In short… A charming country retreat in the heart of the Lake District—nestled between mountains, lakes, hiking trails, forests and culture at its doorstep. Dog friendly, food and attention to detail reign supreme here.
The surroundings… Rothay Manor is located in Ambleside, a charming lakeside town in England’s Lake District. The town is full of gift, craft and outdoor-clothing shops. The hotel is a great base for a walking trip, and it’s a hop, skip and a jump to Lake Windermere for paddleboarding, sailing and wakeboarding.
The look & feel… Rothay is a Grade II listed hotel with a beautiful black-and-white Regency facade, unique to the traditional Lake District landscape of slate. The hotel was recently refurbished by English husband and wife team Jamie & Jenna Shail, who are avid outdoors people and hospitality aficionados having run ski chalets in France for most of their careers.
The rooms… I stayed in the newly renovated Pavilion that feels reminiscent of the owner’s chalet days in structure and vibe, with features like wooden beams and a lodge-like entrance. The room was kitted out with a luxury bathroom including a rain shower and clawfoot tub. The room has rich jewel colors with a dark forest green that creates a moody atmosphere fitting for being in the woods. I loved the large sliding glass balcony doors that provided so much natural light.
The food & drink…Before dinner, I went for a cocktail in the sitting room and had one of the best mezcal margaritas I’ve had north of London. For dinner, I opted for the 3-course menu, but you can also order a la carte. Each plate is beautifully presented and features local ingredients like wild garlic. As a starter, I had Isle of Wight heritage tomatoes and lamb for my main. Dessert was a vanilla duck egg custard featuring Yorkshire rhubarb. Of course, the evening ended with a selection of British cheese from the trolley with crackers, chutney and honeycomb.
I also recommend ordering breakfast in bed if you’re staying in the Pavilion, so you don’t have to walk across to the main building. As someone who doesn’t have a TV at home or ever have breakfast in bed, it’s my ultimate pleasure to do it at least once while on holiday. I had scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh coffee. You can also pop down to the dining room if you prefer a sit-down breakfast.
The activities… I had planned for this to be a walking-focused trip, given the famous Lake District fells (aka mountains). But I also went paddle boarding one morning on Lake Windermere, which the hotel helped organize. I always find paddleboarding provides another vantage point for seeing a place from another perspective. For the hike, I did a loop from the hotel to Loughrigg Fells for a 1,490-foot climb, with great views of Lake Windermere. Upon returning to the hotel, it was nice to come back for a soak in the tub and some cream tea.
Be sure to…Venture a 10-minute drive north to the town of Grasmere—you can get a Wordsworth fix at Dove cottage, where the poet wrote most of his great works, and try the famous gingerbread cookies at Grasmere Gingerbread.
The logistics… I came from London and found the travel easy. You can have the hotel organize a taxi for you if you don’t want to rent a car, as all the hikes are accessible and there’s plenty to do from the hotel as a base. However, I did like having the freedom a car gave me, as I was able to be a bit more spontaneous and venture further into the area.
Parting words…Drop your phone and hunker into Rothay Manor for a few days to soak up the nature and peace that the Lake District has to offer.
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