Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa: a heavenly escape in the Lake District
Where
Set on the side of the majestic Bassenthwaite Lake in the northern part of the Lake District, the residence sits within a heavenly rolling green 400 acres of private woodland and a deer park. From London, take the train to Keswick, which is around a half hour drive away, or Penrith.
Style
The Hall was originally built in the 16th Century, with elements added and extended throughout the centuries since. The main building is a grand old girl, with sweeping central staircase, plenty of wood paneling and rich, heritage interiors, with a satisfying amount of homely, plush sofa scattered throughout the downstairs drawing rooms to relax on.
Which room
Definitely try and plump for the rooms in the oldest, central part of the house. They’re up the grand staircase and come fully equipped with historical splendour, think hefty chesterfield-backed beds, sweeping floor to ceiling folds of curtains and impressive fireplaces. Downstairs in the modern extension you’ll find the garden suites which come with their own personal outside terrace areas, which in good weather are ideal for looking out over blue skies.
Facilities
The modern spa is glorious. With a 16m main pool, shallow 1m pool which is ideal for young children, as well as a spacious outdoor hot tub, which is the perfect spot for staring into the verdant garden grounds. In the early morning you can quietly relax watching rabbits spring about in the grass. Bucolic, and frankly just what Beatrix Potter intended.
Back inside there’s a full suite with hydrotherapy pool, steam room, sauna and hot and cold showers. As well as a fully equipped gym and dance studio. There are ten treatment rooms so do book in, the CBD massage is complete bliss.
Food & drink
Breakfast is held in the Lake View Restaurant — which does exactly what you’d think — offer a sumptuous backdrop out into that seductive garden and lake. The food is excellent, with the usual continental offer alongside delicious cooked plates all included (of which there is no limit to ordering, so do be encouraged to order the pancakes as a follow up for the table).
The star turn is the restaurant at lunch and dinner, with its modern British menu. Think king scallops with miso glazed pork belly, Cumbrian lamb loin and confit followed by generous and mouthwatering deserts — the chocolate hazelnut crémeaux comes particularly recommended. The food here is impressive and a real treat. For fans of classic English afternoon tea, head to the bar area downstairs to indulge.
Extracurricular
You are of course deep in the Lakes. Depending on your levels of keen outdoorsiness you can take a fairly easy two-hour walk around Bassenthwaite from the hotel, through paths and across fields of sheep and the like, along a river which brings you along to the majestic Lake itself.
For the more adventurous and experienced fell walkers, there’s plenty of hills to climb and paddle-boarding to be done too. The hotel has guided tours and information on routes. You’re also bang next door to the Wildlife Park which is perfect for kids and Alpaca-fans alike. The estate also offers archery, clay pigeon shooting, wild swimming as well as forest and moon bathing.
Best for
Frankly if all you want to do is hole up, enjoy the spa and food on offer this is gorgeous retreat to indulge in. But equally if you want to stretch out and break into the beauty of the northern Lakes then you’re in a great spot to set off and explore. A quiet gem.
Rooms from £220; nearest train station, Penrith, armathwaite-hall.com
