Four South Lakes hotels in the Sunday Times UK's 100 Best Hotels

Every year experts visit hundreds of properties throughout the UK for 'interesting openings and news of established hotels reinventing themselves'.

After conversations with industry stalwarts and encounters with charismatic hotel staff and memorable chefs, the list is picked out of the very best from the UK.

Readers' comments are also scoured as well as word-of-mouth recommendations being taken into consideration. 

This year four outstanding hotels based in South Cumbria were selected.

No. 3 - Langdale Chase Hotel, Windermere

Described as a 'classy revival of a gothic pile right on Windermere’s waterfront', Langdale Chase did incredibly well at number three and was deemed 'North hotel of the year.'

The boutique Lake District Hotel is now owned by Daniel Thwaites who transformed the Grade II listed building and its gardens into a relaxing sanctuary.

It re-opened towards the end of April 2023 after its most expensive refurbishments to date since it opened in 1937.

The Times described is at 'exactly what the local tourist scene has been so desperately lacking'.

No. 34 - Ashlack Hall, Kirkby-in-Furness

This South Lakes hotel is unique in its emphasis on sustainable farming and traceable food systems.

The vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers grown in Ashlack Hall's walled garden take centre stage as well as its finest produce which is sourced from local farmers.

The dining areas are designed around social eating with a choice of sharing a singular banquet table or filling a whole table with family and friends for an intimate dining experience.

The Cumbrian B&B is a fabulous 17th-century setting with the Times dubbing it a 'restaurant-with-rooms'.

No.50 - The Hare & Hounds, Bowland Bridge

A quintessentially British country pub in Bowland Bridge, the 17th-century tavern known as the Hare and Hounds Inn also won 'Best Small Hotel' in the Times' 'Best Places to Stay in Britain 2023'.

The restaurant serves a selection of modern dishes alongside traditional pub classics with the bar offering a variety of drinks, spirits, premium gins, draught beers and local cask ales.

This year's Times' article says it 'gets the balance just right between spit-and-sawdust boozer and posh gastropub.'

No. 60 - Rothay Manor - Ambleside

Rothay Manor is a 4 Red Star, Grade II listed country house retreat with individually designed bedrooms that ooze comfort and style.

Guests have a choice of kicking back in one of the cosy lounges by the fire on wintry days or chilling out on the terrace when the weather is good.

Its modern-British restaurant is headed up by Michelin-star trained head chef, Aaron Lawrence, and award-winning restaurant manager, Christopher McCaughran.

A £1 million renovation of the rooms, living space, restaurant and kitchen in 2019 saw the hotel's new look embraces the property's heritage and traditional exterior, while giving a fresh, contemporary feel.

The Times said to get a sense of Rothay Manor’s style 'imagine a fashionista friend who’s just discovered tweed.'