Gilpin Hotel and Lake House

César award in 2000

'We had been there only an hour when we decided to extend our stay,' say readers of their 2012 visit to the Cunliffe family's country house hotel (Relais & Châteaux). 'Charming and helpful staff, beautiful rooms, excellent meals, and all those little touches that make a place spot-on.' The Edwardian building is run by John and Christine Cunliffe, with son Barney and his wife, Zoë. 'The staff are highly trained,' notes a Guide inspector: 'One is always greeted by name; Barney Cunliffe is keen to see his guests right.' Pre-dinner drinks are served in the large lounge, 'with an open fire and capacious sofas'. The individually decorated bedrooms vary in size and view. In the restaurant, the new chef, Dan Grigg, serves an 'appetising' menu, which might include fillet of beef with ox cheek, horseradish and potato purée, smoked bacon, red wine sauce. An 'excellent' breakfast is taken in the conservatory overlooking the 'immaculate' gardens: 'Freshly squeezed orange juice, beautiful scrambled eggs, sweet-cured bacon in plump rashers, good nutty coffee.' (Harry and Annette Medcalf, Susan Raymond)

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Visit the hotel's website for more information

Gilpin Hotel, Windermere, Spa Special Offer

Gilpin’s new spa overlooks the private lake. Its bespoke Couples’ Spa Journey worth £280 is just £50 to readers booking D, B&B at Gilpin Lake House, with a private aroma consultation, a gentle swim, the salt snug, salt scrub shower, aroma massage, green tea and appetisers on the jetty. Champagne in the hot tub, a five-course dinner, breakfast in bed and go home with bespoke blended products. Available until June 30th, Mon-Thur.

To benefit from this offer, please mention The Good Hotel Guide when booking.

  • As always a perfect stay. Our room was lovely, the dinners were excellent. The place has become more glitzy but it is still great.

    Wolfgang Stroebe, 14/07/2012

  • Such luxury. An excellent experience. Large garden room, well furnished apart from a lack of storage space. The main house was a joy. Our dinner table was adorned with orchids. Breakfasts had lots of choice, dinner was a banquet. Staff well trained and effivient, friendly but not over the top. A elightful and relaxing week.

    Susan Raymond, 28/05/2012

  • It insists on the highest quality in all that it seeks to do. Staff are highly trained. Cooking of a high order. First-rate sommelier. Excellent breakfast. Barney Cunliffe is doing a good job.

    Robert Gower, 03/04/2012

  • When you enter the building it is like walking into a friend's country home, but it is down to the dedicated professionalism of all the staff and family owners whose careful attention to detail ensures you experience such a memorable stay in Gilpin.

    Thomas Woolfenden, 12/03/2011

Have you been there? Send us your review of this hotel.

Gilpin Hotel, Windermere, Spa Special Offer

Gilpin’s new spa overlooks the private lake. Its bespoke Couples’ Spa Journey worth £280 is just £50 to readers booking D, B&B at Gilpin Lake House, with a private aroma consultation, a gentle swim, the salt snug, salt scrub shower, aroma massage, green tea and appetisers on the jetty. Champagne in the hot tub, a five-course dinner, breakfast in bed and go home with bespoke blended products. Available until June 30th, Mon-Thur.

To benefit from this offer, please mention The Good Hotel Guide when booking.

Local attractions

Beatrix Potter's Hill Top house
Hill Top is a time-capsule of Beatrix Potter's life. Every room contains a reference to a picture in one of her tales.
Windermere Lake Cruises
45-minute to three-hour cruises across Lake Windermere.
Lake Windermere
The largest natural mere (long, thin lake) in England.
Windermere Golf Club
An 18-hole course, founded in 1891.

Show on map

Discount Vouchers

This hotel accepts the following discount vouchers:

  • Online vouchers

    These entitle readers to a 10% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night's stay

    Print voucher

  • Book vouchers

    This hotel accepts discount vouchers which entitle readers to a 25% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night's stay. Each printed copy of the Guide contains six vouchers worth in total about £150. BUY THE GUIDE

    Buy the guide

Gilpin Hotel, Windermere, Spa Special Offer

Gilpin’s new spa overlooks the private lake. Its bespoke Couples’ Spa Journey worth £280 is just £50 to readers booking D, B&B at Gilpin Lake House, with a private aroma consultation, a gentle swim, the salt snug, salt scrub shower, aroma massage, green tea and appetisers on the jetty. Champagne in the hot tub, a five-course dinner, breakfast in bed and go home with bespoke blended products. Available until June 30th, Mon-Thur.

To benefit from this offer, please mention The Good Hotel Guide when booking.

Contact Details

Gilpin Hotel and Lake House

Crook Road, nr Windermere WINDERMERE Cumbria England LA23 3NE

Telephone

015394 88818

Website

www.gilpinlodge.co.uk

Discount Vouchers

This hotel accepts discount vouchers which entitle readers to a 10% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night's stay

Further Information

Bedrooms

26, 6 in orchard wing, 6 in Lake House (1/2 mile from main house).

Open

all year.

Facilities

ramps, bar, 2 lounges, 4 dining rooms, 22-acre grounds (ponds, croquet), free access to nearby country club, golf course opposite, unsuitable for disabled.

Background music

none.

Children

not under 7.

Dogs

not allowed (kennels at nearby farm).

Credit cards

all major cards.

Prices

[2012] B&B £120-£250 per person, D,B&B £40 added, set dinner £52, special breaks, Christmas/New Year packages, 1-night bookings refused Sat.

GHG voucher offer

Buy the guide and claim 25% off B&B rates on certain dates