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Welcome to your guide to the Lake
District's best Country House Hotels
The Lakes is privileged to have so many fine
country house hotels, some of which are as good as any in the world. They
range form contemporary designed hotels with a minimalist feel through to
the traditional chintzy country house, so choose carefully to make sure
you get exactly what makes you feel most comfortable! Some of our
favourites are listed here.
Southern Lake
District Country House Hotels
Windermere - Gilpin Lodge
Country House Hotel
 Gilpin Lodge is the type of
Country House Hotel that turns luxury into a fine art and makes elegance
appear the norm. It was once a private mansion and the present design
reflects the individuality of its former owner. Luxury abounds from floor
to ceiling. The bedrooms, the lounge, the parlour, all show off
distinctive glassware, china, and antique furniture. We are not experts on
antique furniture but we know what we like - and we like this. Only in the
dining room is attention diverted from the surroundings by the outstanding
menu and wine list. The food is magnificent (the restaurant has a Michelin
star) without being pretentious and the wine list is among the finest we
have seen. We've tried tirelessly to sample as many wines as possible, but
with so many to choose from, we need to keep returning to Gilpin Lodge in
order to complete this task!
Gilpin Lodge Country House Hotel, Crook Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3NE
Phone: 015394 88818 Fax: 015394 88058
Email: hotel@gilpinlodge.com
Web: www.gilpinlodge.co.uk
Windermere - Holbeck Ghyll
 I've always enjoyed staying at the hotels
which are members of the Great Small Luxury Hotels of The World Group, and
Holbeck Ghyll is no exception. There's a place for everything in the Lakes
catalogue of hotels, according to the tastes of the visitors, and Holbeck
Ghyll amply fulfils the demand for luxury country house hotels. Its very
location, overlooking the shores of Windermere and the Langdale Fells, is
a great backdrop, but your experience of true luxury begins once you step inside.
From the superb bedrooms, with every comfort attended to, through the
attentiveness and warm approachability of the staff, through to the magnificent
Michelin starred dining experience, Holbeck Ghyll never disappoints. And
as if all that were not enough, you can also enjoy full spa facilities at the
hotel.
Holbeck
Ghyll Country House Hotel, Holbeck Lane, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LU
Phone: 05394
32375 Fax: 015394 34743
E-mail: stay@holbeckghyll.com
Web: www.holbeckghyll.com
Central Lake
District Country House Hotels
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Ambleside - Rothay Manor
This
hotel was voted Small Hotel of the Year 2006 in the Cumbria for Excellence
Awards, which proves that the hotel staff know a thing or two about
keeping their guests happy. Not surprising, considering they'll be
celebrating the fortieth year of continuous ownership by the Nixon family
this year! The Rothay Manor team is particularly proud of the quality of
the hotel's food, and this is certainly outstanding, but it has much more to offer
than gastronomic delights.
For one thing, the setting is beautiful.
Rothay Manor is a Regency Country House Hotel and it's set in beautiful
landscaped gardens only 400 yards from the head of Lake Windermere. For
another, the atmosphere is both relaxed and friendly and the rooms are
very comfortable and pleasant with delightful views over the fells. Some
of the rooms have king sized beds, and there are two private suites in the
garden.
I especially like the "Special Interest
Holidays" which run from October to May, where you can learn more about or
enjoy a whole range of subjects including antiques, painting, walking,
bridge, gardening......and so on. They're also open at Christmas and New
Year, and I highly recommend these breaks (though you'll have to book
early to be in with a chance!). The hotel tells me that families and
disabled visitors will always receive a warm welcome.
Rothay Manor, Rothay Bridge,
Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0EH
Phone: 015394 33605
Fax: 015394 33607
Email:
hotel@rothaymanor.co.uk
Web: www.rothaymanor.co.uk
You might also like to look at the
entry on the Gourmet
Restaurants page for this hotel.
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Northern Lake
District Country House Hotels
Keswick - Swinside Lodge
Swinside
Lodge Hotel is an attractive luxury hotel run by the owners, Mike
Bilton and Kath Bilton, who pay attention to all the little details
which make a stay in any hotel very special. The number of returning
guests is a tribute to the success they have brought to this
establishment. This small luxury hotel has seven rooms, each of which
has its own character and style, and all of which have stunning views
of the beautiful local scenery. Many guests come back year after year
to their favourite rooms, all of which have been refurbished to a high
standard.
The hotel looks out over the Lake
District mountains, and is only a few minutes form Keswick - yet it is
a haven of tranquillity and peace, set apart from all the busyness of
the Lakes' tourist centres. There is abundant wildlife around the
hotel, including the elusive red squirrel in the gardens. Guests who
like to dine well will be delighted with the four course dinner which
is available each evening; there is a well-chosen and extensive wine
list, all of which have contributed to the hotel gaining the rare and
very significant two AA Rosettes. Mike and Kath have also been
designated "Lakeland Hotel of the Year" by The Good Hotel Guide, and
"Lakeland Small Hotel Of The Year" by Cumbria Tourism.
Swinside Lodge is perfect for ramblers and walkers, with many
beautiful walks starting right outside the hotel door. You can also
enjoy Lake cruises on Derwentwater, visits to historic houses and
castles, the tranquillity of beautiful gardens, and many local
villages and craft shops.
Web address:
www.swinsidelodge-hotel.co.uk Email:
info@swinsidelodge-hotel.co.uk
Phone: 017687 72948 Fax: 017687 73312
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 Temple Sowerby - Penrith
A
beautiful and intimate hotel with only twelve bedrooms in the north Lake
District. Very conformable and charming. In the best tradition of the
English Country Hotel! Some of the rooms have king sized beds.
Temple Sowerby House Hotel & Restaurant, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria,
CA10 1RZ
Phone: 017683 61578
Fax: 017683 61958
Email:
stay@templesowerby.com
Web: www.templesowerby.com
Low Lorton, near
Cockermouth - Winder Hall Country House Hotel
 This historic manor house
has an interesting an unusual history. Although the present fabric dates
from the seventeenth & nineteenth centuries, and includes an ancient
priest hole, there has been a manor house on the site since Saxon times
(i.e. before 1066). It is recorded that Malcolm III of Scots visited the
lord of the manor in 1053, and was right royally entertained, as was his
prerogative, as at that time, the whole of the Lake District formed part
of the kingdom of Scotland.
Today, the visitor is treated as royalty by the current proprietors Ann
and Nick. Our favourite part of the house is the oak panelled dining room,
the perfect setting for the most exquisite food, all organic and free
range and all fresh local produce. We recommend that you try the lamb
dishes. This is certainly some of the best lamb we have ever tasted, and
tastes even better when complemented by excellent wines from the
well-chosen wine list.
The bedrooms are all individually and tastefully furnished with modern
fittings. The lounge is stately but comfortable; if the weather permits,
try sitting out in the stunning garden or go to the summer house with its
fine views of the fells of Lorton Vale - perhaps try a gentle stroll down
to the river.
Winder Hall Country House Hotel, Low Lorton (Near Cockermouth), CA13 9UP
Phone: 01900 85107
Email: stay@winderhall.co.uk
Web: www.winderhall.co.uk
Western Lake
District Country House Hotels
Moresby
Hall, Whitehaven
 Now, if you're someone who wants something a
bit different from the norm, you might want to check out the beautiful and
individualistic accommodation on offer at Moresby Hall. This building is
certainly impressive, and it offers accommodation of unique character. I
can't do better than quote what the owners said to me: "Our focus is about
relaxation, superb quality and genuine hospitality at our family home." In
fact, both Jane and David have travelled extensively, and from their own
experience they know what the discerning guest wants. As for the food -
well, it's simply superb. Jane is both creative and skilled, and the
products of her kitchen are a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds alike. If
you're thinking of a personal celebration or ceremony,
Moresby
Hall is a licensed venue for small and intimate civil weddings and
partnership ceremonies.
If you're in business, there are also
superb conference facilities for up to 36 guests in the delightful
surroundings of the Fletcher suite.
Moresby Hall, Moresby, Whitehaven, Cumbria,
CA28 6PJ
Phone: 01946 696317 Fax:
01946 694385
Email:
info@moresbyhall.co.uk Web:
www.moresbyhall.co.uk
Eastern Lake District
Country House Hotels
 Overlooking
Ullswater, this charming 18th-century country house is set in nearly
twenty acres of attractive parkland with paths running down to the
lakeshore. There are many original features, and the furnishings include
elegant period pieces and delightful antiques. The comfortable lounges
include a bar which opens out on to a sunny summer terrace; the attractive
restaurant looks out over magnificent views, delighting the eye and the
palate at the same time. The chef has an innovative approach which
incorporates fresh local produce of the highest quality, and the results
are of the highest standard. Indeed, the
team of chefs, under the watchful eye of Master Chef Andrew McGeorge, are
justly famed for their high standards and skill; as a result, the
restaurant is recommended by all of the most important guides. Their
skills have resulted in the award of 3 AA Rosettes, given to only
the top ten percent of restaurants.
All the bedrooms
are different
in both size and aspect,
but they are all
individually decorated and furnished
to the highest
standards, and include several
deluxe
rooms, with
private balconies
which offer
spectacular
views over
Ullswater
and the local
fells; the remaining rooms overlook the delightful gardens. All rooms are
ensuite, with
bath
and shower, and all
the facilities you'd expect from a country house hotel, including
complimentary
fruit and mineral
water.
Rampsbeck Country House Hotel, Watermillock,
Ullswater, CA11 0LP
Phone: 017684 86442 Web: www.rampsbeck.co.uk Email: enquiries@rampsbeck.co.uk
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