Cumbria’s hotels range from the painstakingly ecological to the unrestrainedly luxurious. Most take full advantage of the stunning Cumbrian landscape, whilst paying equal attention to their rooms, restaurants and, yes, hot tubs. Here’s our guide to the best.
Grasmere is the cultural heart of the Lake District, largely thanks to William Wordsworth wandering lonely as a cloud around here back in the early 19th century. These days the village revolves around tourism, full of open-top buses and camera-wielding day-trippers. And while there are plenty of pleasant little B&Bs and private cottages, it sorely lacked a top-quality hotel. Not anymore. Hotelier Andrew Wildsmith has spent over £4m renovating a fairytale Victorian Manor which opened to the public in early 2016. It’s something of an understatement to say it’s money well spent.
Famed for personalising your visit in advance, The Samling is at the higher end of Cumbria’s hotel offerings – it even boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant. Situated in 67 acres of land, with contemporary art works dotted about its gardens, this hotel commands lake views, a kitchen garden and a wide range of luxury rooms.
Lawson Park Farm Cottage near Coniston is stylish holiday accomodation indeed. Winner of a prestigious Royal Institution of British Architecture Award it combines eco-features with interior artworks to deliver a quirky yet luxurious self-catering get away. Originally part of John Ruskin’s estate at Brantwood, the setting is stunning – inside and out – in its own gardens and with views across the Crake Valley to the Coniston Fells.
The independent and award-winning Trout Hotel sits on the bank of the River Derwent in Cockermouth, which is pretty much as idyllic and relaxing a setting as you can get. Inside, you’ll find good, old fashioned service and a welcome attention to detail; it’s run by an enthusiastic team who go out of their way to make visitors feel at home.
Bisoi B&B commands a globally loyal clientele and staggeringly high satisfaction rates. Situated in the picturesque village of Braithwaite, outside Keswick, the B&B offers just two individually designed suites with stunning views over the Lakeland fells. Best of all, home baked biscuits or cake are available daily.
Dramatic landscapes and beautiful wilderness surround this Michelin awarded restaurant and hotel.
Gilpin Lake House is a stunning Lake District getaway, hosting just 16 guests on 100 acres of private grounds, with its own lake.
In a picturesque nook of Cumbria’s Eden Valley, Askham Hall offers luxury accommodation in a historic country house just outside of Penrith.
Close to the centre of Penrith, Bank House is a stylish family-run bed and breakfast, in a Victorian house with a traditional garden.
You’ll find cosy rooms and a welcoming bar and restaurant serving down-home cuisine. Located in the centre of Kendal near all major attractions.
A vast hotel housed partly in a fascinating former industrial building, the Riverside looks directly over the River Kent.
Set in the countryside five minutes outside of Kendal itself, but still within easy reach, the Castle Green promises a relaxing city break.
The Swan Hotel in Newby Bridge is a boutique hotel with quirky rooms and cottages, based at the tip of Lake Windermere in the Lake District.
Award-winning and wonderfully unique boutique hotel at the heart of the Lake District.
A luxurious four star hotel in Grasmere, in the heart of the Lake District.
Lake District accommodation that manages to be luxurious and environmentally friendly at the same time.
Cosy hotel in the Lake District.
It was good enough for Wordsworth and Wainwright... From Kendal in the south to Carlisle in the north, we sniff out the best bookish shenanigans in Cumbria.
A selection of some of most rewarding and beautiful walks in Penrith, full of chances to catch open air and natural attraction.
A round-up of the best walks in Kendal, including the town centre, official tours and the surrounding area by Creative Tourist.
Cumbria is studded with fantastic museums - read our picks of the best here.
Ranging from impressive, nationally-significant collections in Grade listed buildings, to historic houses that now have a particular focus on local, contemporary artists, here's our guide to Cumbria's collection of art galleries.
Cumbria is far from short of good places to eat – here’s our guide to restaurants to put on your map of the area.
When the sun goes down and you've had your fair share of Cumbria's great outdoors, head to the area's music venues to catch folk and jazz sessions, as well as regular performances by touring musicians.
For striking performances in the truly beautiful setting of the Lake District - check out our pick of theatres in Cumbria.
Looking for the finest luxury multi-course restaurants in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best tasting menus in the city - just make sure you have deep pockets.
Our guide to the best things to do in the Cumbria and the Lake District, including Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, Keswick and Cockermouth.
Take me there
Keep warm with festive feasts, Hollywood stars and 90s nostalgia across the North's cinemas this December.
Provocative new writing, glitzy burlesque and big budget shows, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.
It might be curl-up-with-a-book season, but there's lots to get out and about for and plenty of events where you can stock up on new reads.
Spotlighting global artists who all, in one way or another, break the mould, we preview the best gigs happening this side of Christmas and beyond.
Festive frolics, monstrous theatre and magical outdoor adventures all feature in our latest picks of things to do with the family.
While rainy late autumn may not be the most energising of seasons, there is plenty of new art to see and inspire this month!
We're unapologetically entering into the Christmas spirit here at Tours and Activities with some alternative festive fun.
The best food and drink options in Manchester and the North for the upcoming winter months.
