The Lake District isn't just about energetic outdoor activities on the hills or on the water. It can also be a place to just sit back and pamper yourself at a spa. In fact, some of the best hotels in the area combine treatments and relaxation areas with breathtaking views, whether of lakes and hilltops or peaceful forests. Some spas offer customized products, others have well-known luxury brands; some are close to popular hotspots such as Grasmere and Lake Windermere, others are tucked away on private estates. So whether you want to slip into a hot tub after a long walk or simply enjoy the scenery, here's our pick of the best spa hotels in the Lake District.
How we assess
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, usually hosted free of charge. They stay at least one night, test at least one meal and try other experiences the hotel may have to offer.
The best spa hotels in the Lake District at a glance
Not many hotels can top off a relaxing spa treatment with an hour of floating in a heated rooftop pool, surrounded by the bleak contours of the hills, the calls of owls and the moon above. But Brimstone is not like many other hotels; this modern, luxurious and seriously impressive place is part of the picturesque Langdale Estate. From candlelit massages and a range of body treatments to the spa's beautifully designed network of foot baths, ice showers, steam relaxation rooms and saunas, it's a true haven for those seeking escape and pampering. And nothing beats the indoor and outdoor pool on the roof in the evening, especially when there is a fresh cocktail waiting for you with your bathrobe. All this makes it one of the best spa hotels in the Lake District.
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The Langdale Hotel is also part of the Langdale Estate and shares the spa at Brimstone (see above). Thanks to the hilly ground and the way the individual, low slate buildings are hidden among the trees, plus a series of small streams, it feels natural rather than intrusive. The interior, on the other hand, is bright and hip - think leather banquettes and velvet-covered chairs, designer lamps, clubby-style bedrooms and cool shades of teal, dove gray and moss green. Exceptions to the latter are the top-level rooms: secluded Scandinavian-style rooms with balconies overlooking the stream, or sexy, bling-adjacent features like double slipper baths and six-foot-wide beds.
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Armathwaite Hall, which has stood on this site in one form or another since the 11th century, is set in 1,000 acres of gardens, a deer park and private woodland, and overlooks Bassenthwaite Lake. The spa is excellent, with an indoor pool, hot tub and thermal suite, while the outdoor infinity pool overlooks manicured gardens and really accentuates the sense of extravagance: you are welcome to relax there with a glass of champagne. Beauty treatments are divine using bespoke, locally sourced products, and then guests are tucked under the covers in the relaxation room for as long as they like. Outside there are woodland walks, a croquet lawn, a helipad and a tennis court.
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With its prime position overlooking Derwentwater and the Skiddaw and Catbells Hills, this dog-friendly, Grade II listed hotel has been brought into the 21st century with a chic spa and Asian dining option without losing the charm of its more traditional rooms, lounges and restaurant. The slate Victorian building, with its central tower and soaring facades, has been extensively extended, with the new spa and suites housed in a striking lodge-style building. It's certainly impressive, with its thermal suite, champagne bar and outdoor hydrotherapy pool overlooking the lake, but note that two hours of entry will set you back £30 every Monday to Friday (or £35 Friday to Sunday) costs, unless you stay at the hotel. a spa suite.
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Another Place is inspired by its popular sister property Watergate Bay in Cornwall, nicknamed 'a ski resort on the beach', which is mainly aimed at families and younger adults. The easy-living, yet stylish and attractive decor, with good local wall art, plus plenty of sofas, armchairs and spacious tables for dining or board games, perfectly embodies the building's Georgian origins while appealing to young people. , sporty clientele. Facilities include a fantastic 20 meter glass fronted indoor swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, gym and a number of spa treatment rooms. Water sports options include stand-up paddle boarding, sailing (from the sailing school across the lake), kayaking and wild swimming.
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A hotel in Lake Windermere that has now grown into a modern resort with water sports and a spa. As a 'resort hotel' it suits guests whether they want to relax, be active or have fun with the whole family. The hip spa, with thermal experience, overlooks the lake (although entry is extra depending on which room you've booked, unless you have a specific spa package), while the leisure center (free) has a gym, indoor and outdoor overflow includes swimming pools and an outdoor sauna. There are several lounge areas for relaxation. Rooms are spread across the original coaching inn, a courtyard block behind, the leisure center complex and a chic glass and slate building on the slopes to the rear.
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After a hard day walking the hills, the Daffodil's sleek, modern spa is a welcome respite. It's minimalist in style, with lots of clean edges, brushed concrete, abstract art and monochrome tiles, and makes maximum use of mood lighting to set the soothing tone, from candle lanterns to fiber optics. The centerpiece is a sparkling thermal pool that's ideal for relaxing any aches and pains, but there's also a sauna, steam room and tepidarium (which is a bit like a sauna, but warm instead of hot). A range of treatments are on offer, including Mud Rasul - a Middle Eastern therapy that combines a mud wrap, sauna and shower - and luxury cleansing products from Germaine de Capuccini.
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The Gilpin is all about relaxing - especially at the Lake House - and with private hot tubs and saunas, Michelin-starred restaurants and legions of staff, the property is firmly in the indulgent getaway category. In the Lake House's Swedish-style Jetty Spa room, therapists offer aromatherapy treatments from a wooden hut overlooking the water (try a hot stone ritual in the early evening, as the mists roll in), as well as a range of massages , facials, manicures and pedicures. For something a little more private, the chic, freestanding glass and wood spa lodges have their own spa facilities and are well worth a visit. Elsewhere, fishing, horse riding, mountain biking, paintballing and treasure hunts can be organised.
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The Swan's spa used to be a small but beautiful affair, tucked away on the first floor, but in April 2022 a new space was launched on the ground floor that offers so much more than the original. Treatments range from restorative rituals with scalp massages and Gua Sha techniques to moisturizing facials and volcanic stone body scrubs. Afterwards, guests can relax in the super stylish relaxation room or enjoy a thermal journey to enjoy the vitality pool, steam room, Finnish sauna, sensory showers, plunge buckets and spa pools (two hours access to the thermal suite plus spa garden costs GBP 20 per guest) . You could stroll around here all day; When not enjoying the spa, there are plenty of local walks and those who want to relax whilst watching the activities at the nearby marina can enjoy a drink on the riverside terrace that overlooks it.
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This is a place that upholds old-fashioned hotel standards and is well suited to a weekend getaway, especially with its leisure centre, spa and treatment rooms. At the heart of the spa you will find an indoor pool with beautiful views over the lake, as well as a hot tub, steam room and sauna. Treatments at the Aveda spa range from Swedish massages and an exfoliating 'Aqua therapy polish' to traditional facials and a 30-minute foot treatment designed to put spring back in your step. There are numerous corners where you can daydream while reading the newspaper, although most guests are drawn to the conservatory and lakeside terrace. Elsewhere, rooms are spacious and there is a choice of formal or more relaxed dining.
