6 of the Best Spa Hotels in the Lake District
6 of the Best Spa Hotels in the Lake District
If you’re searching for the best spa hotels in the Lake District, you’re probably looking for more than just a massage menu. You want outdoor hot pools with lake views, dramatic scenery, fresh fell air, and somewhere that actually feels like an escape.
I’ve been visiting the Lake District every year for the past 12 years. I’ve been in the middle of summer when the lakes are glittering and busy and in deep winter, when snow falls silently while you’re sitting in a steaming outdoor pool. And the Lakes is one of my favourite places in the UK for a spa break.
There’s something uniquely restorative about this region. City spas can be beautiful, but stepping from a sauna into cold mountain air, or floating in a heated pool while looking out across Windermere or Derwentwater — that’s something only Cumbria can offer.
This isn’t a generic round-up. These are spa hotels I’ve personally stayed in or visited, with honest insight into what the spa facilities are actually like, who they’re best for, and how they compare.
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⏱︎ How the 6 Spa Hotels Compare
If you don’t want to read everything, here’s the honest summary after 12 years of visiting the Lakes:
Most luxurious and private: Gilpin
Largest spa facilities: Low Wood Bay
Most secluded and intimate: Langdale Hotel & Spa
Best for lakeside lifestyle + experiences: Another Place
Most dramatic scenery: Lodore Falls
Best value spa day: Beech Hill
6 of the Best Spa Hotels in the Lake District
1. Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa
Best for: The largest spa facilities + Windermere views
Location: On the shores of Lake Windermere, between Windermere and Ambleside (A591). Easy to reach and perfectly positioned for lake views.
Spa Facilities (What’s Actually Included)
Low Wood Bay has one of the most extensive spa setups in the Lake District:
- Outdoor infinity pool overlooking Windermere
- Outdoor vitality pools
- Indoor pool
- Thermal journey (saunas, steam rooms, relaxation areas)
- Spa café
- Full treatment menu
This is the largest spa complex on this list, and it feels like a proper resort.
→ View latest prices for Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa
My Experience
I love the views here. Floating in the heated outdoor pool with Windermere directly in front of you is exactly what people imagine when they search “Lake District spa hotel with outdoor pool.”
Since I first visited, they’ve expanded the outdoor spa space, which makes it feel less crowded. It does sit near the main road, but once you’re in the thermal areas, it genuinely fades into the background.
Good to Know
- Spa access is typically time-slotted — pre-book.
- Ideal for couples and groups.
- A strong choice for first-time Lake District spa breaks.
→ View latest prices for Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa
2. Langdale Hotel & Spa
Best for: Seclusion and woodland calm
Location: Great Langdale Valley, set within 35 acres of woodland.
Spa Facilities
Home to the award-winning Brimstone Spa (exclusive to certain staying guests), offering:
- Indoor/outdoor thermal experiences
- Sauna and steam rooms
- Relaxation lounges
- Outdoor hydro pool surrounded by trees
- Treatment rooms
It’s smaller than Low Wood Bay — but that’s the point. It feels controlled and intimate.
→ Check availability at The Langdale Hotel & Spa
My Experience
There are no lake views here, but it feels completely tucked away. Sitting in the outdoor pool surrounded by woodland is one of the most peaceful spa moments I’ve had in the Lakes.
Because spa access is limited to hotel guests, it never feels busy.
Good to Know
- One of the most peaceful spa settings in the region.
- Ideal after hiking in the Langdales.
- Very couple-friendly.
→ Check availability at The Langdale Hotel & Spa
3. Another Place, The Lake
Best for: Lakeside experiences + relaxed luxury
Location: On the shores of Ullswater, near Pooley Bridge.
Spa & Wellness Offering
This isn’t a huge thermal spa complex. Instead, it offers:
- 20m indoor pool
- Outdoor hot tub
- Sauna
- Treatment rooms
- Lake access and seasonal outdoor experiences
- Stargazing night swims and guided activities
My Experience
We stayed in one of the shepherd’s huts with lake views and a freestanding copper bath. It felt incredibly cosy, the kind of place where relaxation continues back in your room.
The food is excellent, and the whole experience feels lifestyle-led rather than purely spa-focused.
Good to Know
- Quieter alternative to Windermere.
- Great for active couples.
- Perfect if you want lake access and experiences alongside spa time.
4. Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
Best for: Dramatic scenery and waterfall views
Location: Borrowdale Valley, on the shores of Derwentwater near Keswick.
Spa Facilities
The Falls Spa includes:
- Outdoor hydro pool with lake views
- Infinity-style spa area
- Sauna and steam rooms
- Relaxation spaces
- Treatment rooms
→ See availability at Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
My Experience
We had a room overlooking the waterfall, and falling asleep to the sound of water made it one of my most memorable Lake District spa stays.The hotel can’t guarantee room views but it’s worth asking if you want this one. The spa truly feels nestled into nature. If you’re searching “spa hotel near Derwentwater,” this is the one.
Good to Know
- Book lake or waterfall-facing rooms if possible.
- One of the most scenic spa locations in the Lakes.
- Excellent for romantic stays.
→ See availability at Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
5. Beech Hill Hotel & Spa
Best for: Affordable spa days with lake views
Location: South Windermere, overlooking the lake.
Spa Facilities
- Indoor pool
- Outdoor spa pool overlooking Windermere
- Sauna and steam room
- Spa day packages
- Treatments
→ Check current rates at Beech Hill Hotel & Spa
My Experience
We visited for a spa day, and it’s one of the more budget-friendly ways to enjoy Windermere spa views without booking a full luxury weekend.
Good to Know
- Works well for friend getaways.
- One of the best options for “Windermere spa day.”
- Good mid-range price point.
→ Check current rates at Beech Hill Hotel & Spa
6. Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
Best for: Ultimate luxury + private spa suites
Location: Near Windermere and Bowness.
Spa Suite Offering
Gilpin’s Spa Suites include:
- Private outdoor hot tub
- Private sauna
- Steam room
- Treatment area
- Freestanding bath
- Private terrace
The Lake House, set on a private estate nearby, has its own spa facilities exclusively for guests staying there.
→ Check current prices for Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
My Experience
We stayed both in a Spa Suite and at the Lake House. Having treatments in the lake-view cabin while snow fell outside made it one of the most intimate spa experiences I’ve had in the UK.
This is the most luxurious and private option on this list.
Good to Know
- Best for couples seeking privacy.
- Ideal for anniversaries or special occasions.
- Highest price point — but truly memorable.
→ Check current prices for Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
✈︎ How to Get to the Lake District
One of the reasons the Lake District works so well for UK spa breaks is accessibility. It feels remote and wild, but it’s surprisingly easy to reach
By Car (Most Convenient)
Driving is the easiest option, especially if you’re staying at more rural spa hotels like:
- Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
- The Langdale Hotel & Spa
From:
- Manchester: approx. 1.5–2 hours
- Liverpool: approx. 2 hours
- Leeds: approx. 2–2.5 hours
- London: approx. 4.5–5 hours
Parking is available at all the hotels listed.
By Train (Best for Windermere Stays)
The main train station for spa breaks is Windermere Station, which has direct connections from Manchester.
This works especially well for:
- Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa
- Beech Hill Hotel & Spa
- Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
From London, you’ll typically change at Oxenholme (on the West Coast Main Line).
Taxis are readily available from Windermere station to nearby spa hotels.
Final thoughts
After 12 years of visiting the Lake District, I can confidently say this is one of the best regions in the UK for a spa break. The combination of water, mountains, changing weather and fresh air adds something you simply don’t get in city hotels.
If you want the biggest facilities, choose Low Wood Bay.
If you want seclusion, go to Langdale.
If you want full luxury, book Gilpin.
If you want scenery drama, choose Lodore Falls.
And if you just want to float in warm water while looking at one of the most beautiful landscapes in Britain, any of these will deliver.
For more inspiration:
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