11 best hotels in the Lake District 2023 for a wellness-boosting break
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Googling the “best hotels in the Lake District” as soon as you leave your parents' house after the festive break? We get it. After the endless Christmas parties, boozy work drinks and chaotic family gatherings, there's no surprise you're after a wellness-boosting weekend break in the fresh air.
The Lake District is one of the most naturally beautiful destinations in England, and there’s no better way to reset and recharge for the new year than with a low-key staycation. What better place is there to get cosy, goal set and realign with your inner self than with a wellness-focused getaway at the Lake District?
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake District boasts gorgeous scenery, picturesque villages and plenty of outdoor activities for you to reconnect with Mother Nature. The Lake District’s many fells and summits – including Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, The Old Man of Coniston and Catbells to name but a few – offer some of the most beautiful walks in the entirety of the country.
Elsewhere, the Lake District’s eponymous lakes – Windermere, Buttermere, Crummock Water, Wast Water, Derwentwater, Coniston Water, Thirlmere, Bassenthwaithe and Ullswater – are among the most beautiful in the world. And all that water means that there’s a plethora of water sports available to their visitors, from kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding to sailing.
Of course, the Lake District has more than just breath-taking natural sites – but plenty of culture and history to boot. Beatrix Potter’s House, the Lakeland Motor Museum, Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage in Grasmere (plus plenty of other family-friendly cultural attractions) mean there’s never a shortage of things to do and see. Not to mention, the whole area is very pet-friendly too (perfect for the PAWrents who treat their fur babies as real babies). Oh, and the best part? The UK is home to some of the best spas in the UK. The hunt for a spa hotel in the Lake District is on.
So — if you’re looking for a weekend getaway minus all the hassle of COVID tests, airport queues and the anxiety of a delayed or cancelled flight, then check out our short-list of the best hotels in the Lake District below. From luxury hotels to manor houses, country house hotels, cosy cottages and charming pubs with rooms, there's sure to be something you're desperate to check into for a quick getaway or week-long stay.
Ahead, the best hotels in the Lake District – including our pick of the best spa hotels in the Lake District.
Best hotels in the Lake District for couples
Spa: Yes
Pool: No
Price per night: Starting from £295Why we love it: This gorgeous Edwardian manor house is situated in the east of the National Park behind Lake Windermere and near the charming town of Penrith. The epitome of subdued elegance, the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is surrounded by perfectly manicured 21 acres of grounds, ideal for mindful walks with alpacas and llamas casually wandering about. There are also natural streams and ponds, with superb walking routes surrounding the property.
The hotel has 31 rooms, each one individually designed, with contemporary yet cosy interiors that make you feel at home. There are Garden Suites and Spa Lodges which are Scandi-chic and offer plenty of tranquillity for a wellness stay. The Spa Lodges in particular are elevated wood and glass lodges, equipped their own private spa facilities. The pièce de resistance however is the six bedroom Lake House, which occupies a former fishing lodge. This stunning luxury guest house is great if you’re doing a goal-setting girls retreat and it even has its own staff. There are two restaurants which celebrate the best of locally sourced Cumbrian ingredients, one British and the other Indian, these are Michelin-starred HRisSHi and Gilpin Spice. (both will take your breath away).