Christmas in the Peak District

If you are staying with us at Losehill House this December, you should take the chance to enjoy the Christmas cheer on offer in the Peak District! Here's our recommendations for upcoming events in the local area.
 

Christmas Tree Extravaganza

Until 20th December
Monday - Saturday: 11am to 5pm
Sunday: 12.30pm to 5pm
All Saints Church, Bakewell

To get yourself in the festive spirit, take a trip to Bakewell for the Christmas Tree Festival at Bakewell Parish Church! The trees are decorated beautifully and are bound to get you excited for Christmas. Click on the link for more information.
 

Art and Shopping

Until January 2nd
Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays: 11am to 4pm
The Old Station gallery, Matlock

Need to do some Christmas shopping? The Old Station Gallery is putting on a Christmas Show in the Peak Shopping Village – why not enjoy a little art as you tick presents off your list? The Old Station Gallery will be exhibiting the works of 8 talented artists. Click on the link for more information.
 

Exotic December Fun

Until January 2nd
Performance times vary
The Buxton Opera House

Turbo charge your flying carpet and go see Aladdin at the Buxton Opera House! This fun production would be the perfect break in your busy December schedule, filled with talented performers, bright colours and beautiful music. Click on the link for more information.
 

No Christmas is Complete Without Dickens

Monday 21st - Tuesday 22nd December
12pm to 2pm / 3pm to 5pm
Sudbury Hall

Ebenezer Scrooge is taking up residence in Sudbury Hall this Christmas, at least for a few days. Go along to Sudbury Hall’s themed tour and enjoy The Lost Boys theatrical group’s performance of the classic Dickens tale 'A Christmas Carol'. Click on the link for more information.

 

Recommended Winter Walks

If you are staying at Losehill House over the next few weeks, or if you simply plan to spend some time in the Peak District, we can recommend some fantastic wintery walks for you that are all an easy distance from the hotel.

Be sure to pack your walking boots, your raincoat and a good map. Be sure to stop by at the hotel once you’re finished for some well-earned relaxation!
 

Stanage Edge

A 6.5 mile walk beginning in Hathersage, this takes you through some utterly beautiful locations. Pass through country tracks up to Stanage Edge – there will almost certainly be some rock climbers out, and you may want to have a go yourself! The walk returns to Hathersage along countryside lanes. More info.


Ridge Walk: Mam Tor to Losehill

Despite being very elevated, this walk is fairly easy – so it’s a great way to take in the incredible views while still enjoying a leisurely stroll. 5 miles long, this walk takes you over and beyond one of the Peak District’s most recognisable hills, Mam Tor. It starts at the National Trust’s Mam Nick car park and finished at Lose Hill, very close to our hotel. More info.
 

Ladybower Reservoir and Derwent Edge

With a length of over 10 miles and plenty of climbing, this walk is more advanced than the previous two listed, but well worth the effort! The trail takes you alongside the reservoir and through lush woodland, up onto the moor tops which are populated by historical cairns and fascinating geological structures. The walk begins at Cut Throat Bridge so we recommend you drive. Once you arrive back at the hotel, be sure to treat yourself to well-earned dip in our hot tub to thaw out! More info.

Featured Break: Winter Spa Special

The year is slowly drawing to a close and we can feel the chilly temperatures creeping up on us. Thankfully we have the perfect antidote to the long, dark nights.

Our Featured Break is our Winter Spa Special, valid between 2nd November 2015 and 31st March 2015. This is a luxurious offer designed to give our guests a rejuvenating and comforting break away from damp days and cold nights. We can especially recommend it during January and February, where you might need a bit of quiet time after the busy Christmas season.

The offer includes one night in a King’s Room, with dinner in the Orangery Restaurant and a full Derbyshire Breakfast the next morning. Use of our pool, sauna and hot-tub are, of course, included – with £50 per person of spa treatments (max time 1 hour)

At only £125 per person during the winter season, this is an excellent value offer which gives you a full taste of our facilities at Losehill House.
 

Recommended Spa Treatments

Winter is a tough time on the skin; you may feel tired and worn out. We can really recommend the ‘Thalgo Personalised Facial’ which is tailor made to suite your skin’s individual needs. (£60, 1 hour)

If the cold weather has left your nails brittle and your hands dry, we can recommend you the ‘ESPA Holistic Hand & Nail Treatment.’ This advanced manicure includes gentle exfoliation and a therapeutic aromatherapy massage. (£55, 1 hour 10 mins)

Or you may prefer to sample one of our deeply relaxing massages – please check our full list of treatments here. The ‘Tension Relief Massage’ (£60, 1 hour) is especially good at refreshing your body after a stressful period!

Terms / Restrictions

Single supplement £35
Saturday supplement £50

This offer excludes the Christmas and New Year period: 23rd December – 7th January

Please call 01433 621219 for reservations.



5 Reasons to Spend Christmas at Losehill House

Can you believe it's now just over six weeks until Christmas? Here's five reasons why spending it with us is an unforgettable experience...

1. A Spectacular Wintery Outlook

There’s nothing better than waking up on Christmas morning and looking out of the window to see the countryside glittering with frost. With our position high up in the Peaks, a silvery festive season is almost guaranteed – and we’re especially looking forwards to it with this year’s promise of a snow-filled winter.

2. A Secluded Space

Christmas can so often feel a bit hectic, so if you want to escape some of the season's hustle and bustle, our tranquil environment and secluded location is ideal. With only 23 bedrooms, you can be sure that our hotel won't feel crowded. It's the perfect place to enjoy a quiet, peaceful day with your loved ones.

3. The Perfect Location for Christmas Walks

With our location in the heart of the Peak District, you can step out of the hotel doors and straight into the surrounding countryside for a Christmas stroll. It’s something of a tradition here to take part in a bracing climb to the summit of Lose Hill – a great way to work up an appetite for lunch, or to let off a bit of steam in the afternoon! Alternatively, you can stroll through our grounds or up to one of the nearby picturesque villages.

4. Indulgent Spa Experiences

Now this is something that you really can’t experience at home – throughout the festive period, our spa will be open as usual, offering our revitalising and luxurious range of treatments. There’s nothing more satisfying than a long, leisurely dip in our heated pool after a brisk walk in the fresh air. And it's essential to have at least go in our outdoor hot tub... this really is the best time of year to try it!

5. Festive Food like you’ve never had!

Should you stay with us for Christmas Eve, we serve a festive afternoon tea on arrival, with a heart-warming glass of mulled wine to go with it. Then you can enjoy a welcome reception of Kir Royale and canapés  before dinner, while our regular pianist accompanies with a repertoire of Christmas tunes.

Christmas morning begins with the ultimate luxury - a champagne breakfast! As is to be expected, our four course Christmas Lunch is a leisurely and sumptuous affair, commencing with a champagne reception. As evening rolls in, you might start to feel a little peckish - thankfully we put on an informal buffet, with a range of hot and cold dishes.

Boxing Day kicks off with a gentle Losehill brunch, then the day is free to spend as you choose. No Boxing Day is complete without turkey sandwiches, and we can provide you with a packed lunch if you wish to explore outside! Finally, it's time to dress up and indulge once again for our Black Tie sumptuous 4 course dinner, where we'll be accompanied by the fantastic Duffy Brothers. Don’t forget to leave room for coffee and mince pies!

Find out more about our Christmas experiences...

Autumn Dishes 2015

Autumn is certainly in full swing here at Losehill House – we’re waking up to morning mists falling over the surrounding hills, and the trees in our grounds are looking beautiful with their red and gold leaves. The season has also had an effect on our a-la-carte menu, which changes daily depending on what’s available at our local markets.

We’re currently creating lots of hearty, warming dishes using seasonal vegetables such as squash and celeriac. Look out for hare on our menu too – with a unique earthy, ‘wild’ taste, this is the perfect accompaniment to the colder weather.

Left to right:

  1. Goosnargh duck, cavolo nero, trompettes, spaghetti squash, broccoli

  2. Saddle and braised shoulder of hare, celeriac, beets, cavolo nero, mustard and cocoa nib

  3. Lamb cutlets, Rosemary and oat crust, pressed shoulder, hotpot croquette yellison goats curd, red cabbage puree

  4. Hake, black quinoa, shrimps, dashi jelly, wild rice, coriander

  5. Salt baked celeriac, chick pea, girolles, parsley

  6. Dover sole, quinoa, shrimps, sorre

Halloween in the Peak District

If you’re staying with us at Losehill House in the coming weeks, there are some fantastic events taking place in our local area to celebrate Halloween. We’ve selected our top picks:
 

Halloween Spooktacular

Would you like to carve pumpkin lanterns or make spooky craft? The Chestnut Centre are inviting you to join them in some spooktacular fun from 1pm – 4pm every day during half term. On Friday 30th at 4pm a guide will take all visitors for a spooky walk in the park… any ghosts will surely be scared away by your glowing lantern!

Chestnut Centre Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park
26th – 31st October
Call 01298 814099 to book or for more information

 

Liquid Light Exhibition

Liquid Light is an exhibition of images by local photographer Michela Griffith. Griffith has spent a lot of time over the last three years looking at the River Dove in the Peak District, and the end result is this exhibition at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery. The artist herself will be there on the 31st October from 2pm – 4pm.

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery
12th September – 14th November
Click here for more information

 

Antique and Collectors Fair

Do you enjoy antiques? The Pavilion Gardens in Buxton will be hosting an antiques and collectors fair on 31st October from 9am to 5pm, promising beautiful antiques and a lovely atmosphere.

The Pavilion Gardens Buxton
31st October
Click here for more information

A selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes...

Each year, October 1st marks the kick-off of Vegetarian Awareness Month throughout the world. This is a month for vegetarians to spread awareness about their lifestyle, and for non-vegetarians to have a go at giving up meat for one month (or simply reduce their intake.)

At Losehill House, we're always sure to have a choice of creative vegetarian options on the menu. We also regularly experiment with vegan options, which go down a treat! Whether you're a devout veggie or not, we can really recommend trying a vegetarian main course. Many of our vegetables are grown here in our garden, so they're as fresh and flavoursome as you can get.
 

some of our vegetarian/Vegan Creations

From left to right, top to bottom:

  1. Pea, asparagus and pearl barley

  2. Baby pumpkin, dovedale blue soufflé, Autumn vegetables and artichoke reduction

  3. BBQ Losehill radicchio, apples, celery and chive

  4. Beetroot, pearl barley, butterut squash, watercress, grilled leek

  5. Celeriac 'risotto', smoked artichoke dumplings, baby globe artichoke, truffle dressing

  6. Crispy egg, cauliflower 'risotto', artichoke, spinach and parsley

The Tour De Britain Passes Losehill House!

On Friday, we were lucky enough to have the UK's largest cycling race pass by us at the hotel.

The cycling enthusiasts among you recognise this as the Tour of Britain, which had its 6th stage on Friday 11th. This stage totalled 192.8km, and amounted to a gruelling 3,453 metres in ascent. The route started in Stoke-on-Trent and rose up through to Buxton and the Peak District to descend into Nottingham.

Here’s a map of their journey:

Before reaching Hathersage, the tour passed through Castleton and Hope. This meant that their route took them only a few hundred metres from our hotel!

Waiting for the Tour de Britain at Winnats Pass

Waiting for the Tour de Britain at Winnats Pass

Waiting for Cyclists at Winnats Pass near Losehill House

Waiting for Cyclists at Winnats Pass near Losehill House

We knew the riders were scheduled to be passing us around lunchtime, so we went out to wait for them and managed to take this footage of the frontrunners zipping through Winnats Pass. Watching them take on the Peak District scenery at such high speeds was truly a sight to behold!

Though the riders passed through in a matter of seconds, the whole area was alive with people celebrating their passion for cycling and the Peaks alike. A fantastic day all in all!

Cyclists passing through Hope

Cyclists passing through Hope

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Last Minute Break - Midweek Deals

Enjoy the last few weeks of summer and spend some time in the Peak District. We are offering some fantastic last minute midweek deals this week and the next with up to a 30% discount on overnight stays. Available 24th - 28th August and 1st - 4th September. 

Just call us on 01433 621219 for more information or to book.

It's Afternoon Tea Week

It's National Afternoon Tea Week from 10th - 16th August. This is a week to celebrate the great heritage of afternoon tea in the UK!

 
afternoonteaweek
 

At Losehill House, we're proud to deliver an afternoon tea of exceptional quality to our guests. Our offering includes:

  • A traditional selection of finger sandwiches, served on white and brown bread, to include smoked salmon, Bennets' Hope Valley free range egg with mayonnaise, cucumber and Peak District ham and mustard.

  • Warm, freshly baked scones with whipped cream and strawberry jam.

  • A selection of seasonal home-made cakes.

Our afternoon tea is served between 12:30pm and 5:00pm, and from 2:30pm on Sundays. If you'd like to enjoy a delicious platter of traditional bakes, while looking out on panoramic view of the Peak District, get in touch to book an Afternoon Tea with us.

 
afternoontea
 

National Parks Week

This week is National Parks Week, from 27th July until 2nd August. It is "the National Parks family's annual celebration of everything that is unique and wonderful about Britain's breathing spaces".

This year's theme is Landscapes Of Plenty, an "an acknowledgement of the fact the UK's National Parks are more than just places to play and find inspiration".

The week is a chance for us all to shout about the great things that our National Park, the Peak District, houses. As well as featuring beautiful landscapes, from moors to peaks, the Peak District has plenty of activities and sightseeing opportunities on offer. Take a look at the Visit Peak District website for some ideas and to plan your next visit.

ELLE UK Photoshoot at Losehill House

Last week, with Visit Peak District, we had the pleasure of hosting a team from ELLE UK for their photoshoot. The ELLE team had planned an early morning shoot, making use of the wonderful Peak District scenery, to showcase items by Barbour. 

 
Image from Instagram, by @ELLEUK

Image from Instagram, by @ELLEUK

 

Whilst staying with us the team enjoyed exploring what we offer at Losehill House, with our terrace hot tub a particularly well-received feature! 

 
elle instagram
 

You can see the shoot in their October issue. 

I DO Wedding Fair

We're very excited to be standing at the Sheffield I DO Wedding Fair on Sunday 6th September this year. I DO Wedding Fairs are the UK’s biggest one-day wedding exhibition, with the Sheffield event hosting over 140 of the finest local wedding suppliers.

Here's what to expect...

“It really will be a day of pure wedding bliss; starting with a bubbly reception and goodie bags full of freebies, there will be amazing Milan-style catwalk shows, a host of live entertainment from magicians to musicians, a wedding car display featuring Classic, Vintage, Modern and Prestige vehicles, plus competitions, special offers and so much more!”

If you’d like to visit the show and have a chat with us about your 2016 wedding, get in touch by emailing info@losehillhouse.co.uk as we have 10 free tickets to give away! 

weddingfair

Summer Dishes 2015

Our a la carte menu changes daily, with a choice of 6 dishes for your main course. See below for some of our popular dishes this summer.

summerdishes

Top Left: Cauliflower Polonaise

Top Middle: Brill, Crab and Fennel

Top Right: Bream with Samphire, Shrimps and Peas

Bottom Left: Brill and Crab with Fennel Beurre Blanc and Wild Asparagus.

Bottom Middle: Rump and Shoulder of Kid Goat, Wild Garlic Gnocchi and Barbecued Aubergine Purée

Bottom Right: Halibut with Wild Garlic Chicken Wing Kiev, Sorrel and Samphire.

Well Dressings 2015

Well dressing season is upon us again. Well Dressing is a wonderful Peak District and Derbyshire tradition where the local villages decorate their wells and springs are with natural materials each year. A list of the various well dressing locations can be found on the Visit Peak District website here.

You can also visit a 'Well in the Making' event. here you can 'learn the secrets of everything from puddling to petalling'.


Images of the Handsome Bike Race

This weekend saw 'the most handsome festival in the world' come to the Peak District. Here are a few snippets of the Eroica Britannia weekend...

ESPA Products

In our spa we use Thalgo's range of expert marine products and ESPA's luxurious natural skincare products.

We have a wide range of these products available for sale in our reception, with a 'tester bar' for your convenience. Next time you visit us, do take a moment to browse through the collection.

 
espa
 

Losehill House Hotel & Spa, Losehill Lane, Edale Road, S33 6AF

01433 621 219         info@losehillhouse.co.uk

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