Escape to a lodge in the Peak District

Although the month of January is praised for being the opportunity for new beginnings, there is no doubt that it is also one of the most challenging months of the year in the UK. It is the coldest month, Christmas cheer is a thing of the past, and the reality of a new year begins to sink in. This makes it the perfect time to get away! Some would argue that seeking out winter sun is the best thing to do, but I prefer to get warm and cosy in a hot tub in the Peak District.

We stayed at the Landal Darwin Forest Park set in the beautiful Derbyshire Peak District near a town called Matlock. The holiday park has a range of lodges to choose from, some with hot tubs and saunas, and conveniently, a pet friendly collection too. The location provides easy access to the Peak District National Park, as well as Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall, two historical landmarks in the area.

As we were driving to the lodges, it began to snow. Upon arrival our lodge was therefore picture perfect, and it just added to the already cosy appeal of the lodge, with its stove, and wooden interior. It also made the hot tub and sauna that bit more appealing. The drive however was very stressful with many hills and with only a two-wheel drive car, we were lucky to make it at all! The staff made sure we felt very welcomed, and pointed us in the direction of the on-site shop to buy some drinks for the night.

The next morning we were woken up by heavy rain showers, and majority of the snow had cleared over night. We decided to go for a morning walk and explore the resort on foot, as there are a few trails through the nearby woodlands. This was a great way to wake up, no working or stressing about daily life. Just walking through nature with all of its sights and sounds. We did a loop that brought us back to our lodge, had a quick shower and sauna, then made breakfast before heading out for the day.

The Landal Darwin Forest park also has an onsite restaurant, a children's play area, mini golf, as well as a fully equipped spa and gym. The restaurant was unfortunately closed when we visited, as it was not long after Covid restrictions had been lifted. It was far too cold for mini golf! So the only onsite facilities we took advantage of were the gym and the shop. We like to keep active even on holiday, so a gym is always a welcome facility for us. The shop has all of the essentials, such as tooth paste and milk, however, if you plan to cook here most nights, you will need to go to a larger supermarket to find everything you'll need. There is a Sainsburys, Morrisons, and M&S Foodhall nearby in Matlock.

Having the option to cook at the lodge was a big plus for us, especially as restaurants nearby are few and far between. We also didn't want to go out and brave the cold every morning and night. The kitchen facilities were great, we had an oven/grill/hob, a microwave, dishwasher, and all cooking equipment was provided such as pots, pans, utensils, and tableware.

The highlight of the lodge for me was the outdoor hot tub and indoor sauna. We were in the hot tub for about an hour on all 3 days. It was a lovely way to wind down for the day before venturing out for dinner. The hot tub temperature and chemicals were checked every morning by staff to ensure that there were no issues. The sauna had to be turned on an hour before use to reach the correct temperature. We would heat it up while we were outside so that we could jump straight in after the hot tub. Everything worked perfectly!

If you are sat wondering how to make January feel shorter in the UK, book a long weekend in the Peak District. You won't regret it.