T he Lakes are for lovers. At least they are if you stay at the Gilpin, a luxurious estate in 21 acres of romantically rolling countryside near Windermere. Rooms in the main house are snug and homely, with the feel that you are a guest at a (very wealthy) relative’s home rather than a hotel.
These are complemented by some seriously slick lodges and suites and, about a mile away, a six-bedroom retreat that has its own small lake. Most of the 30 rooms at HQ come with private hot tubs, while all have access to the excellent bar and an impressive pair of restaurants, most notably the Michelin-starred Source, run by the Fat Duck alumnus Ollie Bridgwater. Overall score 9/10 Become a subscriber and, along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times, you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners, especially for Times+ members.
