A very British country hotel with great food in stunning Lake District, north England
Rothay Manor / Ambleside / Cumbria / United Kingdom
The Lake District in the northern part of England, right on the border of Scotland, is an incredibly scenic region, full of lakes (obviously), mountains, hills, fells and cute little atypical English villages. In this region, sitting right between Lake Windermere and cute small-town of Ambleside, you’ll find this hotel, Rothay Manor.
Rothay Manor is owned and run by couple Jamie and Jenna Shail. They stumbled upon this place after several years of running chalets in France, and they decided to fulfil a dream on home turf.
This 23-key hotel is surrounded by a lush garden, framed with greenery and a beautiful stone wall. Even though this is a busy, popular area, you’ll notice none of it once you are on the property.
The design is very classic British with a contemporary touch. What does this mean? It means that you’ll find beautiful printed wallpaper, mismatching patterned textiles, heavy drapes, fitted carpets (obviously) and tasteful wooden panelling. Add some vintage furniture, cozy lighting and some of that typical British cozy and you have the foundations for the design elements of Rothay Manor.
What could be good for dog owners to know is that Jamie and Jenna are dog lovers so when they decided to expand the hotel with 8 rooms, they made them dog friendly and they also created a dedicated dog washroom.
The Lake District is a region where there is a lot of focus on the outdoors. There are several great hikes that start right at the doorstep of the hotel. And what could be good to know is that in the room there is a walking guide, created by Jamie and Jenna where they share several of their favorite hikes. If you are here in Summer, make sure you bring water (obviously) and your swimming costume, so you can have a refreshing dip along your hike. And make sure you finish your hike in nearby Ambleside, so you can fill your tanks with some hearty food from one of the many great outlets. And if food is your thing, make sure you save a lot of space for the breakfast at the hotel. It is super delicious!
Entering the driveway to Rothay Manor.
Car is parked and I am heading up to the reception.
The reception with its green wooden panelling and wallpapered reception desk.
Heading up to our room on the first floor.
I love the mix of patterns that the British do so well where mismatching pillows, wallpaper, headboard and lamp shades contribute to an eclectic, colorful look.
A cozy little corner of our room
A great little booklet in our room recommending different hiking routes in the area.
The cozy lounge/bar area next to the restaurant.
Breakfast is ready to be served.
Breakfast is served á la carte and is a really delicious affair. A tip is to have a lot of time to sit down and enjoy all the good stuff on the menu.
The garden
Next to the grade II listed main building there is a newer annex with a more contermporary look.
Right down the road from the hotel you’ll find the famous Lake Windermere.
Mango and I out for a run in the rain in the rolling hills.
The sheep were not fans of the weather…
After a run in the rain, some pasties are just what you need. There is a great little shop in town.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are coming to the Lake District in northern England and you are looking for a high quality, typically English hotel with attentive service and cozy atmosphere. If this ticks all your boxes, you will appreciate this hotel.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the breakfast. It is included in the price and is really, really great. It is served á la carte, which I love, and there is so much to choose from which made it so difficult.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to bring all kinds of clothes. The weather can change fast and this is a place where you do want to spend as much time as possible outside to enjoy all that this region has to offer. There are so many great hiking trails, take a boat out on the lake, stroll around in the cute little villages. And then you can return to the cozy Rothay Manor and curl up with a book by window and enjoy the scenery from the warmth of your room.
If you like this hotel you might also like:
Wildhive Callow Hall, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, UK
The Pig at Combe, Honiton, Devon, UK
The Star, Alfriston, East Sussex, UK
