Our Stay at Gilpin Hotel and Lake House
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House gives you two completely different Lake District experiences. Autumn is a beautiful time to visit, with the trees turning gold around the lake and the fells looking their most dramatic.
Paul and I spent our first night in a Spa Suite at the picturesque Lake House and our second in a Spa Suite at the main Gilpin Hotel, a mile up the road. After more than a decade living in Europe and visiting 37+ countries, we have reviewed a lot of luxury hotels. Few have been as much fun as Gilpin, where llamas photo bombed our pictures and three pot-bellied pigs greeted us in the grounds.
The story behind Gilpin
Gilpin is family-owned and a member of Relais & Châteaux and Pride of Britain Hotels. John and Christine Cunliffe bought John’s grandmother’s former estate in 1987 and transformed what was then a five-bedroom B&B into a luxury hotel.
Today the hotel is run by their son Barney and his wife Zoë. Their other son, Ben, is an architect who has driven many of the developments, including the Lake House, which opened in 2010.
That family feel runs through everything. The staff are warm and relaxed, and nothing is ever stiff or formal.
Why stay at both properties?
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House are run as one estate, so you can split your stay between them. We loved having a night of total seclusion by the water, followed by a night at the livelier main hotel with its restaurants, gardens and animals.
If you are planning a romantic Lake District break or a special celebration, we would recommend doing exactly what we did.
Night One: Gilpin Lake House Spa Suite
Gilpin Lake House is the quieter, more secluded half of Gilpin. It has just six bedrooms and two Spa Suites and sits in 100 acres of private grounds around its own lake, Knipe Tarn.
We arrived at 2:30pm and were given a tour of the house before checking in to the stunning Knipe Spa Suite. With so few rooms, it feels more like staying in a private country home than a hotel.
Facilities at Gilpin Lake House
As well as the private spa in our suite, the Lake House has excellent shared facilities for its guests. The Lake House Jetty Spa boasts an indoor heated swimming pool and a sauna, plus two outdoor hot tubs in the grounds.
With only six bedrooms and two Spa Suites on the estate, the pool and hot tubs never feel busy. The Lake House spa facilities are exclusively available for guests staying there. It is a wonderful place for a lazy afternoon swim before dinner.
Spa treatment rooms are also available at the Lake House if you want to book a massage or facial during your stay. The Jetty Spa Trail sounds particularly tempting, with a private swim in the pool, sauna with iced fruit frappé and salt scrub shower, followed by an aromatherapy massage, private cream tea in the boat house and champagne in the hot tub.
Inside our Lake House Spa Suite
The Lake House has two Spa Suites, and each one is around 100 square metres. We stayed in the Knipe Suite, which felt more like a private apartment than a hotel room.
The decor is elegant and calm, with soft natural tones that let the views do the talking. There is a generous lounge area, a beautiful bedroom, study with a massage chair, walk in closet and a spacious bathroom area.
The toiletries are by Pure Lakes, a locally made Lake District brand, which I loved as a thoughtful touch.
A private spa just for two
What makes these suites special is the private spa. Both Lake House Spa Suites have a deep Japanese bath, a steam room which also doubles as a shower, a state-of-the-art massage chair, and an outdoor cedarwood hot tub and sauna.
Having all of this to ourselves meant no timings, no booking slots and no other guests. It is the ultimate way to switch off after a journey.
Our huge terrace overlooking the lake
The highlight of the suite for us was our huge terrace overlooking Knipe Tarn. We spent a long time out there simply watching the water and the woodland around it.
The cedarwood hot tub and sauna sit outside, so you can move from the heat straight into the fresh Lake District air. It is the kind of view that makes you put your phone down.
Walking around the lake
We also enjoyed a walk around part of the lake in the grounds. It was calm, green and completely peaceful, the kind of quiet you rarely find a few hours from London.
The path takes you through woodland and along the water’s edge, with lovely views back to the house.
Dinner at Gilpin Spice
In the evening we had dinner at Gilpin Spice, Gilpin’s relaxed pan-Asian restaurant at the main hotel. The tapas-style plates created by Head Chef Ralph Rojas and team are made for sharing, which suited us perfectly.
The atmosphere is buzzy and informal, a nice contrast to the stillness of the Lake House. There’s a private dining room and chefs’ counter dining as well as the usual table seating.
Jerome, the attentive Restaurant Manager, gave us some great food recommendations. We particularly enjoyed the tuna tacos, prawn curry, wagyu tataki and octopus. They’re not overly spicy, so don’t let the Gilpin Spice name scare you!
We accompanied our meal with some delicious Asian inspired mocktails, and there’s also a great selection of wines and spirits.
Breakfast in our Spa Suite
The next morning we had breakfast served in our suite rather than heading to the restaurant. Starting the day slowly in our robes, looking out over the lake, was a real treat.
Via the handy app, we ordered pastries, a Croque Monsieur, cereal and fruit. It was all delicious and beautifully presented. The charge for room service is £10 per tray.
Night Two: Gilpin Hotel Spa Suite
After a leisurely morning, we checked out of the Lake House at 11am and moved a mile up the road to Gilpin Hotel. We spent some time reading in the cosy living room and then checked in to our Gilpin Hotel Spa Suite in the afternoon.
The main hotel is set in 21 acres of gardens, woodland and moors, with 30 rooms, two restaurants and a guest Spa Space. It feels somewhat more sociable than the Lake House, but your room or suite is still a completely private hideaway.
Facilities at Gilpin Hotel
The main hotel has its own Spa Space, which is open to all hotel guests, not just those in Spa Suites. It has two outdoor hot tubs, a steam room, relaxation room and treatment rooms. There are a number of bookable spa experiences and mini spa trails such as Thermal Spa and Spice, which includes a salt and oil scrub and mud rasul experience, together with exclusive use of the cedarwood hot tubs, a glass of Champagne and bento box lunch.
Treatments use ESPA and locally made Pure Lakes products. If you are staying in one of the hotel’s standard rooms, the Spa Space is a great way to get a taste of Gilpin’s wellness side. It is also open to non-residents who have booked a treatment in advance.
The hotel also has two restaurants, Michelin-starred SOURCE and the relaxed pan-Asian Gilpin Spice, plus a bar and cosy lounges for relaxing with a book.
Inside our Gilpin Hotel Spa Suite
There are just five Spa Suites at the hotel, each around 100 square metres and named after a Cumbrian river. The design blends indoors and outdoors beautifully, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a lightwell filled with hanging plants that creates a little indoor garden.
The open-plan living space has a lounge and dining area with a hanging fireplace, plus a bar area with its own wine fridge. At the other end is a huge circular stone bath, a cedarwood double walk-in shower and a striking vanity unit with ferns set into it, supported by tree trunks.
The bedroom sits at one end of the suite and appears to float over the water, with views out towards the mountains. Floor-to-ceiling glass keeps the outdoors in view from almost every corner.
Our private deck overlooking a private pond
Our favourite space was the private deck overlooking our own private pond. This particular Spa Suite opens onto a south-facing decked garden with a sunken stone hot tub, fountain water features and a living wall of ferns, sheltered by a curved Lakeland stone wall.
Sitting out on the deck with the sound of the fountains and the pond in front of us was incredibly peaceful. It feels completely secluded, even though you are just steps from the main hotel.
The private spa room
Each Spa Suite also has its own private spa room with a steam room, a sauna, an infrared lounge bed and an automated massage chair. It’s like having a small day spa built into your suite.
There’s a spa basket containing some lovely products that you can use whilst staying at the Gilpin, such as rosehip facial oil and gua-sha, warming muscle and joint balm, and a salt scrub. All these products can be purchased if you wish to take them away with you.
Everything is there whenever you want it, with no bookings and no other guests. It is the most complete spa setup we have seen inside a hotel suite.
In-room spa treatment
At 4:45pm two therapists came to our suite for a couples in-room spa treatment. Gilpin’s treatments use ESPA and Pure Lakes products, and being able to stay wrapped in a robe and relax afterwards, rather than walking back from a spa, is pure luxury.
I have to admit that I fell asleep several times, it was so relaxing! Afterwards, Paul and I felt revitalized and our skin was super smooth.
Meeting the resident llamas, alpacas and pigs
The llamas and alpacas in the grounds stole the show. They came to the field next to our suite each morning, then moved on around the grounds.
Gilpin also has three resident pot-bellied pigs. They were a lovely surprise at a luxury country house hotel, and a reminder that Gilpin never takes itself too seriously.
Slightly Perfect in the cosy lounge
We spent a happy time in the hotel’s cosy lounge, reading the book “Slightly Perfect” by the late John Cunliffe, Gilpin’s founder. Reading his story inside the house that he created made the stay feel personal.
It gave us a real sense of the care and ambition behind the hotel, and how it grew from a small B&B into one of the Lake District’s best-known luxury retreats.
Dinner at Michelin-starred SOURCE
Dinner was at 7:45pm at SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel, which has held a Michelin star since 2018. As the team suggests, we arrived early for a drink in the bar for pre-dinner drinks and snacks first.
The cooking by Head Chef Kevin Scanlan and team celebrates local Cumbrian produce, and the two adjacent dining rooms are intimate with warm, low lighting. We had the SOURCE 7 course tasting menu at £145 per person, and there’s also the ORIGIN 4 course tasting menu at £115 per person. Both menus offer a choice of dishes.
Each dish was a delight, beautifully presented and bursting with flavour. Cornish blue fin tuna was followed by sweetbread for Paul and agnolotti for me, then Cornish sea bass with razor clams.
Next, we enjoyed Cumbrian beef for Paul and venison for me, followed by one of our favourite courses: fennel with green strawberry, yoghurt and toasted hay. Desserts were another highlight, with blackberry, chiso and olive oil for me and Jivara milk chocolate with stout and toasted buckwheat for Paul.
We finished in style with petits fours, coffee and tea in the lounge. To accompany our meal we both chose a glass of red wine, although many diners opt for the taster pairing at £95 or the premium pairing at £195.
Breakfast in our Spa Suite
On our final morning we again chose breakfast in our suite. I enjoyed the Eggs Benedict, whilst Paul tucked into a hearty full English. Eating looking out at the greenery was a lovely way to end the stay.
We checked out at 11am and spent the rest of the morning at leisure before our taxi back to Oxenholme.
Lake House vs Gilpin Hotel Spa Suites
Both Spa Suites are around 100 square metres with a private spa, but each has its own personality. The Lake House suite is all about the lake view, while the hotel suite wraps you in a private water garden.
There are a number of other room categories available at both properties, including Classic Rooms, Master Rooms, Junior Suites, Garden Suites and Spa Lodges at Gilpin Hotel and Classic Rooms, Master Rooms and Superior Rooms at the Lake House.
| Feature | Lake House Spa Suite | Gilpin Hotel Spa Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Size | About 100 m² | About 100 m² |
| Number of Spa Suites | 2 | 5 |
| Outdoor space | Huge terrace overlooking the lake | Wooden deck overlooking a private pond |
| Hot tub | Outdoor cedarwood hot tub | Sunken stone hot tub on the deck |
| Private spa | Steam room, sauna | Steam room, sauna, infrared massage bed |
| Massage chair | Yes, automated | Yes, automated |
| Bathroom | Deep oval bath, shower in the steam room | Circular stone bath, cedarwood double shower |
| Best for | Seclusion and lake views | Design lovers and easy access to the restaurants |
Gilpin Lake House or Gilpin Hotel: Which Is Right for You?
Both properties offer the same warm Gilpin hospitality, but they suit different kinds of trips. Here is how I would choose between them.
Gilpin Lake House is best for groups, weddings and total seclusion
With just six bedrooms in 100 acres of private grounds, the Lake House is ideal for groups of friends or family. It is also available for exclusive hire, so you can have the whole house, lake and spa to yourselves.
It is a popular wedding venue too, and it is easy to see why. The house, the lake and the jetty make a beautiful backdrop for photos and an intimate celebration.
The Lake House is also where you book afternoon tea, served in the lounge overlooking the lake. It is a lovely treat even if you are staying at the main hotel, and in the festive season it comes with mulled wine.
Couples who want peace and privacy above all else will love it here. There is no restaurant buzz or passing traffic, just the lake, the woodland and the quiet.
Gilpin Hotel is best for foodies, couples and first-time visitors
Gilpin Hotel has two on-site restaurants, Michelin-starred SOURCE and the relaxed pan-Asian Gilpin Spice. If dining is a big part of your trip, staying here means both are just a short walk from your room.
With 30 rooms ranging from Classic Rooms to Spa Lodges and Spa Suites, the hotel suits a wider range of budgets. The Spa Space, open to all hotel guests, means everyone gets a taste of Gilpin’s wellness side.
The high-tech massage chairs
One of our favourite surprises was the high-tech automated massage chair in each suite at both properties. Paul and I had never tried one before, and we were both hooked.
We used them at both properties, and they were the perfect reset after the train journey and our walk around the lake. If you have never tried one, make sure you do.
Breakfast in your suite
At both properties we chose breakfast in our Spa Suite rather than the restaurant. Breakfast is served from 8am to 10:30am, and having it in the suite gave us lazy, unhurried mornings. There’s a £10 tray charge for room service, which we feel is well worth it.
It is also the more sociable of the two, with cosy lounges, a bar and the llamas, alpacas and pigs in the grounds. For a first visit to Gilpin, or a romantic break with great food, this is the one I would choose.
Our verdict: stay at both
If you can, split your stay as we did. A night of seclusion at the Lake House followed by a night of fine dining at the hotel gives you the best of both worlds.
Things to Do in the Lake District Near The Gilpin
The Gilpin is ideally placed for exploring the southern Lake District, with Windermere, Bowness and Kendal all a short drive away. If you can add an extra day to your stay, these are the experiences I would put at the top of the list.
Cruise on Windermere
Windermere is England’s largest lake, and the best way to see it is with a boat trip. Windermere Lake Cruises sails all year from Bowness, with routes north to Ambleside and south to Lakeside.
The Red Cruise from Bowness to Ambleside takes in the most dramatic mountain scenery. For a full day on the water, a 24-hour Freedom of the Lake® ticket lets you hop on and off at every pier.
Explore Bowness-on-Windermere
Bowness is the lively lakeside village closest to Gilpin. It is a lovely place to wander, with cafes, independent shops and the busy piers where the lake cruises depart.
Families and Beatrix Potter fans will enjoy The World of Beatrix Potter attraction in the village, which brings her much-loved characters to life.
Visit Blackwell, the Arts & Crafts House
Blackwell is a short drive from Gilpin and a must for design lovers. Designed by M H Baillie Scott and completed in 1900, it is a Grade I listed house and one of the UK’s finest examples of Arts and Crafts architecture.
Nothing is roped off, so you can sit in the window seats and inglenook fireplaces and enjoy the views over Windermere. There is also a tea room for cake and coffee.
Walk up Orrest Head
For the best view with the least effort, walk up Orrest Head from Windermere station. Alfred Wainwright climbed it on his first visit to the Lake District in 1930, and the view inspired his famous Lakeland guidebooks.
The route is around 3.5 km with 120 m of ascent, and it is now fully accessible to the summit, with sweeping views over Windermere and the central fells.
Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top
Hill Top, in the village of Near Sawrey, was Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse and is now cared for by the National Trust. You can reach it from Bowness by crossing the lake on the seasonal ferry.
The cottage and garden appear in many of her illustrations, which makes it a magical visit if you grew up with her books.
Grasmere and Wordsworth
Grasmere is one of the prettiest villages in the Lakes and was home to the poet William Wordsworth. You can visit Dove Cottage, where he lived and wrote, and the churchyard where he is buried.
Do not leave without trying Grasmere Gingerbread from the tiny shop by the church. It makes a great gift to take home.
Kendal and the Lyth Valley
The market town of Kendal is close to Oxenholme station and makes an easy stop on the way in or out. It is famous for Kendal Mint Cake (which we always ate as kids when visiting the Lake District with my parents) and has a good mix of independent shops.
In autumn, the surrounding countryside is at its most colourful, and it is a lovely area for a scenic drive.
Our Two-Night Gilpin Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Where we stayed | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Gilpin Lake House Spa Suite | Train to Oxenholme, transfer by car to Gilpin Lake House, use private steam room, hot tub and sauna, dinner at Gilpin Spice |
| Day 2 | Gilpin Hotel Spa Suite | Breakfast in Lake House Spa Suite, walk by the lake, check out and 10 minute car transfer to the Gilpin Hotel. See the llamas and pigs, in-room spa treatment, dinner at SOURCE |
| Day 3 | Check-out | Breakfast in suite, lounge time, farm shop, train home |
How to Get to Gilpin by Train from London
Getting to the Lake District was much easier than we expected, and we did not need a car at all. We took the train from London Euston to Oxenholme Lake District, arriving at 2:09pm with the whole afternoon ahead of us.
Avanti West Coast runs direct trains from Euston to Oxenholme, with the fastest taking around 2 hours 45 minutes. That is quicker and far more relaxing than driving up the M6.
Oxenholme is the main rail gateway to the southern Lake District, and Gilpin sits on Crook Road near Windermere, a short drive away.
Taxi transfer from Oxenholme to Gilpin
Gilpin arranged our transfers with Ace Taxis, who met us at Oxenholme and drove us straight to Gilpin Lake House. On our final day, the same taxi firm collected us from the hotel in time for our 2:25pm train back to London.
If you are travelling without a car, we recommend asking Gilpin to book your transfers when you reserve your stay. It makes the whole journey seamless.
Our tip: the farm shop by Oxenholme station
Before catching the train home, we popped into the David Wilan Food Hall, a farm shop next to Oxenholme station. We stocked up on sausage rolls, sandwiches and cake for the journey, which made the ride back to London feel like part of the holiday. It is well worth leaving 20 minutes spare for this before your train to browse.
Getting to Gilpin by car
If you prefer to drive, Gilpin is on Crook Road near Windermere, with parking on site at both properties, including electric vehicle charging at both properties.
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House FAQs
Is Gilpin Hotel and Lake House easy to reach without a car?
Yes. Direct trains run from London Euston to Oxenholme Lake District, and a taxi transfer to Gilpin takes you the rest of the way in around 20 minutes.
What is the difference between Gilpin Hotel and Gilpin Lake House?
Gilpin Lake House is a secluded six-bedroom house with its own lake, an indoor heated pool, a sauna and two outdoor hot tubs. Gilpin Hotel, a mile away, is the main country house hotel with the restaurants, the animals and a Spa Space open to all hotel guests.
Is Gilpin Hotel adults only?
Gilpin Hotel welcomes children aged 7 years or over. Â Guests must be 16 years or older to use the spa facilities or receive treatments.
For Michelin starred SOURCE Restaurant, it’s recommended that diners are aged 12 years and over. Children of all ages can dine at Gilpin Spice.
Are there animals at Gilpin Hotel?
Yes. We saw llamas and alpacas in the grounds, plus three resident pot-bellied pigs. They’re all behind fences, and they’re quite shy animals that you can admire from a distance.
If you’re looking to bring your own dog, there are a number of dog-friendly rooms with a supplement of £30 per dog per stay. Dogs are welcome in Gilpin Spice restaurant, but cannot be accommodated during the evening service at SOURCE.
Which restaurants are at Gilpin?
Gilpin Hotel is home to Michelin-starred SOURCE and the relaxed yet equally impressive pan-Asian restaurant Gilpin Spice.
Do the Spa Suites have massage chairs?
Yes. The Spa Suites at both Gilpin Hotel and Gilpin Lake House have an automated massage chair, alongside a private steam room, sauna and hot tub.
What is there to do near Gilpin Hotel and Lake House?
Gilpin is close to Windermere and Bowness, so you can take a lake cruise, visit Blackwell, the Arts & Crafts House, or walk up Orrest Head. Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top and Wordsworth’s Grasmere are also within easy reach.
Should I stay at both properties?
We would recommend it. Splitting your stay gives you lakeside calm one night and the buzz of the main hotel the next.
Final Thoughts
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House is one of the most relaxing luxury escapes we have found in the UK, and a very manageable train ride from London. If you want spa suites, Michelin-starred dining and a few llamas in your photos, book both properties.
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Crook Road, Windermere – T: +44 (0)15394 88818
Suze and Paul were hosted by Gilpin Hotel and Lake House. All opinions are our own.
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