Home to dramatic mountain peaks, barren fells, and glorious waterways, the Lake District is one of England’s most impressive outdoor destinations. Protected as a national park and recognized and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake District has long inspired hikers, walkers, painters, and poets alike.
Located in northwest England, you’ll love staying in the Cumbrian countryside. Spend long days walking, enjoy boat cruises across Lake Windermere, Ullswater, or Coniston Water, and tackle tough summits like Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. Follow in William Wordsworth’s footsteps in Grasmere, visit The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, or take to the waters in a kayak or canoe.
With so much to see and do, you’ll want a nice hotel room to rest up in at the end of a long day. Luckily, the Lake District is brimming with luxurious spa hotels, historic B&Bs, and unique boutique hotels. In fact, there are so many incredible places to stay in the Lake District that it’s almost impossible to choose. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best luxury hotels in the Lake District for you!
- Short on time and don’t want to read the whole article? Here are our top 3 picks!
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The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in the Lake District, England
1. Lakes Hotel & Spa
At the Lakes Hotel & Spa, you’ll not only enjoy sweeping views of Lake Windermere from your balcony, but you can enjoy the panorama while relaxing in your private balcony hot tub!
This luxury property in Bowness-on-Windermere is one of the coolest hotels in the Lake District, and there’s not much that can beat a coffee or cocktail on the Lakes Terrace as you immerse yourself in the lakeside surroundings.
Rent a bicycle from the Bike Shack, hire a canoe or a paddleboard, or just spend all day in the Elemis Spa, where there’s a plunge pool, poolside bar, hot tub, steam room, and sauna.
The Lakes Hotel & Spa is home to a traditional Cumbrian pub with a cozy log fire and a menu packed with classics, including fish and chips and Cumberland sausages and mash. You can also dine at Mizumi, the hotel’s Japanese-inspired restaurant, where sushi-sharing platters are the top order of the day.
2. North Lakes Hotel and Spa
You’ll love how the North Lakes Hotel and Spa is home to a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, and steam room – just what you need after a day of hiking in the fells. Located in the historic market town of Penrith, you’ll be staying in the beautiful Eden Valley on the northeastern edge of the Lake District National Park.
This four-star property is one of the best hotels in the Lake District, with luxury rooms featuring modern artwork, plush beds, and fluffy bathrobes. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are all served in the hotel’s FYR Grill Restaurant, which has been awarded the coveted 2AA Rosette status for its open-fire cooking.
3. The Wordsworth Hotel
Follow in the footsteps of one of England’s most revered romantic poets as you take literary inspiration from the charming Lake District village of Grasmere. William Wordsworth spent many years living in Dove Cottage in Grasmere, and just a few doors down, you’ll find The Wordsworth Hotel, one of the top luxury hotels in the Lake District.
This four-star boutique property is found within the restored stone walls of the Earl of Cadogan’s former shooting lodge. You’ll love the log fires in the pub, and budding poets will enjoy the Wordsworth theme running throughout the luxury rooms. The pub has barrels of local ales on tap and a hearty menu of pork belly, venison, and seabream.
4. The Cuckoo Brow Inn
Located in the quaint village of Far Sawrey (Beatrix Potter lived in Near Sawrey, the next village along), The Cuckoo Brow Inn is a traditional pub that’s been serving hikers, poets, and fell walkers since the 18th century.
This traditional inn has just 14 homey rooms to book, each of which has recently been renovated in such a way that preserves the heritage while introducing modern comforts like king-size beds and flat-screen televisions.
The pub serves an impressive range of local beers, but it’s the food that’s the real highlight. The chefs source local game and ingredients from the Lake District, creating fresh specials like their famous Cumbrian breakfast and iconic steak and Flakebridge cheese pie.
5. Lakeside Hotel and Spa
Enjoy a blissful spa weekend away at one of the best Lake District hotels. Perched on the southern banks of Lake Windermere, the Lakeside Hotel and Spa offers modern luxuries in the timeless surroundings of a Cumbrian country house.
You’ll have beautiful views of the lake or the mountains from your boutique room, while terrace suites offer private patios opening directly onto the lakeside. The spa features a spacious indoor swimming pool, while the therapists offer Aveda treatments, massages, and facials.
Cumberland sausages, pancakes, salmon, and scrambled eggs are all served for breakfast in the Terrace & Conservatory. Afternoon tea can be taken in the gardens (the Lakes weather permitting), and a dinner of guinea fowl, trout, or Himalayan salt-aged steak can be enjoyed in the Lakeview Restaurant.
6. Kotel Windermere
Kotel Windermere is one of the most unique hotels in the Lake District. Conveniently located in the town of Windermere, close to the national park’s largest lake, you’ll be staying in a 19th-century heritage building that’s been gifted a modern soul.
You can’t miss the vibrant pink colors that sweep through this boutique property, with pink curtains, pink bedding, and pink decor found in the luxury rooms. Plush beds are covered in fluffy throws, while the bathrooms are packed with luxury branded toiletries.
7. Linthwaite House Hotel
Perched on a hilltop offering brilliant views of Lake Windermere, Linthwaite House Hotel brims with both tradition and style. This grand Edwardian-era country home is vast, and you’ll love how it’s surrounded by 14 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.
A five-star hotel, luxury rooms feature floral decor and plush beds, while bathrooms are kitted out with underfloor heating and walk-in rain showers. The Bar & Conservatory serves chic cocktails with a stunning panorama of the lake, and we highly recommend enjoying a pre-dinner tipple on the terrace.
Don’t overindulge because the best is yet to come at Henrock. The hotel’s gourmet restaurant is the work of Simon Rogan, and its quality has been recognized with the awarding of a Michelin Plate as it works toward the fabled Michelin star.
Fresh, seasonal ingredients are sourced from Rogan’s own Lake District farm, and you can expect fabulous dishes like Cumbrian Peking duck breast and slow-cooked pork saddle.
8. The Coniston Inn
One of the top luxury hotels in the Lake District is The Coniston Inn. Situated on the banks of Coniston Water, you’ll be surrounded by dramatic mountains and fells when you stay at a centuries-old pub that was a favorite of writers like John Ruskin.
With 42 bespoke rooms offering cozy comforts and traditional decor, you’ll love waking up to views of Coniston Water or the Old Man of Coniston during your stay. In summer, the pub’s spacious beer garden overflows with ales and drinkers, and in winter, you can cozy up in the restaurants, enjoying local favorites like pan-roasted pheasant breast or pie and mash.
9. Ees Wyke Country House
If you love the works of Beatrix Potter, then one of the best places to stay in the Lake District is Ees Wyke Country House. Located in the village of Near Sawrey, this elegant Georgian lodge was once “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” creator’s holiday home.
Beatrix Potter moved to the village and spent the latter part of her life in Near Sawrey, so rest assured you’re in inspirational surroundings. Luxury rooms are cozy, offering glorious countryside views, while nothing beats the log fire in the lounge after a long walk to Lake Windermere.
10. Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa will blow you away with its lakefront location. Set on a secluded estate overlooking Derwentwater, this luxury spa hotel is surrounded by 40 acres of land and is home to its very own waterfall.
The secluded location makes this one for nature lovers, and you’ll love waking up to a panorama of the mountains, forest, and lakeshore. The hotel’s 87 rooms and suites all feature tall windows, balconies, or private terraces designed exactly for that reason, and you can enjoy the panorama each morning with a hearty Cumbrian breakfast.
The Lake View Restaurant serves hearty fine dining cuisine, while Mizu is an Asian-fusion restaurant bringing international flavors to the Lakes. The Falls Spa features a heated outdoor swimming pool and a thermal suite, making this one of the best hotels in the Lake District for relaxation!
That completes our list of the 10 best Lake District hotels! Did we miss any luxury hotels in the Lake District? Comment below so we can add them to the list!
Where to Stay in the Lake District
The Lake District is known for its quaint villages and lakeside towns, where you can stay in traditional bed and breakfasts and old country pubs packed with heritage. But the Lake District is also home to modern spa hotels, offering a relaxing and rejuvenating escape among the Lakes.
If it’s your first time in the Lake District, you’ll want to pick a hotel around Lake Windermere, where luxury boutique retreats line the largest lake in the national park. If you need more amenities, then larger towns like Penrith offer luxury hotels on the boundaries of the Lake District National Park.
At the same time, on the opposite end of the spectrum, small villages like Near Sawrey and Grasmere are the perfect secluded bases for hikers.
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