With its shimmering lakes, green valleys, and towering peaks, England’s Lake District is one of the loveliest parts of the country. And some of the finest English manor houses are now hotels in the Lake District.
There are several towns in the Lake District that you can use as a base.
Lake Windermere and neighboring Ambleside are the most popular – and crowded. Lake Ullswater and Bassenthwaite are a little quieter.
Wherever you stay, you’ll be able to visit the sights – Wordsworth’s House, Beatrix Potter’s home and gallery, and the Ruskin Museum. And you’ll have countless opportunities to go hiking, boating, and golfing. But be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to do nothing but relax and enjoy the scenery.
Ambleside hotels.
A short walk from both Lake Windermere and the town of Ambleside, Rothay Manor occupies a Regency-style country house that dates from 1825. The manor was originally the summer home of a Liverpudlian cotton merchant, and today, the 19 rooms have many of the original period details. Rooms are beautifully furnished, and the public areas have lots of antiques, over-stuffed chairs, and fresh flowers. Just what you’d expect in a country house. Request a room with a balcony overlooking the lake. The restaurant is top-nocth, and it has a wine list to match. Guests have privileges at a nearby health club. The manor has been run by the same family more than 40 years.
About 2-1/2 miles from Ambleside, the Drunken Duck Inn is an old coaching inn that’s a pleasant place to eat, drink, or sleep. The 16 rooms are bright and modern, and many have nice views. They surround a gravel courtyard and gardens. The garden room has beamed ceilings, a wood stove, and a small patio. The well-regarded restaurant has a menu that includes sea bass and scallops and butternut squash mille-feuille – reservations are a must. The bar serves ale fresh from the Barnsgate Brewery. And guests at the Duck can use the pool, steam room, and exercise equipment at the Langdale Country Club.
Windermere hotels.
Located on 67 gorgeous acres overlooking Lake Windermere, The Samling is a favorite of the rich and famous. Celebrities like Victoria and David Beckham aren’t uncommon. But the Samling is much less stuffy than many country house hotels. Despite the luxurious surroundings, the ambience is more lodgy than stodgy. The late 18th-century stone house is where Wordsworth used to pay his rent. Today, there are 11 rooms, 6 in the main house, and 5 in cottages on the property. Each room is unique, but all are beautifully decorated. Some rooms are two- or three-story. The restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star, and the wine cellar is one of the best in the region. The staff are happy to arrange virtually any activity from paragliding to trout fishing. The Samling is one of the best Lake District hotels.
From the outside, Langdale Chase Hotel is an old stone Victorian mansion with lots of interesting architectural details. Inside, it’s filled with antiques, old paintings, oak-paneled rooms, ornate fireplaces and a grand staircase. It’s been a hotel since 1930, and it’s played a Victorian manor house in several BBC shows. Most of the 27 rooms feature magnificent views of the lake. In addition to accommodations in the main house, there are five rooms in an old cottage, and a highly coveted room above the lake-side boathouse. The view of the lake and pretty gardens from the terrace are wonderful. The hotel has a pier and you can take canoeing, kayaking, sailing, or windsurfing lessons. There’s also a restaurant and bar on the property.
Lord Lonsdale’s former hunting lodge, Holbeck Ghyll is one of the most expensive hotels in the Lake District. If you can afford the premium price, you’re not likely to be disappointed. There are a variety of accommodations – 15 rooms in the 19th-century main house, 6 in the lodge, which was built in 1998, and 4 rooms in a recently restored barn. Most of the rooms in the lodge have splendid lake views and patios or balconies. Four have kitchenettes. The Miss Potter Suite has a private terrace with hot tub. There are also several detached cottages. Active travelers will appreciate the gym, tennis court, spa, putting green, and croquet lawn. The restaurant has a Michelin star and the wine list has won many awards.
Lake Ullswater hotels.
One of the finest hotels in the Lake District, Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel provides its lucky guests with terrific service, luxurious accommodation, and wonderful food. Oh, yes, and gorgeous views. It was the first member of the Relais & Cheateaux group in Britain. Originally a private, Victorian home on 12 acres fronting Lake Ullswater, it was purchased in 1948 and painstakingly restored. Today, there are 26 rooms – nine in the main house, and 17 in the Edwardian Gatehouse and cottages. The restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star 14 years in a row. Sharrow Bay is so close to Lake Ullswater, you can almost reach out and touch it.
On the shores of Lake Ullswater, Rampsbeck Country House Hotel offers very good value for money in an area that can be pretty expensive. The 18th-century house is on 18 acres of parkland and gardens with ¼ mile of lake frontage. Most of the rooms have been recently updated with LCD TVs, Bose radios, and WiFi Internet access. Mini-deluxe and deluxe rooms have separate sitting areas. The restaurant makes the most of fresh, local produce. And when the weather’s fine, the lounge opens onto the terrace.
Bassenthwaite hotels.
Once an 18th-century ale house, The Pheasant is an old coaching inn that just oozes ambience. It’s about midway between Cockermouth and Keswick at the northern tip of Bassenthwaite Lake on a quiet country road. Most of the 15 nicely updated rooms overlook the adjoining 60-acre forest. The restaurant is much better that you’d expect. And with its wood-paneled walls and warming fireplace, the cozy pub is still popular with locals. Guest have privileges at the local spa, five minutes away. The Pheasant is an affordable and charming Lake District hotel.
