The Lake District is one of my favourite places to visit in England. A little fact for you, many years ago, we got engaged atop one of the mountains overlooking the beautiful Grasmere Lake! So for me, anytime returning back to The Lake District feels like a warm hug from a friend who you haven’t seen in a long time.
And on our grand adventure for our epic road trip around the United Kingdom, The Lake District was the perfect stopping point to enjoy a scenic and cosy night away.
So where should you stay on your travels around this picturesque part of England, you ask? I’ve always loved visiting Ambleside… and the absolutely perfect destination for a night or two? Rothay Manor.
Where to stay: Rothay Manor
Nestled in the picturesque countryside and on the cusp of the bustling small town of Ambleside, you’ll find the warm and charming, Rothay Manor. It’s a beautiful boutique Lake District hotel brimming with character.
Unveiling the Cosy Quarters
Staying at Rothay Manor, you’ll have a few different room options. There are bedrooms located within the main house – and also bedrooms and Pavilion building suites located just steps away. We stayed in one of their gorgeous new Pavilion Suites, which was absolutely fantastic. And a peek from our window allowed this perfect view of Rothay Manor itself… and as always, I love spotting billowing smoke tumbling from the chimney. So cosy and comforting.
The room blends together a mix of cosy comfort meets mid-century modern style, offering a seamless blend of elegance and cosy luxury. Soft, plump pillows adorned the bed and it was so incredibly tempting to stay in and hunker down in the room after a long day of driving.
Indulging the Senses
However, the hotel didn’t just promise comfort tucked up in bed (though gosh, those beds were super comfy!) but also comfort for our taste buds!
We wandered down for dinner in the main house and seriously, if you can only pass through here for dinner or a bite to eat… I highly recommend you do so! We started our evening with a drink in their bar area before moving through to the main dining room.
The menu at Rothay Manor is spectacular. I’d advise to going for the set menu to experience a bit of everything. Every bite was exquisite! And the menu is also carefully chosen with produce sourced throughout the UK.
For starters, I tried the Loch Duart Salmon Cannelloni with Exmoor caviar, Cartmel Valley smoked butter sauce. It was SO GOOD. And Joe had the Dressed Ulverston Lobster – crispy filo, parsely, lobster bisque. Both incredibly delicious.
And for our mains: I had the Pan Roasted Halibut with leeks, Garganelli pasta, mussels mariniere. I can’t explain how I wish I could have eaten this over and over, it was phenomenal. Joe had the Huntsham Farm Duo of Pork with potato & thyme rosti, parsnip, apple, pork sauce.
We were completely full after two courses, so skipped dessert. But what a lovely way to spend our evening. And even lovelier was walking mere moments back to our suite for the night.
A cosy morning in the lakes
After an incredible night’s sleep, we woke up and decided to dine back in the restaurant rather than room service – I know – a bold choice from me! But first, a warming cup of coffee (or two) in the room.
As our stay came to an end, we bid adieu to the cosy confines of Rothay Manor and departed back out into the biting autumn chill continuing onwards with our road trip adventure.
Counting down for a return visit already
The Lake District’s Rothay Manor isn’t just a destination; it’s an cosy, welcoming experience that you won’t want to leave quite so soon.. Our stay at the cosy haven of Rothay Manor was more than just a luxurious escape; it was an extra few moments of calm and tranquility before the bustle of the upcoming busy holiday season.
I would absolutely love to book a return visit on our next Lake District adventure! And for your future planning you can book through here.
Thanks so much for coming along with me!
Kelly xoxo