Region · England
Where to stay in The Lake District
Mountains, meres and the most romantic country houses in the north.
The Lake District packs England's highest fells and deepest lakes into a single national park, and it has the hotels to match. This is the home of the lakeside country house, the spa lodge with a private hot tub, and the kind of cooking that turns a walking holiday into a food one.
Windermere and Ambleside make the easiest first base. Go further west or north for wilder valleys and quieter water.
The shortlist
Best places to stay in The Lake District
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
A family-run benchmark for Lakeland luxury, with spa suites, Michelin-level cooking and the separate, adults-only Lake House.
Langdale Chase
A restored Victorian house on the shore of Windermere, with individually styled rooms and some of the best lake views in Cumbria.
Best areas to stay in The Lake District
Windermere & Bowness. The classic base: lake cruises, rail access and the county's best luxury hotels.
Ambleside & Grasmere. Walking country and Wordsworth villages, central for the fells.
Ullswater & the north. Quieter, dramatic, for those who want the lake to themselves.
Getting there & around
Train. Trains to Oxenholme then the branch line to Windermere; around 3 hours from London Euston.
Car & transport. A car gives the most freedom, but Windermere station and lake launches cover a surprising amount.
Car-free. Use Windermere station, the lake launches and the cross-lake buses. Several hotels arrange transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best base in the Lake District?
Windermere and Ambleside are the easiest first bases, with the widest choice of hotels and good transport. Ullswater suits those wanting somewhere quieter.
Can you do the Lake District by train?
Yes. Reach Windermere by rail, then use lake launches and local buses. Many country-house hotels offer transfers from the station.
When should you visit?
Autumn for colour and atmosphere, late spring for the longest, lightest days.