Where to stay
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Windermere
At family-owned Gilpin, guests can choose from rooms in its 30-bedroom hotel near Lake Windermere or eight-bedroom boat house a mile (1.6 km) away on the shores of Knipe Tarn for a more secluded stay. There’s a real focus on high-end luxury and relaxation, with most hotel rooms enjoying their own hot tubs, while the Lake House’s facilities include a sauna and swimming pool. Dining options include one-Michelin-starred SOURCE, where seasonal ingredients meet Japanese flair, and more casual pan-Asian Gilpin Spice.
Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, Keswick
Crowned Best Countryside Hotel in the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa offers secluded luxury within a 400-acre private estate. Its spa features indoor and outdoor infinity pools, plus an extensive treatment menu. With Bassenthwaite Lake on the hotel’s doorstep, guests can enjoy outdoor adventures like wild swimming, paddlebboarding and clay pigeon shooting. There’s even a wildlife park on the estate, for the chance to come face-to-face with more than 100 species including lemurs and red pandas.
The Cottage in the Wood, Keswick
The one-Michelin-starred Cottage in the Wood restaurant, hidden within the Whinlatter Forest, has eight bedrooms for guests to extend their visit. Each cosy room guarantees a dinner reservation and a two-course Cumbrian breakfast. Tasting menus from Jack Bond (whose wife Beth is general manager) spotlight the Lake District’s natural larder and two menus are served consecutively over two days, so diners staying for a couple of nights can enjoy different dishes each evening.
Hope Street Hotel, Liverpool
Once a Victorian carriage works, Hope Street Hotel in Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter is now home to 149 rooms, including rooftop suites with private terraces and spa baths. Guests also enjoy discounted access to the on-site spa, voted the best in North-West England in 2024 by The Times and Sunday Times. Its London Carriage Works restaurant is a hat-tip to the building’s history, serving up seasonal menus and a popular prix fixe offer.
The Halyard Liverpool
In Liverpool’s Ropewalks district – so named for its historic rope-making traditions – is the 133-bedroom Halyard hotel. Its design is a nod to the city’s maritime past, with every guest treated to a signature hot chocolate in homage to its chocolate-importing history. The Voyagers restaurant serves internationally inspired small plates, and there are plenty more food and drink options in the nearby Albert Dock.
Where to eat
Askham Hall, Penrith
Owned by the same family since 1724, Askham Hall near Penrith is now home to one-Michelin-starred restaurant Allium, led by head chef Richard Swale. The six-course tasting menus are guided by the seasons, as most produce is grown in the kitchen garden and in the surrounding Lowther Estate. Guests can join a private garden tour to learn more. There’s also a prize-winning wine list to sample, having scooped the AA Wine Award, England and overall, in 2023.
Where to eat
Pentonbridge Inn, Penton, near Carlisle
The one-Michelin-starred Pentonbridge Inn celebrates modern British cuisine, shaping its dishes around produce from its walled garden at Netherby Hall as well as other local suppliers. The star of the show is its eight-course set tasting menu crafted by head chef Chris Archer. Nine guest bedrooms take design inspiration from the inn’s location near the Anglo-Scottish border.
Fellpack Restaurant, Keswick
International flavours with innovative twists take pride of plate at Keswick’s Fellpack Restaurant. Dishes (dubbed ‘Fellpots’ by the restaurant) include Goan lamb curry Sicilian sausage and fennel ragu, and chicken katsu, taking diners on a global culinary adventure. There’s an equally eclectic cocktail menu, accompanied by a relaxed, cosy atmosphere.
BOXPARK Liverpool
Part of Liverpool’s trendy Baltic Triangle, BOXPARK puts the spotlight on the city’s street food scene. Traders include The Lids & Co’s gourmet pies, Yoki Social Table’s Korean fried chicken and Falafel Xpress’s Middle Eastern wraps and burgers. Sports fans are well catered for with a line-up of live football, rugby and Formula 1 fixtures on the big screens.
Things to do
Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
On the banks of Derwentwater, Theatre by the Lake presents plays, dance, opera and musicals with the Lake District fells as its backdrop. The venue’s 2027 programme is yet to be announced, but original productions for 2026 include Nell Gwyn, Calendar Girls The Musical and A Christmas Carol. It also hosts events for Keswick’s festivals, including the Keswick Jazz Festival and Keswick Film Festival.
Keswick Adventures
For an action-packed day out in the Lake District, Keswick Adventures offer ghyll-scrambling, pack-rafting and hydrospeeding. Explore this wild adventure playground by canoe, kayak or paddleboard, accompanied by experienced instructors with all necessary safety equipment provided. There’s a range of indoor activities too, such as archery and axe-throwing – ideal for wetter days.
Mountain Goat Tours
Mountain Goat Tours has showcased Britain as part of small-group tours for more than 50 years. Led by expert driver-guides in luxury vehicles, Lake District tours encompass picturesque routes and authentic experiences, giving guests first-hand insight into British culture and history. Tours depart from various locations across North-West England and Scotland, including Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh. The Ten Lakes Spectacular includes a stop-off at Grasmere to enjoy its renowned gingerbread and a chance to explore Castlerigg Stone Circle.
Cycling in the Lake District
Saddle up to explore the bike-friendly Lake District National Park, criss-crossed with trails for riders of all levels. Mountain bikers can carve through Grizedale or Whinlatter Forests, while families can combine a bike ride with a steam train trip on the Eskdale Trail. Hire shops include Cyclewise Whinlatter in Keswick and Arragon’s Cycle Hire at Lowther Castle.
Hadrian’s Wall Country
Stretching 73 miles (117km) from coast to coast, Hadrian’s Wall is within easy reach of Carlisle on the AD122 bus service. The Roman Army Museum at Brampton (30 minutes from Carlisle) is an interactive trip through time, offering a peek into Roman life with its artefacts and life-sized replicas. Hikers can tackle the Hadrian’s Wall Path, while the Hadrian’s Cycleway is a 170-mile (274 km) route for cyclists.
Royal Liver Building, Liverpool
Enjoy a Liver Bird’s-eye view of Liverpool from the 15th floor of the Royal Liver Building, a city landmark since 1911. The 360 Tour, packed with stories from the city’s eclectic history, begins at the ground-floor visitor centre, before guests are whisked to the 10th-floor balcony for views over the River Mersey. Then, there are 124 steps to conquer the West Tower, but it’s worth it for the audiovisual show and even vaster panoramas over the city’s rooftops.
Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool
Synonymous with Liverpool’s maritime heritage, the Royal Albert Dock is one of the city’s cultural and creative quarters. Explore its museums like The Beatles Story, packed with immersive exhibits that bring the rise of the Fab Four to life, and enjoy independent shopping at The Nest and Lost Soles. Plus, there’s a wide choice of restaurants to refuel at, including Middle Eastern eatery Maray and North-West pizza chain Rudy’s.
