STARGAZING and night swimming are set to be combined as part of a special one-off series of experiences to celebrate the dark skies of the Lake District.

Guided wild swims can be enjoyed in Derwentwater after nightfall to give guests a unique perspective of the stars, planets and meteor showers

The adventurous escapades are part of a month-long series of experiences being organised by the family-run Lake District Hotels group, which has six venues in Keswick, Borrowdale and Glenridding.

Director Dani Hope said: “The skies at night in the Lake District can be simply stunning. Away from the light pollution of major cities and sprawling towns, the stars and planets come to life and we can’t wait to embrace them.

“There are so many fantastic stargazing sites within a short distance of our hotels - in fact, a blanket and flask of hot chocolate in the grounds of several of them will yield a night sky most people will rarely have had the pleasure to behold.

“We are particularly excited about the night swimming and are really looking forward to an adventurous month.”

Lake District Hotels has six venues across the National Park including the Kings Arms Hotel, Inn on The Square and The Skiddaw Hotel, all in Keswick’s historic town square; The Borrowdale Hotel in Borrowdale, The Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa by Derwentwater and The Inn on the Lake on the shores of Ullswater.

The night time adventures will be available to guests at all venues, with the more secluded hotels offering additional experiences.

At the Inn on the Lake, by Ullswater, residents and non-residents will be able to enjoy the magic of a starlight dinner with champagne served in the hotel’s gazebo.

And at the award-winning Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, special twilight spa sessions for a strictly limited number of guests are available. The spa package, available to residents and non-residents, will see lucky spa and star fans soak up the views of the dark skies above Derwentwater from the luxury of the heated outdoor infinity pool - with a glass of champagne in hand, of course.

The Lake District is well known for its dark skies and there are a number of spots where light pollution is at an absolute minimum.

Fact sheets on the best places to go will be available for all guests across the Lake District Hotels group’s six venues throughout November.

Favourite places of the team to enjoy the night sky include: Castlerigg Stone Circle, Keswick; Chinese Bridge, Borrowdale; Whinlatter Forest, Honister Pass, Friar’s Crag, Keswick; Thirlmere, Dockray, Ullswater.

Stargazers are advised to come equipped with: a red light torch, scarves, gloves, a warm hat, sensible footwear, binoculars, a map and a blanket.

There are also a variety of apps that offer interactive maps of the night sky that can enhance the stargazing experience. They include Sky Map, Sky View Light and Star Tracker.

For more information about Lake District Hotels' Dark Skies Experience visit https://www.lakedistricthotels.net/stargazing.