33 Best Hotels in The Lake District, England

On a quiet corner, this upscale boutique B&B has spacious guest rooms with carefully chosen fabrics and wallpaper, comfortable mattresses, and contemporary touches. Stained glass, wooden floors, shelves of books, and a grand piano help give the place a cultured air. Breakfast options include local sausages, fresh fruit, and eggs Benedict. Your hosts will also prepare picnic baskets, cheese plates, and other delicious savory platters on request.

Ancient hub of the Lowther Estate, Askham Hall has spectacular gardens and fairy-tale rooms that have welcomed royalty and now welcome guests; the grand staircase and 13th-century peel tower give it a castlelike feel. But it's also refreshingly unpretentious, with homey touches to the country-house style: drinks are on the honor system, and the excellent restaurant is a chic hodgepodge of Spanish tiles and aged tables. Rooms are spacious and elegant, with ancient fireplaces and oak buttresses. The gardens have a 230-foot-long herbaceous border, secret paths, terraces, and views of the River Lowther. The hotel is about 10 minutes south of Penrith.

Used by Arthur Ransome as the setting for Swallows and Amazons, 15th-century Bank Ground is beautifully situated on the eastern shore of Coniston Water, opposite the village of Coniston on the western shore; this old-fashioned working farm now has six rooms and four cottages. Some rooms are family rooms, and the cottages with kitchens are a good option for longer stays. A guest lounge has an open fire. The Swallows and Amazon Cafe, open to the public, offers breakfast and lunch. 

After four centuries, this friendly old coaching inn remains an outstanding place for both food and lodging, with bedrooms—bright and exceptionally comfortable—that have wonderful views of the Langdale Pikes. Newer rooms have rolltop tubs and underfloor heating. Slip into the cozy, dog-friendly bar with an open fire and oak settles, and order a tasty real ale from the Duck's Barngates Brewery. The dining space is light and airy.

Hidden among 22 acres of gorgeous grounds you'll find the main house, 16 garden and spa suites and lodges, and also the separate six-room Lake House, for a total of 36 bedrooms between the hotel and Lake House. There are two superb restaurants, Gilpin Spice and Michelin-starred SOURCE, where chef Ollie Bridgwater takes the helm. Check in for a treat, but beware: you won't ever want to leave.

Though this stately, carefully restored home retains original elements from its days as a grand Victorian country pile, its welcoming owners have invested in handsome local furniture, stripped away some of the chintz, and opened up inspiring views across the pristine lawns to the valley and the central Lakeland peaks beyond. Rooms have ornate beds, plenty of luxurious fabrics, patterned wallpaper, and stunning views. Communal areas are relaxed and welcoming and the whole place exudes a warm hospitality, exemplified by handmade complimentary truffles and sherry on arrival. Dinners in the restaurant focus on local ingredients prepared with Modern British flair.

Small but sumptuous, this lodging has a modern but distinctly feminine sensibility, with floral wallpaper, pastel decor, and painted woodwork. State-of-the-art contemporary touches such as TVs in the bathrooms and underfloor heating add extra luxury, and two rooms have private terraces. Dig into a generous and tasty breakfast downstairs in Heidi's Cafe.

In a town that overflows with B&Bs, this comfortable town house stands out because of the contemporary flair and pampering touches in its pristinely redesigned and refurbished apartments. Nice features include cherry, elm, oak, or slate floors; natural carpets using local wool; and bespoke wooden furniture by local craftsman Danny Frost. The beds are top-notch, with pocket-sprung mattresses and goose-down pillows and duvets. A fabulous room at the top of the house has views of the mountains from the bath. Breakfasts might include housemade porridge (great preparation for a day on the fells), eggs Benedict, or a full Cumbrian fry-up.

Halfway between Cockermouth and Keswick at the northern end of Bassenthwaite Lake, this traditional 17th-century coaching inn exudes English coziness without the usual Lakeland fussiness. Tasteful, modern bedrooms have soft but comfortable beds and tiled bathrooms with large tubs, and they overlook a garden and 60 acres of forest. The restaurant serves British fare and has a light bites menu during the day. The intimate old bar remains the star of the show, however, and is popular with locals as well as guests.

An outstanding inn and restaurant, the Punch Bowl is a stylish but down-to-earth retreat in the peaceful Lyth Valley, between Windermere and Kendal. The bright, airy bedrooms have high ceilings and lots of sturdy oak beams. Chic fabrics and wallpaper add some flair, and handsome rolltop tubs take pride of place in the wood-paneled bathrooms. Views are over the village church and the fields, and the breakfasts are famously good. The sleek, slate-floored bar serves fine real ales, and you can sample top-notch homemade and locally sourced dishes in the bright, contemporary restaurant or in the traditional bar.

One of the original luxury boutique hotels of the Lakes has all the hallmarks of country elegance and comfort: bold, printed wallpapers and stylish furnishings; huge, soft beds; and roaring fires in the elegant common areas. The crowning achievement, however, is the food at the restaurant; head chef Aaron Lawrence showcases the best seasonal ingredients to create an unforgettable fine dining menu and an exemplary afternoon tea.

With the laid-back friendliness of a B&B and the sophisticated style of a country house, plus a focus on sustainability, Yewfield is a very good value—especially if you can score one of the rooms at the front of the house with a great view across the valley. The smart guest rooms are decorated with imagination and care: think rich fabrics, Indian art, sunken baths. The 19th-century Gothic house, between Hawkshead and Tarn Hows, sits on 80 acres of land, complete with woods and a tarn. Breakfast is wholesome and vegetarian, and evening concerts are a special treat. Check out the good discounts for longer stays and single guests.

It's hard to find a more welcoming spot than this lofty Victorian house right in the center of town, thanks to hosts who know a thing or two about local walks. They'll also supply a packed lunch if you plan to be out exploring all day. Although space is at a premium, the rooms are pleasantly decorated with prints and wood furniture.

Dark carved wood, antique tiles, and a stunning location overlooking Ullswater give Another Place plenty of upscale country-house style, though the hotel manages to be more relaxed than some of its competition; it also has chic modern shepherd huts. The bar has old leather sofas and flocked wallpaper, and there is a grand piano in the lounge. Bedrooms are all individually decorated in a fresh color palette, with sumptuous fabrics, antique furniture, and huge windows pointing toward the lake and fells. The Rampsbeck Restaurant, open to the public, offers a three-course fine-dining menu including dishes such as potted brown shrimp, roasted harlequin squash, and whole charcoal-baked sea bass, as well as afternoon tea. The Glasshouse is a more casual option and has a wood-fired pizza oven. The hotel has plenty of activities and welcomes families. 

A cozy family home less than a mile south of the village, Banerigg House has unfussy, well-appointed rooms, most with lake views. Games and books fill the guest lounge. The simple B&B is walker friendly, which means you get hiking advice from the owners, drying facilities, and a roaring fire when needed.

The welcome is friendly, the breakfast is hearty (salmon fish cakes with poached eggs and a full English breakfast are among the options), and the rooms have patterned wallpaper and heavy, luxurious fabrics at this Victorian terraced house. Purples and browns predominate, and one room has a four-poster. The single room is a very good value. This is one of a cluster of B&Bs on Portland Place, a short walk north of Penrith's center.

Right on Penrith's lively market square is this attractive redbrick hotel, which dates back more than 300 years. The open fireplaces, wood paneling, stained glass, and antiques all add to the atmosphere and sense of history, although the guest rooms are surprisingly modern, with light, bright interiors and large comfortable beds. The lively restaurant and bar downstairs tend to be busy in the afternoons and evenings, and while it's a good place for a drink, you'll be better off dining elsewhere.

Slightly austere on the outside but charming within, this Victorian hotel overlooks the lawns of Hope Park and has updated accommodations with great character, including rooms in the turret and the former chapel. The balconies of the common areas have superb valley views, and some rooms look out to Derwentwater or Skiddaw. The well-regarded restaurant (open to nonguests) has a regularly updated menu of dishes such as locally smoked breast of duck, haunch of venison, and Cumbrian fillet steak. Check out the fine wine list and 25 whiskies in the bar.

With some of the best lake views in the Lake District, this hotel is a large Victorian property right on the edge of Ullswater, with only its own terrace and lawns separating it from the water. It's an idyllic spot, understandably popular for weddings. Many guest rooms have views of Ullswater or Helvellyn. The Lake View Restaurant is open to guests and nonguests, and if you've come down off the mountain and are covered in mud, you'll still be welcome in the Ramblers Bar. In summer you might well want to use the hotel's 9-hole pitch-and-putt golf course and croquet lawn.

One of Windermere's tidiest bed-and-breakfasts, spotless Ivy Bank is in a quiet, leafy part of town. The guest rooms are furnished in traditional style and have views over the rooftops. The owner is a qualified masseuse and aromatherapist and offers treatments to guests. You can use the Old England Spa nearby for a discounted rate.

In the tranquil hamlet of Stonethwaite, the welcoming Langstrath was originally built as a miner's cottage in the 16th century but has expanded into a spacious inn with spacious, unfussy rooms (some with wood beams) with stunning views out to the surrounding countryside and hills. Chunky wooden tables and logs burning on a slate open fire create a perfect base for returning walkers. It has modern touches, too, like music docking stations. Traditional pub food in the bar downstairs is sourced locally, and the menu includes British favorites such as roast lamb, steak-and-ale pie, and Cumberland sausage with whole-grain mustard mash. There are Cumbrian beers, a choice of wines by the glass, and a good selection of whisky.

At this contemporary country house hotel set in 14 acres of gardens and private woodlands, the luxurious guest rooms overlook the grounds and the lake, and many of the suites have their own hot tubs. Guests can also book on-site spa treatments. Chef Simon Rogan has opened his imaginative farm-to-table restaurant Henrock at the hotel, and there's also a lovely light bar and conservatory with an imaginative menu, including a particularly delicious afternoon tea.

Built in 1847, this historic property was originally called "the Grecian Villa,” which gives you an idea of its architectural style, though the rooms and furnishings are more down-to-earth. Its centerpiece is an elegant wood-paneled spiral staircase. No two guest rooms are alike, and they incorporate many of the building's original architectural features as well as modern comforts.

Filling a Victorian building in the heart of Grasmere, the chic and spacious Moss Grove Organic puts an emphasis on its environmental credentials. Private hot tubs, balconies, luxurious duck-down duvets, and flat-screen TVs appear along with reclaimed stained glass, old timbers, and organic clay paints. For a special treat, request the Champagne truffles on arrival.

There's no more comforting stop after a day outdoors than the Hiker's Bar of this 300-year-old hotel at the head of the Great Langdale Valley. The stone floor and wooden beams echo to the clatter of boots, and the roaring, smoky fire rapidly dries out wet walking gear. Thick slabs of flapjack (dense bar cookies) from behind the bar will get you up the surrounding Langdale Pikes, as will the hearty, good-value house-made soup and pies. Guest rooms are decorated with traditional patterned carpets and flowered bed linens, and some have four-poster beds, though the hotel exudes a rougher version of Lakeland life far away from Beatrix Potter quaintness.

Out of the center of Grasmere toward Dunmail Raise (hence the name; it's a mountain pass), this B&B has some of Grasmere’s more stylish rooms and a reputation for hospitality. The cozy rooms feature pleasant views and a touch of old Lakeland chintz. In better weather, sit in the flower-filled gardens to admire the views of the fells.

Built in the 19th century as the shooting lodge for Wray Castle, this upmarket B&B is filled with stylish, imaginative, and playful touches. The large guest rooms use slate and reclaimed timber, and instead of a minibar there's a "boudoir larder" with local beers and cheeses. A three-course breakfast is delivered to your room, and the owners will transport you to their excellent Jumble Room restaurant in Grasmere, should you wish to eat there.

Right on the River Kent, this family- and dog-friendly hotel has airy, modern rooms, many of which have river views. The Riverview Restaurant takes advantage of those views, and the casual Tanners, set in a 17th-century building formerly occupied by leather makers, has a riverside terrace that's ideal for a drink after a day outdoors. The on-site Sanctuary Health and Fitness Club, free to all guests (and available with day passes or memberships to nonguests), includes a hot tub, indoor pool, gym, and fitness classes.  

Converted from what were once the offices of Beatrix Potter's solicitor husband, this Ambleside café and notable bakery has branched out into accommodations, with simple but stylishly furnished rooms decorated with photos of delights from the café next door. Guest rooms have comfy beds and wood floors. The handsome old building has been refurbished in contemporary style, complete with docks for digital devices and free Wi-Fi. And, of course, breakfast is baked fresh next door, where cake is only ever moments away. Also available are three stone cottages for self-catering. 

Named after a classic climbing novel, Rum Doodle is an immaculately and imaginatively designed B&B. Fond attention has clearly been spent on sourcing retro furniture and on the many special and occasionally whimsical touches, from four-poster beds and bowler-hat lights to the special Rum Doodle coffee and prosecco in each of the nine rooms. Guests get fresh homemade cookies in their rooms on arrival, and there are homemade jams, too. Apart from Stornaway black pudding, all the food is locally sourced.