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Linthwaite is a longstanding Lake District hotel that has reinvented itself in recent years by ridding itself of formality and old-fashioned decor. It now offers a mix of classic and contemporary: sumptuous rooms in the main house, the best of which offer widescreen views over Windermere, along with timber-clad Fell Suites that feel more minimalist and modern.
The restaurant, Henrock is a huge selling-point: it’s overseen by star chef Simon Rogan, known for his experimental cooking (his flagship restaurant in Cartmel, L’Enclume, recently won its third Michelin star). The gardens are gorgeous, and offer fun surprises such as an outdoor chess set and a boules pitch. Various trails wind around the grounds, and the hotel even has its own tarn complete with wooden rowboats.
Linthwaite’s location is hard to better: it sits on a quiet hill above Windermere, offering an uninterrupted vista of the lake and the fells beyond. If you do feel able to tear yourself away, Windermere and Ambleside are both on your doorstep, with Grasmere, Coniston and the valley Great Langdale a little further afield.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Ambleside, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[3.7 miles]
Beatrix Potter’s cottage is every bit as pretty (and popular) as you’d expect – and, for fans of her books, offers the chance to see some of the places that inspired her illustrations.
Best for ages: 13+ | £15
Rydal, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[11.6 miles]
Wordsworth’s grand family home between Ambleside and Grasmere is an essential stop: it’s full of memorabilia, and offers an intriguing glimpse of the Wordsworth family’s daily life in the Lakes.
Best for ages: 18+ | £5
Grasmere, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[13.2 miles]
Take a guided tour around Wordsworth’s charming cottage near Grasmere to get a fascinatingly personal insight into the poet’s life and times – and don’t miss the brilliant museum next door.
Best for ages: 18+ | £12
Wasdale, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[22.4 miles]
Climb up to the highest point in England for a memorable view of the Wasdale fells – and a special sense of achievement. But don’t expect to be on your own if the weather’s fine
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | Full day
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Hawkshead, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[6.1 miles]
This small gallery in Hawkshead is located in the old office of Beatrix Potter’s husband, solicitor William Heelis. It holds regular exhibitions of her work, including her beautiful botanical paintings.
Best for ages: 10+ | £7 | 3 hours
Troutbeck, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[6.7 miles]
This traditional stone and slate farmhouse was home to local famers the Browne family for over 400 years. The house and family’s possessions have been preserved, showcasing rural life in the Lakes over the past centuries.
Best for ages: 18+ | £9 | 3 hours
Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[6.8 miles]
Head for this lovely forest for wooded walks, excellent mountain bike trails, fascinating outdoor sculptures and a GoApe treetop assault course.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free
Kendal, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[7 miles]
The best-known of some fantastic craft breweries in the region. It has a brilliant beer hall at its main site in Staveley, where you can also take a guided tour to learn more about the brewing process
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 3 hours
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)
Imposing mountains, wild landscapes, tranquil lakes and picturesque towns combine to make the Lake District uniquely beautiful, and one of the best places in Britain for walking, climbing, boating and biking.
