After weeks of looking forward to it, the day finally arrived for our first visit to Eye Kettleby Lakes in Leicestershire.
As part of the Tranquil Parks network, we had heard plenty of positive things about the site. Therefore, we were keen to see it for ourselves.
One of the reasons Eye Kettleby Lakes caught our attention was its membership of the Tranquil Parks group, which is known for independently owned parks offering high standards and a more personal experience.
Joining us on this trip was our son Marc. With good weather forecast for most of the weekend, we were looking forward to a relaxing few days away from home.
What followed was a weekend filled with great food, plenty of laughs, a visit to one of England’s most beautiful market towns and a day supporting James Harridge as he competed in Formula Ford.
If you’d like to see more photos from the trip, be sure to visit our Photo Gallery where you can follow our adventures and see some of our favourite moments from the weekend.
Thursday â Arrival Day at Eye Kettleby Lakes
After arriving at Eye Kettleby Lakes and getting everything set up on our pitch, it was finally time to start enjoying the weekend.
The weather was warm and sunny. As a result, it was the perfect afternoon to settle in and unwind.
First impressions of the site were excellent. The grounds looked beautifully maintained and the atmosphere felt welcoming from the moment we arrived.
We were also looking forward to spending some time in the clubhouse. Fortunately, Thursday evening turned out to be the perfect introduction to the social side of the site.
A visiting pizza van was serving food on site, so dinner was sorted without needing to leave the campsite.
The pizzas were excellent. Therefore, they proved to be the ideal first-night meal.
Afterwards, we spent the rest of the evening in the clubhouse. We enjoyed a few drinks, played pool and relaxed after the journey.
Overall, it was a great way to kick off the weekend.
Friday â Exploring Stamford
Friday greeted us with another day of sunshine. Therefore, after a relaxed morning on site, we decided to head over to Stamford.
We had heard plenty of good things about Stamford before visiting. Thankfully, it certainly lived up to expectations.
The town is packed with character, beautiful stone buildings and independent shops. Consequently, it is a lovely place to spend a few hours exploring.
There is a timeless feel to Stamford. Around every corner seemed to be another attractive street, historic building or independent business worth stopping to look at.
Afternoon Tea at Central Cafe & Tearooms
One of the highlights of the day was stopping for afternoon tea at Central Cafe & Tearooms.
The cafÊ was busy and ideally located in the centre of Stamford. As a result, it provided a convenient place to take a break from exploring the town.
We enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to sit down and relax for a while.
However, the afternoon tea itself was probably around a 3 out of 5 for us. It was perfectly pleasant, but it did not quite live up to some of the excellent afternoon teas we have enjoyed elsewhere during our travels.
Nevertheless, it was still a nice way to spend part of the afternoon before continuing our wander around Stamford.
Later in the day, we returned to Eye Kettleby Lakes for another relaxed evening.
Chinese Takeaway Night
For dinner, we ordered a Chinese takeaway from Dim Sum in Melton Mowbray.
Rather than heading back to the caravan, we decided to eat in the main bar and restaurant area on site.
The food was excellent and the atmosphere was relaxed. Consequently, it rounded off another brilliant day.
Saturday â Mallory Park and Formula Ford
Saturday’s plans were slightly different from the rest of the weekend.
We headed to Mallory Park to support James Harridge as he competed in Formula Ford.
The weather was not quite as kind as the previous two days. Although we experienced a little rain, it certainly was not enough to spoil the occasion.
Watching the racing, spending time trackside and cheering James on made for a fantastic day out.
In addition, it added something completely different to the trip.
Later that evening, we returned to Eye Kettleby Lakes. Afterwards, it was nice to relax and reflect on another enjoyable day.
Sunday â Homeward Bound
As seems to happen with every good caravan trip, Sunday arrived far sooner than we would have liked.
Thankfully, the sunshine returned once again. Therefore, we enjoyed a pleasant final morning on site.
After a quick tea and coffee, it was time to pack everything away and begin the journey home.
Once the caravan was returned to storage, the weekend was officially over.
First Impressions of Eye Kettleby Lakes
For a first visit, Eye Kettleby Lakes made a fantastic impression.
From the moment we arrived, it felt like the sort of site where you can immediately relax and settle into holiday mode.
The grounds were beautifully maintained and the facilities were first class.
In addition, the clubhouse quickly became one of our favourite places to spend the evening.
Being part of the Tranquil Parks group also gave us confidence when booking.
As a result, Eye Kettleby Lakes left us wondering why we had not visited sooner.
Looking Back on the Weekend
Looking back, this trip had everything we could have hoped for.
We enjoyed good weather for most of the weekend. We also spent quality time together as a family.
Meanwhile, our visit to Stamford gave us the chance to explore one of England’s most attractive market towns.
Saturday then brought something completely different as we headed to Mallory Park to support James Harridge in Formula Ford.
Although we experienced a little rain, it did not spoil the day.
Instead, it added to the experience and gave us plenty to talk about afterwards.
Most importantly, we created some fantastic memories together and enjoyed a brilliant few days away.
Next Stop: Delph Bank
By the time we returned the caravan to storage, we were already looking ahead to our next trip.
In just a couple of weeks, we will be heading to Delph Bank Touring Park.
Therefore, there is not too long to wait before we are hitching up once again.
Trips like this remind us why we enjoy caravanning so much.
Good company, decent weather and new places to explore often create the best memories.
Trip Highlights
- Our first visit to Eye Kettleby Lakes
- Sunny weather on Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Pizza night and pool in the clubhouse
- Exploring Stamford
- Afternoon tea at Central Cafe & Tearooms
- Chinese takeaway from Dim Sum
- Supporting James Harridge at Mallory Park
- Quality family time with Marc
Planning a Visit?
Where is Eye Kettleby Lakes?
Eye Kettleby Lakes is located near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire and is a popular destination for touring caravans, motorhomes and anglers.
What is there to do near Eye Kettleby Lakes?
Popular nearby attractions include Stamford, Melton Mowbray, Rutland Water and Mallory Park.
Is Stamford worth visiting?
Absolutely. Stamford is widely regarded as one of England’s most attractive market towns and offers beautiful architecture, independent shops and excellent places to eat and drink.
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One Response
đī¸ Eye Kettleby Lakes certainly made a great first impression on us! This was our first visit and we had a fantastic weekend exploring the area, enjoying the clubhouse, visiting Stamford and spending a day at Mallory Park.
đ Have you stayed here before? Have you visited Stamford or discovered any great places to eat, drink or explore nearby? đ We’d love to hear your recommendations and favourite memories in the comments.