I’ll never forget the drive up to Peak View in the Lake District – a proper British road trip that started with me forgetting to fill up the petrol tank in Penrith, leaving us sputtering into the nearest garage like a scene from a Carry On film. “Dad, are we walking now?” my youngest piped up from the back seat, her face pressed against the window as the fells loomed ahead. With the car refuelled and snacks hastily grabbed (crisps and a dodgy pasty for the win), we wound our way along those narrow lanes towards this little gem of a lodge, just a stone’s throw from the action near Ullswater. It was our first family getaway in ages, a three-day jaunt to soak up some proper Lake District magic, and from the off, it felt like the perfect spot for some low-key lodge life.

Pulling up to Peak View around teatime on that drizzly Friday, I was chuffed to bits. Tucked into a peaceful holiday park vibe, it’s one of those cosy lodges that screams “relax and forget the world.” The wooden exterior with its pitched roof and those big windows promising epic views – peak views, geddit? – had us grinning before we’d even unpacked. We tumbled out of the car, kids racing ahead while I wrestled with the keycode like a man who’d never used a keypad before. Inside, it was all we’d hoped: compact but spot-on for a family of four, with a snug open-plan living area that smelled faintly of fresh pine and last guest’s fry-up. The kitchenette was kitted out with everything from a toaster to a slow cooker – ideal for knocking up beans on toast when jet lag from the M6 hits.

First impressions? Blimey, the views stole the show. Those floor-to-ceiling windows framed the fells rolling down to Ullswater like a postcard come to life. We dumped the bags and piled onto the sofa, mugs of tea in hand, watching a heron skim the lake in the distance. “This is posh camping,” my wife laughed, as the kids immediately commandeered the table for an impromptu card game tournament. Chaos ensued when my eldest knocked over a glass of squash, turning the rug into a sticky crime scene – classic lodge life, innit? Mops and giggles sorted it, and soon we were out on the deck, breathing in that crisp Cumbrian air. The sun dipped low, painting the water gold, and for a moment, it was pure bliss. No Wi-Fi signal worth shouting about, which was a blessing in disguise – forced us to chat instead of scroll.

That first evening set the tone for our relaxed break. We ambled down to the lake’s edge, just a short stroll away, skimming stones and dodging the odd sheep who’d wandered in for a nosy. The kids splashed about in the shallows, shrieking as the cold water bit, while I pretended to be a pro fisherman with a stick. Back at the lodge, dinner was a no-fuss affair: pasta from the cupboards, washed down with local ale I’d nabbed from the park shop. As night fell, we cranked up the electric fire, played charades (my impression of a grumpy fell pony had them in stitches), and crashed out in the comfy bunks. Lying there, listening to the faint hoot of an owl, I had one of those gentle moments of reflection – how often do we chase big adventures when it’s these simple pleasures, the shared laughs amid the little mishaps, that recharge the batteries? Peak View nailed it from the get-go: unpretentious, scenic, and just chaotic enough to feel like home. If you’re after a family bolt-hole near Ullswater, this is your spot – we were already plotting a return before breakfast.