With Bassenthwaite Lake on its doorstep, a standout spa, (even a resident cat called Saffy adding to the legend), Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa is the perfect indulgent and restorative getaway.
Armathwaite Hall is a truly historic country house hotel in an exceptionally picturesque corner of the northern Lake District. There has been a house on this site since the 11th century – with records dating back to 1548 – and today it sits surrounded by 400 acres of deer park, framed by Skiddaw and the surrounding fells. It has all the grandeur and presence you could hope for from a property of this stature, yet it still feels warm and welcoming from the outset; a balance not every historic hotel easily achieves.
I visited with my friend Rebecca for a girls’ spa getaway to celebrate her birthday, and our first impressions were excellent. Overlooking beautiful Bassenthwaite Lake, the hall is every inch the classic country house, while original features and elegant interiors imbue it with a deep sense of history and character that I personally just adore. It’s a spa with a historic edge, which makes you feel like an arriving Lady or person of note from years past. As we checked in, the welcome was warm and we were offered a glass of pink Prosecco. This was a lovely touch that added a celebratory feel from the very beginning of our stay.
Whilst enjoying our Prosecco, we also met Saffy, (the resident cat), who is clearly part of the hall’s mythology. She appeared soon after we arrived, gliding around the hall with regal belonging. We were told she has quite the fan club in returning guests and you’ll find her regularly featured across Armathwaite Hall’s social channels. Saffy joined Rebecca and I later that evening for cocktails, laid languidly across the back of my button-backed chair, (much to my delight), and there’s no doubt she has become part of the hotel’s wider charm and character.
The spa is the star
The hall is a historic, visual delight, but the hotel’s spa is a true stand-out that elevates the stay. Armathwaite Hall’s spa is set over two floors and the facilities are extensive: an indoor 16-metre infinity-edge pool, an outdoor hydrotherapy pool overlooking the gardens, an indoor hydrotherapy pool with neck shower and mood lighting, a wallow pool, a salt inhalation aroma room, steam room, traditional sauna, tropical shower, gym, exercise studio, ten treatment rooms, plus Hush and Tranquillity relaxation areas.
The entrance to the spa treatment area in particular is beautifully done. I filled in my consent form in one of the most aesthetically pleasing lounges I have ever been in, with seating arranged around a central modern (real) fire, mood lighting and relaxation corners, which made the arrival experience feel less procedural and more serene and cocooning from the start.
For my treatment, I chose the VOYA Herbal Sleep Cocoon*. This was absolute heaven! It lasted 50 minutes, and I could have stayed for even triple the time, that’s just how wonderfully relaxing it really is to experience. It’s a heightened sensory body wrap designed to rebalance the body, hydrate the skin and calm the mind, ready for the perfect night’s sleep. It includes body brushing, a herbal wrap, scalp massage and sound bath therapy, with the cocooning technique intended to promote deep relaxation and healing. In practice, it was one of those treatments that definitely relaxed my entire nervous system by several notches – much needed. My therapist told me lots of people fall asleep during it, and I completely understand why. Although I did not quite drift off, I was close. It was soothing and immersive, and the perfect treatment to choose, if you wish to forget what time it is and drift away into relaxation.
The changing rooms were also of a very high standard, with towels provided, everything felt polished and plush. It all added up to a spa experience that felt genuinely special rather than merely photogenic.
It is worth noting that during our stay there were some electrical issues affecting temperatures in parts of the spa, which meant the pool and some facilities were cooler than usual, and the outdoor infinity pool was out of use. That was a shame, especially because it looked gorgeous and would clearly be a major highlight when fully operational. To the hotel’s credit, staff kept all guests informed throughout, and by the second day most of the facilities were back up to temperature, although the outside infinity pool remained closed. It did not spoil our stay, but it is only fair to note.
A suite that makes switching off feel easy
Our room was an Estate Suite Twin Room, and it was utterly gorgeous. Estate Suites are individually designed rooms situated either in the Main House or in The Loft and close to the brasserie and spa. The suite’s features include a relaxing integral seating area, fireplace, king or super king beds with Egyptian cotton linen and luxury mattress toppers; so a good night’s sleep is inevitable! Amenities also include bathrobes and slippers, tea and coffee-making facilities, a hairdryer, iron and ironing board, music centre and television, and our room had views across the courtyard to the lake.
The room did not just look luxurious, it was also deeply comfortable with a serene decor, soft lighting, and a swanky modern fire in the lounge area of the suite. Because of the generously proportioned and beautifully decorated sitting area, rather than feeling like a standard hotel room with a bed as the obvious focal point, our suite felt more like a private retreat within the wider hotel, somewhere you one hundred per cent would want to spend time rather than simply sleep in between dinner and breakfast. This is especially appreciated on a girls’ getaway, where part of the pleasure is in lingering, chatting together, enjoying the space and not feeling hurried.
The decor overall had that classic country-house balance of elegance and warmth; refined and luxurious, and with robes and slippers waiting in the wardrobe to add to that cocooning feeling. After the spa it was such a treat to come back to a room that felt so in tune with the rest of the experience.
We also really appreciated the practical ease of how you can move through the hotel from bedroom to spa whilst wearing your slippers and robes, so visiting the spa without breaking the spell of the stay. At Armathwaite Hall, the whole rhythm feels smooth and intuitive, which helps you to relax fully.
Dining well
Dinner was in The Grill, Armathwaite Hall’s relaxed steak-and-seafood restaurant, a stylish yet informal space, with wines and cocktails designed to complement the rich, hearty flavours of the menu. Rebecca enjoyed the 6oz Minute Rump Steak, served with beef-dripping chips, dressed salad and mushroom. I chose the Braised Beef Bavette, which came with honey roast carrot, mash and Dijon mushroom sauce. Both dishes were perfectly cooked and were the ideal comfort food for a spa break. We shared the Tiramisu to finish, which was a lovely end to the meal.
What really elevated dinner though, was the service. It was warm and attentive and the front of house team oozed charm! As the restaurant began to quieten and we found ourselves among the last tables left, they even put on a curated playlist they thought we might like. This is a small gesture, but one that made the whole experience feel personal and added to the birthday celebrations.
The following morning, we both had a Full English overlooking the lake – perfectly idyllic. It was extremely tasty, but more than anything, it was that view that impressed and the feeling that right there, coffee in hand and with the lake beyond, there was nowhere more urgent to be…
The location
The location is undeniably part of Armathwaite Hall’s appeal. Bassenthwaite Lake is right there, Keswick is within easy reach, and there is a strong range of nearby and on-estate activities, from fell walking and paddleboarding to forest bathing, wild swimming, archery, birds of prey and photography experiences. The Lake District Wildlife Park is also part of the wider offer. So it is no doubt a stunning base for exploring. However I would note that the beauty of the hotel is that it is so good, you do not actually have to leave at all.
For a spa break with a friend, a romantic reset with a partner, or simply a grown-up getaway in one of the loveliest corners of the Lake District, Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa is magic. The landscape is there (if you want it) but Armathwaite itself is destination enough.
The details:
Location: Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa, Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4RE.
Room: Estate Suites are individually designed rooms in the main house or The Loft, with sitting area, fireplace, Egyptian cotton linen, luxury mattress toppers, robes and slippers.
*Spa treatment: VOYA Herbal Sleep Cocoon, 50 minutes from £105.
For more information or to book your stay, visit: armathwaite-hall.com
Review and some images by Victoria Reddington @vic_reddington
Some images supplied
