Planning a weekend getaway to Cartmel Village in Cumbria? This is my guide to the top things to do, where to stay, and where to eat in Cartmel.
The Medieval village of Cartmel has a rich heritage, activities for visitors, and a thriving food scene to enjoy. Whether you’re planning a weekend or overnight stay, I share my best finds and practical tips for a memorable trip!
40th Birthday Celebrations!
This overnight break in Cumbria, just outside the Lake District National Park, was a surprise trip for my big birthday! My amazing cousin organised and planned the whole weekend, and managed to keep it all a huge secret right until the morning we set off. A few weeks before, I received a cryptic invitation card in the post telling me to ‘pack for all weather and something smart/casual for dinner’. So if that doesn’t ignite your curiosity, whatever will?!!
I absolutely loved the whole weekend so the list below is in no way a ranking, but a personal list of highlights and treasured memories…
1. Where we stayed
L’Enclume – famous for its three Michelin-starred restaurants also has lovely bed and breakfast accommodation in Cartmel Village within short walking distance of their restaurant. They have the option of double rooms or suites, which breakfast at their one Michelin-starred neighbourhood restaurant Rogan & Co. in the morning, and you are guaranteed a table at L’Enclume in the evening. They also have the option for a ‘stay and dine’ at Rogan & Co.
The room was beautifully decorated, understated, and classic. Special attention was paid to preserving original features and spotlighting local crafts from the woodwork to the furniture and the toiletries.
2. L’Enclume
We dined at the three Michelin-starred restaurant headed by Simon Rogan, and what an experience it was! I don’t regularly dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, but if I could more often then I would. I am totally here for the experience and to savor every bite.
I’m going to write another post specifically for L’Enclume so I won’t say too much here. But what I do want to share with you is that it is worth it! For me, it was a special birthday treat and truly a memorable experience that I will talk about with fellow foodies for years to come. In the meantime here are the desserts described on the menu as ‘Marigold, sack, verbena, mint stones’.
3. Cartmel Village and The Priory
Cartmel village is very easily walkable and there is a variety of activities and places to spend time depending on what floats your boat.
We arrived mid-morning so stopped into a cute tea room to get a brunch of homemade scones and tea. There are several cafes and pubs in the village to choose from, each with their unique menus showcasing British classic foods.
Our post-brunch wander around the village took us to the cute Cartmel Village Hall where a craft market was taking place. The stalls were a mixture of handmade cards from upcycling old materials to traditional wooden children’s games and hand-thrown pottery. I picked up a deck of playing cards in the theme of the Fungi Kingdom (I’m obsessed!) and then it was time for check-in!
Another highlight on our village walks that weekend included a gander around the famous Cartmel Priory.
People from all around the world make pilgrimages to the Priory for prayer and worship. Unfortunately, the church had closed to the public when we were there so we couldn’t go inside but we did have to look at all the old tombstones in the surrounding cemetery and try to find the oldest one. A place of legends, myths, and stories, the Priory has a history and heritage dating back 680 AD and is a fine example of stunning architecture with renovations taking place over the centuries.
4. Massage
After checking in to our accommodation, we headed to Park Lane Cartmel, a day spa and beauty salon, for a relaxing massage. The therapists were so friendly and professional and gave wonderful massages tailored to our little niggles and knots. No photos to share but I would highly recommend visiting the salon if you are looking for a way to wind down in an instant!
5. Segway Tour
There is a choice of outdoor activities in Cartmel, from easy walking trails along the river to Segway with Lakeland Segway. I cannot tell you how much fun this was as I’d never tried this before. The company is based at the village car park where there is a practice area so you can learn the basic maneuvers and build your confidence before your group goes off into the surrounding fields and woodlands to enjoy the village sites in tandem.
Full training is given by the experienced group leaders and is very suited to beginners of a nervous disposition! This was a totally new experience for me but within minutes I was going backward at pace (they tell you not to do that!)
6. L’Enclume Farm
We almost missed out on this experience, so make sure you don’t! A visit to L’Enclume’s Farm. Our Farm, located 1 mile away from the village and is a real highlight of this Cartmel weekend. It’s an option for anyone who dines in the restaurant and you get a farm tour with the passionate Farm Manager, John, who works cosley with Simon Rogan to plan the growing seasons with the restaurant in mind. As someone that has worked on an urban farm and is passionate about growing, I cannot tell you how special this experience was for me.
Our Farm’s concept is to “strengthen the link between our food, its development and the environment, and to further develop the relationship between cooking and growing”. Exactly the ethos behind the community food-growing projects we find across the UK.
Their year-round growing methods allow them the flexibility and productivity needed to ensure that their restaurant kitchens have locally produced and easily accessible produce that the chefs also take part in farming themselves. John explained to us that by growing everything themselves, they have better more control over the ingredients they use and are less vulnerable to any supply chain issue.
For anyone interested in growing food, this is a must-do activity. I also left with a little piece of the farm to take home when I plucked up the courage to ask John for some of their homegrown Japanese mint to grow in my garden! A souvenir that money can’t buy and one enjoyed for many years to come…
7. Where to Park
Parking was easy and very close to the center of the village. Parking in the village can be found by several bays directly outside the Priory, and by a large serviced pay and display car park on the edge of the Racecourse.
Finals words
If quaint English villages with good food and fun activities are your thing, go to Cartmel! Combine it with a longer visit to the neighbouring Lake District National Park or for a short break. There is still plenty more to explore that I haven’t written about in this post but that just means you need to go and see it for yourself. Last tip I’m going to leave you with, don’t forget to pick up a sticky toffee pudding from the village shop before you leave. You’re welcome!
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