Learn to bake, garden or dry stone wall in the picturesque setting of the Lake District National Park

The Castle Inn Hotel near Bassenthwaite in the Lake District is launching a range of new 'experiential' breaks for 2014 including cookery courses and gardening holidays.

Bread making in the Lakes

First to launch are bread making courses with the hotel's in-house baker.  Participants will have an opportunity to learn to make a variety of breads including classic rustic loaves, foccacia and rolls. The half-day courses teach participants about mixing and kneeding dough, proving and rising bread to make sure they reach the best potential and different methods of cooking depending on the crust preferred.  Each course includes all materials and guests will get to enjoy their bread with a bowl of homemade soup at the end of the course.

Creating colourful gardens

From spring 2014 the hotel is also launching gardening courses.  The half-day courses will teach participants about plants which are suitable for UK weather, where to plant garden favourites (sun or shade), how to maintain year round colour in a garden and creating pretty garden borders by mixing and matching plants and flowers.  All participants will be given a plant to place somewhere in the extensive gardens at the hotel, leaving a lifelong legacy for future visitors to enjoy.  Subject to participant interest the gardening courses will also include an introduction to dry stone walling.

The courses each cost from £134.50 per person.  The price includes two nights accommodation, breakfast on both mornings, dinner on the first night and everything as outlined above.  Each course takes place over two days and takes around 1 to 1.5 hours per day. 

The Castle Inn Hotel is located in a picturesque valley near the popular Lake District town of Keswick.  The hotel offers spacious accommodation with a range of extensive facilities for guests' use including a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room, gym, games room, lounge areas, fine dining restaurant and bar.

Course dates commence on Fridays as follows:

7 February - bread making

4 April - gardening

4 July - gardening

11 July - bread making

7 November - bread making

For more information and reservations visit www.castleinncumbria.co.uk or call 017687 76401

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For media information please contact Samantha Marsh at Infinity Public Relations on 07711 265666 or email Samantha@infinitypublicrelations.co.uk