A hotel in the Lake District is inviting travellers to delve deeper into nature and go on an otter-spotting trail.

The Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, in Keswick, is launching this trail in January 2024, as an extension of its existing wildlife adventure programme.

Armathwaite Hall is set in a picturesque location by Bassenthwaite and offers visitors views of Cumbria’s wildlife.

It is a popular spot for people interested in exploring the outdoors, and this new two-hour ‘spot and otter’ experience promises to do just that, the hotel said.

The Lake District is full of spots for otters, thanks to the fells and many large lakes where they call home. 

Beginning with a ‘nature-inspired’ welcome drink upon arrival, the guided trail takes place early in the morning and at dusk - the best times to spot these elusive and nocturnal animals.

Guided by Lucy Dunn, education and animal conservation officer at Lake District Wildlife Park, the trails will take guests through some of the area’s most rural countryside spots, including Bassenthwaite Lake and the River Derwent.

Lucy will take guests on a tour of the spots where otters have been known to congregate, including hidden burrows and hollow trees nestled on the water’s edge.

As otters are wild animals, there is only the possibility that guests will spot an otter during the tour but with Lucy by their side, they’ll learn tips, tricks, and interesting facts about the otter, including their importance to our ecosystem and the best ways to spot one of their distinctive muddy belly slides.

The tour will end at Lake District Wildlife Park, which is part of a global network that breeds and protects endangered species.

The trail starts at £90 per person, and bookings are a minimum of two people.

Children can participate if accompanied by an adult, and it is available all year round, only for hotel guests.