaineering. That was, of course, the response of the English mountaineer George Mallory, when he was asked why he wanted to climb Everest.
Since 2003, the United Nations General Assembly has designated, 11th December, International Mountain Day to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life. With over 200 fell tops on our doorstop, including the top ten highest mountains in England, it is only right that we mark the day in some small way.
10 Highest Lake District Mountains
Our Lake District hotels are the perfect base to explore the Lakeland mountains and fells. Find out about the 10 highest Lake District mountains below.
- Scafell Pike at 978 metres (3210 feet)
- Scafell at 964 metres (3162 feet)
- Helvellyn at 950 metres (3114 feet)
- Skiddaw at 931 metres(3053 feet)
- Great End at 910 metres (2986 feet)
- Bowfell at 902 metres (2940 feet)
- Great Gable at 899 metres (2960 feet)
- Pillar at 892 metres (2926 feet)
- Nethermost Pike at 891 metres (2923 feet)
- Catstycam at 890 metres (2920 feet)
10 Surprising facts about Mountains
Here are ten facts about mountains that might come as a surprise:
- There’s no official definition of how high a hill has to be in order to become a mountain. Some regions specify 1,000 feet, others say 2,000 feet.
- Due to tectonic plate movement, Everest grows 4 mm taller each year.
- Scottish mountains over 3,000 feet are called Munros’. British hills over 150 m are called Marilyns’.
- Mountains provide homes to at least one tenth of the world’s population.
- The tallest known mountain in the solar system is Olympus Mons, located on Mars.
- Eighty per cent of the planet’s fresh water originates in the mountains and all the world’s major rivers are fed from mountain sources.
- Some of the highest mountains on the planet are under the sea.
- Walking is the most popular Lake District visitor attraction with approximately 15 million pairs of feet walking the hills and mountains each year which can be damaging to footpaths. Fix the Fells is a partnership which maintains and repairs the upland paths. English Lakes has, through their Visitor Giving Scheme, donated over £160,000 to this very worthy cause.
- Scafell Pike in the Lake District, the highest mountain in England, was donated to the National Trust by Lord Leconfield in memory of the men of the Lake District who fell in the First World War.
- In alternate weeks between December and April, two Fell Top Assessors run 950 m to the top of Helvelyn each day, producing daily weather reports, checking conditions under foot and assessing risks, including avalanches. This has been a lifeline for many mountaineers. A week’s work sees them running the equivalent distance of almost reaching Everest’s summit.
Throughout winter the Lake District hotel guests are always treated marvellous picture post card views of snow-capped peaks, some guests even come to the area just for the snow sports! If it snows on your Lake District Holiday, sledging can be great fun for the whole family…
Hotel Guests First Created Recreational Sledging
The practical use of sledges, or sleds, is ancient and widespread, enabling easier transport of people and goods across snow-covered ground. There are records indicating that Sled Racing has been around since the 15th Century in Norway and Sweden. Interestingly, it was a bunch of hotel guests in St Moritz in the mid 1800’s that brought us recreational sledging. Adapting delivery sledges for a spot of cavorting in the snow, they unwittingly developed a family pastime that, right up to the present time, has young and not-so-young alike eagerly anticipating the first flurries of snowflakes.
Lake District Family Sledging Locations
So that our hotel guests do not feel the need to hijack our deliveries in search of suitable sliding accoutrement, our Lake District hotels keep a sledge in readiness – just in case you forget to pack your own! We’re even prepared to share our top three favourite family sledging places with you – as long as you don’t tell anyone!
1. Tarn Hows
Not only beautiful scenery with a lovely pushchair-friendly short walk around the tarn, the slope down to the lake is moderately steep – great for thrill seekers!
Tarn Howes in Snow
2. Fell Foot Park
The National Trust Fell Foot Park sits at the southern tip of Windermere. Smooth green lawns slope down to the lake shore for some great uninterrupted sledging and suitable for younger children.
Two kids sledging in the snow
But really, you don’t need to go any further than …
3. Low Wood Bay
The sloping fields behind Low Wood Bay is a magnificent sledging spot for our guests. With breathtaking views of Windermere and the snow-covered peaks beyond, even those standing around and not partaking of the sport will not be bored! There are varying gradients offering something for all the family.
Once you have finished having fun in the snow, warm up in Low Wood Bay’s Langdale Lounge & Bar and enjoy a Hot Chocolate by the roaring log fire.
Hot Chocolate by the fire
Sledging Safety Tips
Here are our top tips to ensure you stay safe whilst sledging:
- Choose your slopes carefully for the age and ability of your party
- Be aware of obstructions
- Make sure there is an adequate ‘slow down’ area
On 5th February 2016 we are delighted to be welcoming to Low Wood Bay, Lewis Gordon Pugh, environmental adventurer, and guest speaker at the World Open Water Swimming Awards hosted by ChillSwim.
Lewis Gordon Pugh, ‘The Human Polar Bear’
These awards honour individuals, events and contributions to the world of open water swimming. Pugh has been dubbed ‘The Human Polar Bear’ for his super-human swimming exploits in the coldest waters of our planet.
A growing number of swimmers have completed the ‘ice mile’ which is a one-mile swim in waters of 5 degrees or less. This is how the Outdoor Swimming Society describes the water at this temperature:
Jumping in is likely to impair breathing in the uninitiated, as breath comes in big jolting grasps and it feels like someone has clamped on an ice neck brace. Water has bite, skin smarts and burns. This is winter swimming. Limbs soon become weak – 25 metres can be an achievement – and only takes a minute or two at the lower end of temperatures before skin becomes a lurid purple-orange-red when you exit.
So that’s at around 5 degrees, to put it in context Pugh has completed many sub-zero swims, coming to fame in 2007 for his 1 mile swim across the Geographic North Pole in water temperatures of minus 1.7 degrees.
Although open water swimming was a sporting passion for Pugh from the age of 17 years old, it is so much more than that these days. In 2003 having completed an impressive list of pioneering open water swims, he focussed his attention on the coldest and most hostile waters of the world. He left his career as a Maritime Lawyer and fully embraced what he now calls his ‘Mission’, to inspire people around the world to protect and preserve our oceans and all that live in them, for a peaceful and sustainable future.
Oceans cover 70% of the earth’s surface and we rely on them entirely for our survival. I have seen drastic changes in my lifetime because of our actions.
Already United Nations Patron of the Oceans, in 2015 National Geographic bestowed the title ‘Adventurer of the Year’, and it has been some year. Campaigning for Marine Protected Area status for the Ross Sea in Antarctica, which is at present almost completely free from pollution, Pugh undertook five 1 km sub-zero swims in Antarctica over the course of three weeks, facing the most extreme swimming conditions known to man.
Marine Protected Area status for the Ross Sea would mean the maritime equivalent of our National Park status – something that is very close to our heart here at English Lakes. The area that we are talking about is the combined size of UK, Germany and France.
One of this remarkable adventurer’s favourite quotes, which comes as a challenge to us all, is Nelson Mandela’s infamous words,
Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great, you can be that generation.
Without doubt, The World Open Water Swimming Awards at Low Wood Bay on 5th February will be an inspirational evening.
Chilly Lake Windermere in Winter, the venue for the Big Chillswim
Looking After the Lake District National Park
Recognising the privilege of living and working in some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, English Lakes endeavours to ensure that we are helping to look after the countryside for generations to come. To date, our Visitor Giving Scheme has contributed over £160,000 to various projects on land and in local waters.
English Lakes is a family run business. Chairman and Managing Director, Simon Berry married Diana on 21st May 1983 and had their wedding breakfast at The Wild Boar, their evening reception at Waterhead and spent the first night of their honeymoon at Low Wood Bay.
With lots of involvement from both sides of the family including high jinks from brother, Tim, this was a cherished celebration of family life and the stepping stone to the next generation. Simon and Diana share a few of their memories surrounding the day. ..
‘Just Married’, outside the Church in the village of Grasmere
How Did you Meet?
Simon: I was working in the kitchens of the Savoy Group in London at the time and had one of those very rare weekends off. Running late, I only just made my train home to the Lake District. When I got on board there was only one seat left, and a girl had her feet on it. I politely enquired, “Do you mind if I take this seat”? to which she replied with a stony silence.
Not daunted, I repeated my question at a louder volume, by now the whole carriage was listening in. This time I did get a reply, “No, not if you don’t mind my feet on your lap!” Reluctantly, she did move her feet and we got chatting and I made sure that I left the train with her ‘phone number.
The Proposal
Diana: Well, I thought Simon got round to proposing because his Mum, Phyllis, told him to, but Simon might disagree with that.
Simon: (laughs) Absolutely not true! Working in a kitchen in London did not allow me much time or money. However, I was offered the opportunity to organise the catering for the launch of a new business in the diamond quarter in London. With my hard earned cash, I went straight out, bought the ring and proposed.
Wedding Day
As well as more than a hint of Princess Di, there is a bit of an Edwardian style on the day…
Simon: Nowadays, it is quite common for weddings to have a retro theme, and we see many, particularly at The Midland. Back then, it was relatively unheard of, so quite daring in a way.
Diana: There is a story behind the bridesmaid’s outfits. Two of the bridesmaids, Simon’s cousin Jonquil and my niece Stephanie, had been experimenting freely with various hair colours and Phyllis decided that bonnets were the order of the day. The Laura Ashley dresses and the hats were embellished, by Phyllis, with bows and daisies – much to Jonquil and Steph’s chagrin.
Simon, you were sporting a very youthful look – are you sure you were old enough to get married?
Simon: Yes, I think I was only twelve at the time – obviously, these boyish looks have stayed with me!
Most of us know that your brother Tim can be quite mischievous …
Simon Berry and his mischievous brother, Tim Berry
Simon: It’s quite normal, I suppose, for the grooms-men to organise some kind of prank, but Tim, of course, never does things by half. The back of the wedding car was filled with broken biscuits and there was shaving foam everywhere. Then there was the old ‘kipper on the manifold’ trick as well as an apple pie bed and cling film on the toilet!
Diana: And we probably shouldn’t mention the moony that the grooms-men did on the Low Wood Bay lawns overlooking Lake Windermere.
Diana: It was before the days of +1 Awards for service above and beyond, but I would like to nominate Richard Wareing, the Low Wood Bay night porter at the time. During the night he cleaned and valeted the car so that it was pristine for our departure next morning.
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Wedding Breakfast at The Wild Boar
Simon: The Wild Boar wedding breakfast was very traditional, roast beef with all the trimmings. There wasn’t the choice that we offer today when you can, literally, have whatever you like. Mum made the wedding cake and Dad complained about the cost of the Champagne!
Diana: Michael was still talking about the price of the Champagne over twenty years later, just before he died. He did however, with a twinkle in his eye, admit that I had been worth every penny!
The Honeymoon
Diana: The honeymoon was three weeks in Kenya. Little did we know at that time that this was going to be the place that our youngest son, Elliot, would choose as home and that 32 years later we would be back in Kenya celebrating his wedding to his beautiful Kenyan bride, Metrine.
Weddings at English Lakes
Simon and Diana recreate ‘the kiss’ outside the Church in the village of Grasmere at the wedding of their eldest son, Rob.
Over 32 years may have past since Simon and Diana married here in the heart of the Lake District incorporating all three of our individual Lake District Wedding Venues into their celebrations.
At English Lakes we pride ourselves on our individual service, to ensure your wedding memories a special for many years to come.
Stu and Sam were high school sweethearts. Their first weekend away was in The Lake District and they knew that was where they would one day tie the knot. Here they share some of the romantic steps that led them to that special day in May at The Wild Boar and why food had more than a little influence on their choice!
The Proposal
Stu proposed on Christmas day. He snuck home in secret during the day and set up a trail of Christmas lights throughout the house, finishing at a note stuck to a mirror asking me to ‘turn around’. When I did, he was down on one knee!
The Dress
I saw a beautiful Jenny Packham dress when looking in magazines – it really was The One! You can imagine how disappointed I was when I discovered it had been discontinued. I had numerous other dress fittings but none compared. I was overjoyed when the exact dress turned up on preloved.com – my dream dress came true!
Simple Rustic Florals
Made in Flowers had presented some displays at The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase and we loved the simple, rustic arrangements which suited the style of the venue perfectly. As we got married in May we went for soft pastels and used succulents as buttonholes. We kept the floral theme with the table settings, with simple flower arrangements that didn’t detract from the ambience of the Inn itself.
The Ceremony
Having exclusivity of the venue ensured a much more intimate ceremony than we could’ve hoped for. One of our musician friends composed slow piano versions of rock songs that really suited the style of our wedding. It was very emotional indeed.
The Woods
We both love walking, so The Wild Boar woods was the perfect setting for some fantastic photos. We awoke so early on the day of the wedding that we took a walk through the woods at 6am before anybody was even awake. It was our last moment together as an unmarried couple and one of the most unforgettable moments of the day.
Later on we had a bouncy castle set up secretly at the bottom of the woods and after the drinks reception we led the entire party through the building and we all had a good jump around to build our appetite for the wedding breakfast!
If Food Be the Food of Love…!
The selection of food at The Wild Boar was one of the main reasons we decided on it for our venue. It was a difficult choice but there was something for all tastes on the incredible menu!
Stu and Sam’s Wedding Breakfast Menu
Starter
- Morecambe Bay Shrimps
- Goats Cheese Beetroot Apple Tart
- Walnut Pear Blue Cheese Salad
Main Course
- Smoked Fillet Steak
- Gourmet Burgers
- Chicken with Sweet Potato Wedges
Dessert
- Sticky Toffee Pudding
- Lemon Posset
- Trio of Chocolate
Chutney Favours
Stu made chutneys for all the guests which doubled up as place settings. Spicy Banana Curry for the men and Blueberry Pear and Ginger for the ladies.
Sweet and Savoury Cake
With Sam having a sweet tooth and Stu being big on savoury, we decided on a myriad of homemade cakes dotted around the venue, hand made by one our bridesmaids and Sam’s Mum. The piece de lá resistance was a cheesecake from local company The Cheese Larder. As you can imagine, this went down extremely well with all of the cheese fans in attendance – and was enjoyed for ages after the event as well!
First Dance
Our song is ‘Dig’ by a band called Incubus. We’re both huge fans although hardly anyone has heard of it. The lyrics mean something special to us.
The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase
If you’re planning a wedding and would like to discuss your requirements, come along to The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase on Sunday, 21st February. Emma, our wedding co-ordinator, will be delighted to show you around and introduce you to a whole host of suppliers to bring your dream day one step closer.
Mike and Jill Stocking have become very much part of the Low Wood Bay family throughout the year, but at no time more than at Christmas. We asked them to share a little bit about themselves and what draws them back to Low Wood Bay time after time.
Mike and Jill ready for the Low Wood Christmas masked ball
Mike: Having been born and brought up in South London, I spent the first part of my career in the Metropolitan Police before taking up a position in the Coroner’s Office and eventually serving in the Child Protection Team. When I retired in 2001, Jill and I moved to Tamworth in Staffordshire.
Mike Raising a Glass of Christmas Cheer
Jill: I’m from Kingsbury in North Warwickshire. I worked for 18 years at The Belfry and have been fortunate enough to experience 3 Ryder Cup competitions whilst working at the hotel.
Your first visit to Low Wood Bay?
We first visited Low Wood Bay for Christmas in 2008 with Mike’s cousin and his wife. Over the years since then we have since spent many breaks at the hotel – and 9 Christmases! – because we enjoy it so much.
What does Christmas mean to you?
Christmas means everything, and Low Wood Bay provides everything we need for the festive period. It takes the stress out of all the work involved in doing Christmas at home. No more cooking and washing up! We are looked upon as part of the Low Wood Bay family because of our regular visits. We have met some very nice people, and some have become good friends. It is noticeable that many residents return to Low Wood Bay year on year. This is, in our opinion, a good recommendation for the Hotel.
Good friends made over Christmas at Low Wood Bay
Do you have a favourite Christmas activity?
It is too difficult to single out one activity at the Hotel when so much goes on over the holiday period. For example, we’ve had Santa arriving on water skis on a couple of occasions, Bingo hosted by Nevil, the General Manager, Christmas Night Casino Night, the Christmas Quiz, a boat trip on the Lake on Boxing Day, not forgetting the wonderful food provided by the amazing kitchen team.
Jill wrapped up and enjoying a festive boat trip on Windermere
However, even with all this going on, there is still time to sit and relax, and, of course, partake in the Christmas Cake cut which is distributed on Christmas afternoon. If you are very lucky you can also win a prize for guessing the weight!
The highlight of the break is the themed 5-course Gala Dinner on Boxing Night. There is always something different to surprise us all on this evening.
We are always overwhelmed by the friendly and courteous manner of all members of staff team, without exception.
Alar making sure that Christmas glasses are topped up
What changes to Low Wood Bay have you noticed over the years?
When we originally visited Low Wood Bay for Christmas in 2008 the Hotel was warm and welcoming and it has continued in this vein each time we have stayed.
However, since the refurbishment over the last 18 months the Hotel has changed beyond belief with the work that has been carried out. The Hotel bedrooms have been given a stunning makeover and the addition of the Atrium and the Blue Smoke has given a new dimension to the Hotel. We have yet to experience the new Spa during our stay this Christmas.
Back in 2008 we were given a very warm welcome to Low Wood Bay and that continues to this day. Anyone booking this year for the very first time can be assured of the same warm welcome and they will soon settle in and wonder why they have not chosen to experience Christmas at Low Wood Bay before.
Make Low Wood Bay Part of Your Christmas or New Year Celebration
Taking all the hard work out of Christmas and New Year can be just a conversation away. Call us on 0330 4043 933
Being an integral part of a bride and groom’s wedding day is not something the team at The Wild Boar take for granted. Usually many months of planning have brought them to the ‘I do’ moment. After all the hard work and the joy and emotion of the day, our wedding co-ordinator, Emma, and the team are thrilled when they are able to keep in touch with the happy bride and groom.
Laura and Dean Appleton / Image Splash
Laura and Dean Appleton are one such couple and Laura recently mused on how they first found their perfect wedding venue and what keeps them coming back time and again.
Finding ‘The One’
In September 2013 I found ‘the one’ – that is, the perfect wedding venue! I had already found ‘the one’ perfect husband-to-be! As soon as I stepped through the door, I just knew this was the place where Dean and I would spend the best day of our lives. The rustic, shabby-chic features of a beautiful old inn was where my heart wanted to be on our wedding day. Roll on 11 months later and there we were, with all our family and friends having the most perfect wedding weekend that we could ever have imagined.
I cannot believe that our amazing, perfect day was now over a year ago! We tried our hardest to drag out being a ‘newly married couple’ for as long as we could. We even took our honeymoon 9 months later in Santorini. Dean is an engineer and I am a teacher and we have just recently moved into our first joint home as Mr & Mrs, where we look forward to continuing the adventure of married life is.
Laura and Dean on honeymoon in Santorin
After Your Dream Day
A question that is often asked is, ‘does married life meet your expectations?’ Some people say ‘not really’ and ‘marriage is just a piece of paper’. Our answer is ‘YES, and then some!’ On 22nd August 2014 we became a true team, and that feeling cannot, and will not, ever be beaten.
The Happy couple / Image Splash
The memory of our wedding day at The Wild Boar will struggle to be bettered and to Emma, Adam and the rest of the team a truly huge thank you for all you have done for us! You have an amazing place in the Wild boar, the beautiful setting of the Lakes and the wonderful decor of the inn. However, it is you that really make the Wild boar Inn what it is. You can continue to book us in on the 22nd August for who knows how many years … we will see you then – and any other excuse to visit!
Laura and Deans first dance / Image Splash
We wish Laura and Dean continued happiness and look forward to seeing them next time they are up in the Lake District.
Wedding at The Wild Boar
If you’re planning a wedding and would like to discuss your requirements, come along to The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase on Sunday, 21st February 2016. Emma, our wedding co-ordinator, will be delighted to show you around and introduce you to a whole host of suppliers to bring your dream day one step closer.
Lauren, our Lancaster House Wedding Co-ordinator, is looking forward to meeting lots of bridal parties at Lancaster House Wedding Showcase on Sunday, 28th February.
Every wedding guest waits in anticipation to get their first glimpse of the bride and that all-important Dress! We’ve followed up our Weird and Wonderful Wedding Traditions blog with a look at some interesting facts about wedding attire from years gone by.
In the west we often accept the tradition of a white wedding dress as a staple part of the wedding celebration and assume that it has always been the case.
Not so, the white wedding dress fashion was initially introduced as a protest against the effects of the industrial revolution! Below are a ten interesting facts around wedding attire…
1. The weight of glory …
In medieval times royal marriages were of great political importance and represented alliances between countries. Therefore, it was important to put a nation’s wealth on display and the wedding dress was often an elaborate affair with the most expensive fabrics available.
Dresses were also encrusted with jewels. In the 15th Century, Margaret of Flanders’ dress was so heavily bejewelled she had to be carried into church by two gentlemen attendants.
2. Something borrowed, something blue!
White wedding dresses did not always symbolize purity.
In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty and fidelity. The art world has long time dressed the Virgin Mary in blue, so purity and fidelity became associated with the colour, as evidenced in proverbs like, “Marry in blue, lover be true”.
Today, brides still often wear ‘something blue’.
3. Any colour will do!
White wedding dresses became an emblem of wealth rather than purity as, prior to effective bleaching techniques, white was a difficult colour to achieve and only within the reach of a small minority of brides.
Most brides opted to use the best fabric they could afford of any colour.
4. Seeing Red …
In Chinese, Indian and other eastern cultures brides often wear red or a white-red combination.
In these cultures red symbolizes auspiciousness and good luck.
5. Revival in Hand-made Lace
Queen Victoria made a strong political and social statement with her wedding
dress in 1847. The industrial revolution had destroyed the handmade lace industry causing widespread unemployment and poverty. Victoria chose a handmade Honiton lace overskirt and the rest of the outfit was chosen to complement the lace – and white was deemed the best colour for this. It had the desired effect and caused a upsurge in the demand for handmade lace and brought in the new ‘fashion’ for white wedding dresses.
6. Kate and a snippet of bush
Queen Victoria’s dress featured orange blossoms at the time a sign of purity
and she carried within her bouquet, myrtle signifying love and romantic happiness. A sprig of myrtle was taken from her bouquet and planted. Cuttings from the bush have been carried by every royal bride since and was included in Kate Middleton’s bouquet.
7. Royal Re-cycling
Financial restraints in all walks of life meant that once the wedding dress was worn it was never just consigned to the back of the wardrobe. It was dyed or altered and used over and over.
Even Queen Victoria herself re-cycled her dress by removing the lace overskirt and wearing it over a black silk gown. This is what she wore for her diamond jubilee 50 years later.
8. Parachute Fashion
During World War II clothes rationing came into force and white wedding dresses virtually disappeared.
A few brides made brave attempts at white wedding dresses using parachute silk. Most brides wore their military or air force uniforms.
9. A Royal Dress from a Loyal Populace!
When Queen Elizabeth II, was married in 1947, rationing was still in force after the war.
Nobody wanted her to skimp, so clothing coupons poured in from loyal citizens.
As a result she wore a sumptuous wedding gown in flowing satin embroidered and beaded with a long train and silk net veil.
10. Spot the bride?
Earliest traditions in bridesmaid fashion involved dressing the bridesmaids exactly like the bride.
This was to set up a ‘lookalike’ bride so that any troublesome spirits in the area could not fixate on the bride.
Lancaster House Wedding Showcase
If you are planning your wedding, or even just dreaming about the possibility, come along and meet our Wedding Co-ordinator, Lauren, at Lancaster Wedding Showcase on Sunday 28th February from 12pm till 4pm. Meet the wedding suppliers, taste our exciting new wedding breakfast menu and start imagining what your dream day could look like.
Obviously there are many more than just five reasons to get married at The Wild Boar – but we are a little biased! Anyhow, here’s your starter for five…
1. Perfect Woodland Wedding Setting
72 acres of beautiful semi ancient woodland – and we provide the wellies! An idyllic place for your wedding shoot – overlooking the picturesque tarn, amidst the wild flowers or one of our rustic benches. For a more adventurous pre-wedding challenge, try the Wild Gym obstacle course in the heart of the woods, testing your strength, agility and stamina! Fun-loving Stu and Sam brought along a bouncy castle so that guests could work up an appetite.
Escape to The Wild Boar Private Woodland for intimate photography opportunities
Start married life with a bang in The Wild Boar Woods / Rachel Hayton Photography
Plenty to do for the big kids in The Wild Boar Woods / Fusion Photo
2. Candles and Cosyness!
A few of our favourite things – snuggling up with a loved one in front of a roaring log fire, traditional beamed ceilings, twinkling candle-light, a single malt before bedtime, a mug of steaming hot chocolate, feeling part of the family. The Wild Boar delivers a unique ambience that ticks all the boxes.
Transform The Wild Boar with your own style /James Jebson
Colourful table decoration / Rachel Hayton
Log fire, candles, slate and beams in The Wild Boar’s new intimate Undermillbeck
3. A Lavish Larder
None of your fixed menu malarkey here! Chef and his team will craft your wedding breakfast around your heart’s desire – whether that’s locally sourced steak, gourmet burgers, fish and chips, or whatever you fancy. As part of your wedding planning you will be invited to a menu tasting so you can choose up to three dishes per course.
Wild Boar Wedding canapés / James Jebson
Steak from The Wild Boat Smokehouse & Grill / James Jebson
Sticky Toffee Pudding / Hayley Baxter Photography
4. Quirky Bespoke Bedrooms
Each room has its own quirky design – you might find a vintage style copper bath at the bottom of your bed, a cast iron wood burner or walk-out balcony! The paint is barely dry on our stunning new Overmillbeck Suite – perfect for honeymoon couples. Wedding Co-ordinator, Emma, will take you for a tour so you can take your pick.
The Overmillbeck Bridal Suite at The Wild Boar
Luxury Individually Styled Bedrooms at The Wild Boar
Large Copper Baths at The Wild Boar to relax before your big day
5. There’s a Special Wedding Brewing
We make our own beer here at the Wild Boar, so why not make your own special wedding brew to impress your guests. Our Master Brewer, Tim, will take you through your paces. We even have Mr and Mrs aprons so you look the part too! Get creative and name your beer.
An alternative drinks reception from The Wild Boar Brewhouse / Rachel Hayton
Janine and Earl making their very own Brew with The Wild Boar Master Brewer
Name your own Beer from The Wild Boar Brewhouse / Rachel Hayton
The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase
If you’re planning a wedding and would like to discuss your requirements, come along to The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase on Sunday, 21st February. Emma, our wedding co-ordinator, will be delighted to show you around and introduce you to a whole host of suppliers to bring your dream day one step closer.
