Bowland Breaks

Cosy Winter Nights at The Shippon

February 21, 2024

Cosy Winter Nights at The Shippon: Roaring Fires, Delicious Comfort Food, and More!

As the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing quite like escaping to a cosy haven with a crackling fire, warming food, and endless entertainment. At The Shippon Luxury Holiday Let, Lancashire we’ve curated the perfect winter getaway experience, offering the ideal retreat to unwind and reconnect with loved ones.

Indulge in a Taste of Lancashire:

Tonight’s culinary highlight is a true Lancastrian masterpiece: the Lancashire Hotpot. Layers of tender lamb nestled with caramelized onions, melt-in-your-mouth potatoes, and rich gravy – every spoonful bursting with flavors that have warmed generations. Imagine the aroma wafting through the cottage, beckoning you to gather around the table and savor the taste of this local legend. The perfect food for a winter getaway and a cosy winter nights at The Shippon.

Ingredients

100g dripping or butter
900g stewing lamb, cut into large chunks
3 lamb kidneys, sliced, fat removed
2 medium onions, chopped
4 carrots, peeled and sliced
25g plain flour
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
500ml lamb or chicken stock
2 bay leaves
900g potato, peeled and sliced
Method
- STEP 1
  
  Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3.
- STEP 2
  
  Heat a little of the 100g dripping or butter in a large shallow casserole dish and brown 900g stewing lamb chunks in batches, lift to a plate, then repeat with 3 trimmed and sliced lamb kidneys.
- STEP 3
  
  Fry 2 chopped onions and 4 peeled and sliced carrots in the pan with a little more dripping until golden.
- STEP 4
  
  Sprinkle over 25g plain flour, allow to cook for a couple of mins, shake over 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, pour in 500ml lamb or chicken stock, then bring to the boil.
- STEP 5
  
  Stir in the stewing lamb and kidneys and 2 bay leaves, then turn off the heat.
- STEP 6
  
  Arrange 900g peeled and sliced potatoes on top of the meat, then drizzle with a little more dripping.
- STEP 7
  
  Cover, then place in the oven for about 1½ hrs until the potatoes are cooked.
- STEP 8
  
  Remove the lid, brush the potatoes with a little more dripping, then turn the oven up to brown the potatoes, or finish under the grill for 5-8 mins until brown.

Warm Your Spirits with a Lancashire Martini a winter getaway drink!

No cosy winter evening is complete without a signature cocktail. Impress your guests with the Lancashire Martini, a unique twist on the classic, featuring local gin infused with damson and elderflower. As you sip this delectable concoction by the firelight, let the flavors transport you to the heart of Lancashire’s rolling hills and charming villages.

Ingredients

50ml Cuckoo Gin

15ml Extra dry vermouth

1 Olive

Stir the gin and vermouth together with cubed ice in a cocktail shaker for 60 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with the olive. Enjoy.

Master the Art of the Log Burner:

For the ultimate winter ambiance for a cosy nights at The Shippon, our welcoming log burner awaits. But fret not, even if you’re a fire-lighting novice! We’ve compiled some handy tips to get your fire roaring in no time, ensuring a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout your stay.

Traditional Lighting Steps

Use two tabloid-size pieces of newspaper crumpled into a loose ball about the size of a cricket ball or firelighters and place them in the combustion chamber.
Place small pieces of dried kindling into a triangular shape over the newspaper, allowing for air gaps. On larger appliances place two smallish logs on either side of the kindling to allow for larger logs to be placed over the well alight kindling.
Ensure that the air controls are set to the manufacturer’s guidelines to make lighting as easy as possible.

Beyond the Flames: Entertainment for All:

When the fire crackles and the food is enjoyed,a cosy winter nights at The Shippon entails snugglng up on our plush sofa with a cosy throw and immerse yourselves in our selection of books, board games, and cards. Challenge your loved ones to a friendly game night, curl up with a captivating novel, or enjoy a movie marathon by the warm glow of the fire.

LIMITED TIME OFFER – 10% OFF ALL DIRECT BOOKINGS ENTER – DIRECT10 INTO PROMO CODE DIRECT WEBSITE

The Shippon is your haven for a truly unforgettable winter escape. With delicious local cuisine, a crackling fire, and endless entertainment options, all you need to do is relax, unwind, and create lasting memories.