The Top 10 Lake Cottages in the Lake District

The Top 10 Lake Cottages in the Lake District

With babbling brooks and lush ancient forests, the Lake District is the quintessential wild countryside escape. Whether you’re lacing your boots to hit Scafell Pike or looking for quiet contemplation by a lake, cottages are the best to experience Cumbria. Traditional and ornate, you can experience the “good life” that enticed Beatrix Potter to these picturesque parts. Here are our top 10 cottages and country-style hotels for your stay.

1. The Samling 4*

Among the most picturesque hotels in the country, this charming cottage-like hotel is built on 67 acres of pretty grounds. Boasting a highly praised Michelin-starred restaurant, the hotel is furnished with tasteful tartans and period antiques. The intimate bar and outside terrace provide breathtaking views out across Lake Windermere from a gentle hilltop. What's more, there are plentiful country walks and outdoor excursions right from your doorstep.

2. Dale Lodge Hotel

Resting in lush valley foothills, this lodge hotel is a magnet for romantics. Perfectly placed in the heart of Grasmere, you can explore the tranquil waters of River Rothay just moments from your hotel. Take a short stroll to enjoy Wordsworth's former home or visit the much-loved National Trust HQ. With a sophisticated boutique atmosphere, each of the hotel's 12 spacious rooms provides an intimate and restful experience.

3. Appleby Manor 4*

This spectacular Victorian hotel is set within the picturesque Eden Valley. Stay in the cottage-like coach house for a thrilling countryside sojourn. With quick connections into the Lake District, guests also benefit from easy access to the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines. With an award-winning restaurant offering impressive countryside panoramas, it's a romantic, memory-making hotel. It also boasts an opulent spa for post-hiking relaxation.

4. Another Place, The Lake 5*

Set within a gorgeous Georgian Manor, this hotel is positioned within 18 acres of secluded and tranquil grounds. Open your patio doors for immediate access to the shores of Ullswater. This hotel is contemporarily furnished with bright, modernist decor and luxury amenities. With an award-winning restaurant serving up the best in regional produce, it’s the perfect all-in-one getaway. Its pièce de résistance is a heated indoor pool surrounded by full-height glass windows offering panoramas of the stunning landscape.

5. Briery Wood 4*

Escape to the country at this delightful 19th-century hotel. Surrounded by breathtaking fells, lakes and gardens, you're just moments from the shores of Lake Windermere. Inside, you'll find comfortable, contemporary interiors with luxury toiletries. The dining room is another perk, offering full views across manicured lawns for a sophisticated eating experience.

6. Merewood Country House Hotel 4*

Enjoy a country hotel in all senses of the word with this charming manor hotel. Furnished with stunning antiques and hardwood décor, experience four-poster beds and lakeside vistas. The lounge and bar ooze sophistication, with stained glass windows and elegant armchairs to sink into. Head to the dining room for a delectable evening meal with delightful alfresco options in the summer.

7. The Forest Side 4*

This elegant and enchanting countryside hotel is located in the Lake District's most admired village, Grasmere. Walk in the footsteps of Wordsworth and Ruskin before returning to your hotel for a luxurious meal. Boasting a Michelin-starred restaurant, the Forest Side is frequently voted among the best menus in the country. Rooms are delightfully airy, with soft pastel decor and attractive country cottage furnishings.

8. Rothay Garden Hotel & Riverside Spa 4*

Enjoy a modern twist on the country cottage experience with this contemporary hotel. Offering an acclaimed Riverside Spa, guests can enjoy full panoramic views across the region’s famed rolling hills. The hotel itself is among the highest-rated in Grasmere, offering excellent connections to the countryside by foot or boat. Rooms are stylish and modern with pretty garden views and luxury amenities. Guests can relax in the evening with the restaurant’s 2 AA Rosette-awarded menu.

9. Langdale Chase 4*

This sprawling lakeside hotel offers opulent Victorian grounds and sophisticated interiors. Retaining many original hardwood furnishings and a gorgeous balcony and stairway, staying here is like being transported back in time. With four-poster beds and serene views across the lake, rooms are designed to make you feel special. Take a walk along the lake’s edge after dinner or take to the water on a boat trip in the daytime.

10. Macdonald Swan Hotel 3*

This former coaching inn is among Grasmere's most historic hotels. First built in the 17th century, it was frequented by Wordsworth on country pub crawls. Offering excellent walking routes directly from its doors, this hotel is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Rooms have been updated in a chic, contemporary style, with en-suite bathrooms and free, high-speed Wi-Fi. The on-site restaurant offers delightful twists on local classics for the perfect romantic evening.

The Voyage Privé travel expert’s opinion on Lake District cottages in the UK

Escape to the UK's most beloved national park, home to tranquil lakes and the highest peaks in England. Enjoy countless walking and hiking trails to tarns and craggy outcrops, before returning to your cottage hotel for an award-winning meal. If you fancy a rest from all the walking, the Lake District has countless tea rooms, genteel museums and lake-based cruises. With a cottage or country hotel stay, you'll be following in the footsteps of Romantic poets and painters, in a landscape described by Wordsworth as “tranquil sublimity”.