The Lake District Guide

Windermere - The Beech Hill Hotel

This hotel certainly has a glorious setting - no wonder, as all the hotels in the small family group which owns it seem to have been chosen for their spectacular views! With a swimming pool, great food (the hotel has 2 AA rosettes for food - a high accolade indeed) and bedrooms with stunning views, what more could you wish for? Some of the bedrooms have Jacuzzi spas and one or two have king-sized beds. On the shore of Lake Windermere, just a short distance from Bowness.

Phone: 0800 592 295
Web: www.richardsonhotels.co.uk

Windermere - The Famous Wild Boar

Set in the Gilpin valley and named after Sir Richard Gilpin, who famously killed a wild boar nearby, this old coaching inn lives on as a comfortable country style hotel, with a great location and comfortable bedrooms. Run by English Lakes Hotels, a company who certainly know what they're doing when it comes to hotel management.

Crook, Nr Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3NF Reservations: 08458 504 604 Telephone: 015394 45225
Web: www.englishlakes.co.uk

Windermere - Craig Manor

A tasteful and pleasant hotel situated in a wonderful location, overlooking Bowness and Windermere. With a pool and leisure club available nearby, and rooms to suit all tastes, this is a reliable hotel with a good reputation (and a very decent restaurant with a spectacular view).

Lake Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 2JF Phone: 015394 88877 Fax: 015394 88878
Email: info@craigmanor.co.uk Web: www.craigmanor.co.uk

Windermere - Hillthwaite House

This hotel certainly has its fans. In a beautiful location and run by a family who care about what they're doing, this hotel has consistently been praised by our friends and relations for the friendly attitude of the staff, the good food, the comfortable rooms, and the reasonable prices. All too often in the Lakes, small hotels charge too much and the standards are a disappointment. Here at Hillthwaite they have the balance just right, and they are deserving of the success they have achieved. And they have a heated pool and a sauna/steam room.

Thornbarrow Road, Windermere, LA23 2DF
Phone: 015394 43636 Fax: 015394 88660
Email: reception@hillthwaite.com Web: www.hillthwaite.com

Ambleside (Great Langdale) - New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel

An absolute gem of a hotel in the Langdale valley, praised by all who stay there for its comfort, superlative views, fine cooking and general all-round air of relaxed comfort. Truly a hotel to have a wonderful break from the pressures of everyday life.

Great Langdale, Ambleside, LA22 9JY
Phone: 015394 37213 Fax: 015394 37666
E-mail: enquiries@dungeon-ghyll.co.uk Web: www.dungeon-ghyll.co.uk

Ambleside - Cherry Garth

A charming hotel run by two sisters who'll give you a warm welcome and a comfortable bed; some rooms have Jacuzzi spas. A small hotel, so you'll have to find somewhere to eat out in the evening, but with all the attractions of Ambleside close at hand, that shouldn't prove too difficult to arrange!

Old Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DH
Phone: 01539 433128 Fax: 01539 433885
Email: reception@cherrygarth.com Web: www.cherrygarth.com

Grasmere - The Red Lion

This hotel is right in the centre of Grasmere Village, and has served as the base for many of our walking weekends over the years. Each time it has produced the same comfortable rooms, high standard of food, and and good service. It also has a sister hotel owned by the same company - the Salutation Hotel - in Ambleside.

Keswick - The Grange

The Grange Guest House, Keswick, offers fine quality bed and breakfast accommodation on the outskirts of the lovely market town of Keswick.

Since the property was awarded 5 Star Guest House status by both Visit Britain and the AA in August 2010, you can be assured that your stay will be more than comfortable, and you'll be well looked after by Mark and Sally and the whole team.

The wonderful views and location of the Grange, together with the quality of facilities and welcome at this traditional B&B, have attracted returning guests for many years.

There are many facilities which you would expect in a 4 star hotel: ample off-street parking, a superb freshly prepared Cumbrian breakfast, free 24hour wifi access, a comfortable lounge, and a scenic outdoor terrace.

And the house is fully licensed - which makes the prospect of a cold beer or bottle of wine drunk to the sight of the setting sun behind the fells rather delightful after a long day's walking! There's also a lovely lounge in which you can settle down to read or play chess and other games including backgammon.

The bedrooms are spacious and tasteful, beautifully decorated, each furnished with quality bedding and flat screen televisions with digital channels. You can choose from a selection of fair trade drinks in your room, with mineral water and high quality toiletries provided with the owners' compliments. The Grange offers a quiet and relaxing break in good company, with the opportunity to take in local walks and sightseeing. Being near to Keswick allows you to enjoy the town in the evening with only a short walk home!

Howe Keld Hotel is a highly rated property - it has a 4 star rating in both the AA and the Visit Britain rating system - and it's located in one of the loveliest parts of the Lakes, as you can see when you look out from the rooms which face the Northern fells: the view is simply delightful. And, indeed, so are the 15 bedrooms, all of which have ensuite bathrooms equipped with power showers and luxury toiletries. The rooms have been refurbished with obvious taste and good judgement in a cleverly colour coordinated style which is a credit to the family team running the hotel.

In my experience, breakfast can be the weakest point of many hotels, so it's a real pleasure to find a hotel like Howe Keld, where breakfast is not so much a meal as a feast. There's a huge choice from the cold buffet, including bread and rolls made from local stoneground wholemeal flour; and if that isn't enough to satisfy you, there's a superb choice of high quality local produce - bacon, Cumbrian sausage, free range eggs, and so on. These high standards are easy to understand when you learn that the proprietors David and Valerie have been associated with the hospitality industry for many years, including venues such as Sharrow Bay, Gravetye Manor and the finest vegetarian restaurant chain in London - 'Cranks'. In summary, the outstanding hospitality from warm hearted hosts, the superb location and the spacious, tasteful rooms make this one of the finest properties in this part of the Lakes. Bear in mind that Keswick is the ideal base for touring the North lakes, especially Derwent water and the northern Lake District fells.

Howe Keld Lakeland Hotel, 5-7 The Heads, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5ES
Phone / Fax: 017687 72417 Freephone: 0800 783 0212
Email: david@howekeld.co.uk Web: www.howekeld.co.uk

The hotel looks out over the Lake District mountains, and is only a few minutes from 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

Keswick - The Skiddaw Hotel

Another of our favourite hotels, run by English Lakes Hotels Limited, which has a second property in Keswick, and another in Borrowdale, this is a reliable, conveniently located hotel which has recently been refurbished and fulfills the expectations of travellers looking for comfort and style at a reasonable price.

Main Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5BN
Phone: 01768 772071 Fax: 01768 774850
Email: skiddawhotel@lakedistricthotels.net Web: www.lakedistricthotels.net

Ullswater - The Inn On The Lake

Owned by the same group as the hotel above, the Inn on the Lake occupies a beautiful spot on the shore of Ullswater.

Ullswater, Glenridding, Cumbria, CA11 0PE Phone: 017684 82444 Fax: 017684 82303
Email: innonthelake@lakedistricthotels.net
Web: www.lakedistricthotels.net

Borrowdale, near Keswick - The Borrowdale Hotel

This is a peaceful spot, with a lot of charm and an undoubted feel of quality in the hotel facilities. The staff are helpful and practical. The six course silver service dinner is well worth a try. If you like the ambience of a family run hotel, being surrounded by friendly staff, an atmosphere which comes from long-term continued ownership and a happy environment, this is certainly a hotel worth trying.

The Borrowdale Hotel, Borrowdale Valley, Near Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5UY
Phone: 017687 77224 Fax: 017687 77338
Email: info@theborrowdalehotel.co.uk Web: www.theborrowdalehotel.co.uk