Date Night @ The Malabar - Cumbria

Let this be the first of many.

I don’t know how or why we got there, I guess the days and weeks and months just went by so quickly.

Back in September, on route to our best friends wedding, Col and I found ourselves child free, on a plane to Italy. I’ll no doubt be riddled with guilt for saying this, but it felt Amazing. We suddenly realised that this NEVER HAPPENS.

All those early years of it just being the two of us, the impromptu dinners out by candlelight, the holidays spent laying on a sun lounger drinking prosecco, just enjoying each other’s company.

Those days had well and truly gone, despite our best efforts, and the promises we made before Ollie arrived. We’d totally abandoned our precious date nights!

It felt SO GOOD to be on an adventure together, to hold hands without a little person hanging off us, to share desert, to while away the day and night chatting, exploring. Sometimes just sitting together in silence, it was just us, so perfectly relaxing.

All those feelings of our early years came flooding back, the butterflies when I was getting dressed up in the evenings, spritzing a fragrance I know is his favourite and donning a dress he hasn’t yet seen me in.

It was only 4 days, and admittedly, we spent the majority of our time chatting about the boys, missing them, face-timing them. But still, we were together, alone, and it was everything we needed.

On that holiday we made each other a promise, we would never let the months pass us by again. No matter how busy life gets, we would schedule in that night, just one night in 30, that was only for us.

We promised to take it in turns, to plan ahead and to treat ourselves to a night away, somewhere really lovely where we can soak each other up for 24 hours.

So that leads me on to post 1, of what I hope will be a series of posts listing some of our favourite ‘Date Night Escapes’ that we’ve found and loved.

So November was my choice, and I think I’ve found a winner. If you think that luxury boutique award winners are all buried in the beauty of the Cotswolds, guess again.

I was so delighted when I stumbled upon the beautiful new Northern retreat, The Malabar . Buried in the beauty of the Cumbrian countryside, only 30 mins from the city of Leeds.

The Malabar is a lovingly restored 18th century barn, with an unusual and special twist. Six large restful bedrooms, with everything you’d expect from a Mr and Mrs Smith approved hotel.

Chunky luxurious beds and pure wool bedding, roll top baths, enormous walk in showers and of course unspoilt views of the surrounding countryside all around.

The Malabar is without doubt one of the most peaceful retreats we’ve ever had. After driving through the STUNNING Cumbrian countryside and the pretty nearby village of
Sedbergh, you’ll know you’ve hit the jackpot the moment you pull into the large gravel driveway.

We were welcomed by owners Fiona and Graham and offered what can only be described as the most special cup of tea I’ve ever tasted. Before you mock me for getting excited about a brew, here’s why….

Graham and Fiona Lappin moved to Sedbergh from Mumbai in 2015 having bought Garths Farm the year before when the idea of a “project” in a location like this was too good to pass up.

Fiona has hospitality in her blood (and my goodness you can tell) having grown up in hotels where her father was a general manager:

Graham grew up in the southern Indian state of Kerala where his father and grandfather were tea Planters. He’s brought this passion for tea blending back to the UK and The Malabar offer a House Blend along with 11 other gorgeous teas.

This magical combination, and perfect partnership has created a wonderfully luxurious, welcoming and romantic escape… with a unique Indian twist.

Fiona and Graham really are the most natural and genuine hosts. They live in the farmhouse opposite The Malabar with their two children, four cats and two dogs (who have also travelled far and wide), and quite a few (local) chickens.

So after settling down for a delicious cup of tea in the room, Colin and Ollie set off exploring the grounds (and meeting the adorable family dogs). Meanwhile, I prepared for the a real treat…an in-room full body massage, which turned out to be the best massage I’ve ever had!

Fiona helped arrange this when we booked the weekend, and I’m so so glad we did it.

Therapist Yvonne has a wealth of experience and actually specialises in Maternity massage. She used all Neals Yard products (anyone who knows me knows this are my favourite) including diffusing a blend of pregnancy-kind essential oils. She transformed the room into a peaceful oasis.

She set the bed up in front of the large window that overlooks the rolling Cumbrian hills. It was such a beautiful autumn day and the sun was setting, simply heaven.

Yvonne is a fountain of essential oil knowledge, I really wish I’d had more time with her to ask her the million questions I have about oils. She does have a Neals Yard website though and was happy for me to share this with you all should you want to ask any questions at all. It’s just HERE.

After an hour of pampering, I felt both relaxed and energised, and I smelled amazing (if I do say so myself!!). I padded about in the big fluffy robe for a while, before getting dressed and meeting the boys in front of the fire in the dining room for afternoon tea.

This is just another lovely addition to a stay at The Malabar. The dining room is straight off the kitchen where you’ll see Graham cooking away. The smell of pastry and freshly baked bread fills the room, and the taste is even better.

We explored the gardens and other parts of the hotel some more, before returning to our room for dinner preparations.

The baths and showers are enormous, and generous large bottles and jars of Bath House toiletries (a gorgeous local cosmetic brand) are at your disposal. I bathed in Lemon grass bubbles and slathered on some matching body cream, it was delicious.

Fiona had recommended a lovely little restaurant in nearby Sedbergh, just a short 5 min drive from the hotel. I’m designated driver for 9 months but another couple we met said it was only £10 return in a cab.

It was a freezing cold evening, and The Three Hares was busy warm and cosy. It was everything we love in a restaurant. Not too stuffy and formal, but incredible local food, friendly attentive service and a bustling but romantic atmosphere. I had mackerel followed by local pheasant and Colin went for grouse to start, then pork. Both deliciously seasonal and pretty much faultless, a real treat and not the kind of food it’s easy to create at home. We shared a blondie with ice cream for pudding and chatted the night away, without rushing…or washing up!!

We all slept so well that night. The hotel is gorgously quiet and peaceful. We woke up with a knock at the door, more delicious Malabar tea and a paper. We were feeling fresh and ready for the breakfast we’d ordered on arrival.

For breakfast you can choose a from a huge list of delicious foods. There’s three choices for cooked breakfast. The Cumbrian (which we both had), a vegetarian or a more traditional English breakfast. It was just as lovely as everything else in our stay.

The only bad thing about a weekend in The Malabar, is that you have to leave. I can wholeheartedly recommend this hotel for a romantic and relaxing date night escape, or something longer. Fiona was telling me that they now offer yoga retreats, guided walks and lots of other lovely ideas!

A huge thank you to Fiona and Graham for hosting us for a wonderful weekend away. If you visit, or have any questions about visiting, please pop them in the comments below, I’d be delighted to help. Oh and if you do go…make sure you buy some of their delicious tea to bring home with you! 🙂