Gilpin Hotel & Lake House review: a rather lovely stay in the Lake District

One suspects, for the majority of the population – well, certainly those with their own transport – the appeal of England’s Lake District is undeniable.

Although our beloved politicians and their water company friends seem to be doing everything they can to change that, for the time being the waters still flow and this geographic marvel remains something of which to be proud.

Why come here?

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is a fabulous place to relax. Well, to be precise, the Gilpin Hotel and the Lake House are two fabulous places to relax.

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Located a mile or so away from the hotel on 100 acres of private grounds, the Lake House comes with its own team, a boat house (where they serve a lovely afternoon tea), a “Jetty Spa” wellness trail and a pool and sauna cunningly hidden in the basement. And, with a little notice, a handful of people willing to drive you back to the hotel for dinner at one of its two restaurants which we’ll talk about further down the page.

The Gilpin Hotel, meanwhile, is similarly appointed and, while quite traditional in appearance, is very much more forward thinking. Our split-level suite in the main building on night two came complete with an outdoor terrace, countryside views and a hot tub. And, indeed, countryside views from a hot tub.

The hotel features 28 bedrooms, including six junior suites and six garden suites with their own outdoor hot tubs. There’s also five spa lodges, which have their own en suite spa, and five spa suites.

As part of the Pride of Britain (PoB) Hotels collection, this is an interesting badge to have. A marketing concept that actually celebrates some genuinely interesting places based around the quality of stay, services, dining, wellness and assorted other things. This particular trip north also took in nights at Northcote and Grantley Hall. All three places may have Michelin-starred restaurants but, in terms of feel and look and design, they’re all very different. All three are part of PoB which suggests that the inspectors know what they’re doing…

Anyway, as to why stay at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, it’s just all rather lovely and easy-going and cossetting and relaxing, with a charming team and some excellent food.

Eating and drinking

At the time of this visit, the plan was to visit two of Gilpin’s restaurant offerings – Spice and HRiSHi. And we did. The catch is that, about two days after visiting HRiSHi, and very much enjoying its elaborate and creative Michelin-starred tasting menu, chef Hrishkesh Desai left to launch a different venture and, obviously, took that bit of his name with him.

That restaurant is now SOURCE, where Ollie Bridgwater, after a ten-year stint at The Fat Duck, has taken the reins as executive chef and, remarkably, just a few months later, kept the Michelin star.

Spice, however, remains, although it’s now under the leadership of Aakash Ohol, HRiSHi’s former sous chef. It’s a curious venture and, at the point of my visit, a somewhat polite venture through Asia, with dishes inspired by the countries along the Spice Route. The cooking was on point, the dishes tasty, the spicing perfectly fine in terms of depth of flavour, but it all lacked that little spark of heat you might – and I certainly did – expect. It was all perfectly enjoyable, the BBQ pork belly in particular, but it felt a little watered down. If that’s for the clientele, surely even the middle classes of Windermere et al have experienced chillies by now?

Things to do

Have a massage. Wander the grounds. Sleep like the dead. Eat scones. At the Gilpin you are near the heart of the Lake District, a stone’s throw from Lake Windermere, short drives to Coniston, Ambleside and Kendal, and only slightly longer drives to Penrith, Grange-over-Sands and the like. The hiking potential, if you’re so inclined, is infinite. But the Jetty Spa wellness trail – champagne, a blissful massage, hot tub, snackage, a private swim – is a very enjoyable way of passing a few hours and accelerating the whole destressing thing that, presumably, is most of the reason you’re in the Lake District?

How to get there

Train and taxi are a possibility – Oxenholme Station is very well served by the West Coast Main Line, and around 20 minutes from the Gilpin. That does rather tie you to the property (unless you’re one of those hiker types) but, right now, that doesn’t sound like such a chore. Your own vehicle though is probably the best bet.

Neil Davey was a guest of Gilpin Hotel & Lake House. Rates for a classic bedroom start from £295 per night in summer and £220 per night in winter. Spa suites start from £890 per night in summer and £670 per night in winter. Crook Road, Windermere, Lancashire, LA23 3NE; thegilpin.co.uk

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