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There are B&Bs – clean, reasonable – that do the job, and then there are B&Bs that will lift your spirits and make you feel like you’ve found a gem. Not necessarily flashy with spa baths and piles of pillows, but they have those thoughtful touches that make you feel like the owner cares about a comfortable stay. This includes a cheerful welcome – perhaps with tea and homemade cake – books and newspapers to browse through, help with planning walks and trips, recommendations for great restaurants, fresh morning coffee, a place to dry wet clothes, and so on ingredient – a relaxed one The atmosphere. Here are the best B&Bs in the Lake District.
The best B&Bs in the Lake District at a glance
This slate-built Victorian cottage has been a bed and breakfast for around 50 years. Jacky Godfrey and Keith Fazey have given it a contemporary but comfortable country feel with farrow and ball colors, plaids and bold flowers, soft table lamps, and just enough ornaments and local paintings to make it feel cozy but not cluttered. In addition to a cozy lounge with wool-cushioned armchairs, large sofas, honesty bar (spirits, beer and wine, and smart glasses) and plenty of walking books, there’s a sun-trap garden (perfect for evening sundowners), a drying room, and bike storage.
• An insider’s guide to the Lake District
Bright Scandinavian-style rooms, some with mountain views, and young and enthusiastic owners with a passion for the outdoors offer guests a lovely stay on this large Edwardian end terrace in the heart of the lakes. Howe Keld sits at one end of The Heads, a winding road overlooking the park on the north edge of Derwentwater and overlooking Borrowdale. Interiors are bright, cool, and uncluttered, with a fresh monochrome of hardwood floors, pale gray walls, and carpets setting the backdrop for pops of color on the bold walls and velvet armchairs.
• The best hotels in the Lake District
The term ‘bed and breakfast’ doesn’t do justice to this family run luxury guest house with its Edwardian elegance, country house hotel comforts, lush gardens and relaxed personal touches; This makes it one of the best B&Bs in the Lake District. Inside, it maintains a graceful period feel but with a light touch: the reception desk is a sideboard in the oak-paneled hall; Living rooms are comfortable with traditional sofas, pale colors, and thick window seats; The dining room shines with mirrors and picture windows overlooking the gardens and fells. The 14 rooms are distinct and attractive, varying in shape but sharing the same style: plain carpets, brightly patterned or lustrous wallpaper, chic armchairs, and built-in furniture.
• The best hotels in the Lake District with hot tubs
The southern Lake District area on the Morecambe Bay coast has traditionally been overlooked for its famous fells; but as the lakes become bustling with tourists, towns like Arnside come into their own. The classic seafront terraced houses on the promenade all have views over the Kent Estuary, but No 43 is probably the best of them all, right next to the pub, and it’s also the fanciest. The beams have recently been touched up with green paint and a seating area has been set up in the garden. Inside, Regency furniture gives a feel of Brighton and other Georgian seaside towns, while black-and-white photographs and candy-colored stripes create a contemporary feel.
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A bold and unabashedly sexy B&B with lots of black and silver, and huge, mood-lit bathrooms that emphasize relaxation and romance. The eight large rooms (three with terraces, two with private entrances) follow the same soft “nightclub” theme, with eye-catching lampshades and a “Fifty Shades of Gray” color scheme in textured wallpaper, brocade curtains, and velvet throws. A lazy breakfast is served in the room and includes everything from croissants, oatmeal, and muesli to Eggs Benedict, cold cuts, and ready meals. It is on the outskirts of the town of Windermere, on the main road to the lake. A big plus is that Windermere train station is only 10 minutes up the road.
• The best walks in the Lake District
Moss Grove Organic is more of an urban boutique than a cozy country vibe – the Victorian home has been renovated using a combination of premium furnishings and eco-friendly materials. The 11 rooms really dazzle. Everything has been done to ensure environmental friendliness: floors and furniture are made from reclaimed wood, walls are stuffed with sheep’s wool insulation and even the clay paints are organic and biodegradable. Bathrooms are equally huge, and shine with sandstone tiles and jetted tubs. It is right in the middle of Grasmere so you have all the sights in an ideal position.
• The best dog-friendly hotels in the Lake District
Set in fabulous rolling countryside in the heart of Beatrix Potter’s country, this tiny, extravagantly decorated bed and breakfast offers three luxurious suites and the finest bathrooms in the Lake District. It’s a bit unusual in decor as there are no shared lounges or dining rooms. The suites open directly onto the garden, where there is a small potbelly stove and BBQ for summer evenings – or you might prefer to hang out in the bow-roof gypsy caravan. The whole place is decorated in a brilliantly lavish, humorous style — expect gold-framed mirrors, metallic tiles, floor-length swag curtains, and freestanding bathtubs.
Contributions by Louise Gray, Natalie Paris & Cal Flynn
• A complete guide to the best places to stay in the Lake District
