Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is one of the Lake District's best-known honeymoon hotels. It earns that reputation through privacy. Many of its suites and lodges come with their own outdoor hot tubs, private gardens and, in the grandest categories, in-room saunas and steam rooms. You can spend an evening soaking under the stars with a glass of something cold and not see another soul. Then you can walk to dinner at SOURCE, the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant.
Gilpin is family-owned and run by the Cunliffe family. The main hotel sits in 21 acres of gardens, moor and woodland near Bowness-on-Windermere. Just over a mile away, Gilpin Lake House is a smaller, quieter retreat on 100 private acres around its own lake, Knipe Tarn, with floor-to-ceiling glass in some rooms and a jetty spa. Resident llamas, alpacas and pigs add a touch of whimsy.
It suits couples who want romance, comfort and food in equal measure, with the fells and lakes on the doorstep. It is not cheap, but it rarely disappoints.
Highlights at a glance
- Garden Suites and Spa Lodges with private hot tubs
- Michelin-starred SOURCE restaurant
- Gilpin Lake House on 100 private acres around Knipe Tarn
- Private Spa Trails across both estates
- Family-owned and run by the Cunliffe family
Why Couples Love Gilpin
Privacy is the big draw. The Garden Suites, Spa Lodges and Spa Suites are designed so that you can close the door and have everything you need: a hot tub, a big bath, a garden and room to spread out. On a cold, clear night, sitting in the hot tub with the fells silhouetted against the sky is the image that brings couples back.
The family ownership shows. Service is warm, personal and attentive, with staff who remember what you like. The grounds are large enough for quiet walks and the animals are a gentle source of amusement. Despite being close to Windermere and Bowness, Gilpin feels tucked away. Couples who want a lake view can stay at the Lake House, where Knipe Tarn sits right below the windows.
Rooms and Suites to Book
Gilpin Hotel has around 30 rooms, with several categories worth considering for a honeymoon:
- Garden Suites are open-plan, with an outdoor hot tub and a private garden. This is the classic Gilpin honeymoon choice.
- Spa Lodges add a steam room, an outdoor sauna, a freestanding bath and views over the garden and moor.
- Spa Suites are the most indulgent, with a private hot tub, indoor sauna, steam room, massage chair, private garden and Japanese-style bath.
- Junior Suites have a private patio with a hot tub.
Classic and Master Rooms in the original house are more traditional and cheaper, but they lack the private spa features. At Gilpin Lake House, Superior Rooms have about 25 feet of floor-to-ceiling glass facing Knipe Tarn. For a honeymoon, a Garden Suite is the best balance of price and romance.
Food, Drink and the Spa
SOURCE is the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, focused on British produce and backed by an expert sommelier team. Dinner here is the centerpiece of a stay. Gilpin Spice offers a more relaxed pan-Asian menu built around shared plates, which makes a good contrast on a second night. Afternoon tea is served at Gilpin Lake House, overlooking Knipe Tarn.
Spa treatments use ESPA and Pure Lakes products. Private Spa Trails are available across both estates for hotel guests, so you can have the facilities to yourselves for a time. The Jetty Spa at the Lake House sits by the water. Book treatments and the Spa Trail ahead, especially at weekends. Breakfast is a generous affair, which helps before a long day on the fells.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
The Lake District is made for walking. Orrest Head, a short climb from Windermere, gives a classic view over the lake. Catbells near Keswick, Helvellyn from Glenridding and the Langdale Pikes are bigger days out for keen hikers. A boat on Windermere, from Bowness or Ambleside, is a gentler way to see the lake.
One of you might want to visit Beatrix Potter's Hill Top farmhouse or Wordsworth's Dove Cottage in Grasmere while the other rents a bike or goes kayaking. Pubs in Langdale and Borrowdale are good for a long lunch after a walk. The weather changes quickly on the fells, so both of you need waterproofs, warm layers and good boots. Check the mountain forecast before setting out and tell someone your route.
Getting There
Manchester Airport (MAN) is the nearest major international airport, about 1.5 to 2 hours by car. It has nonstop flights from several US cities and many connections through Europe. By train, Windermere station is reached from Manchester Airport or London Euston with a change at Oxenholme. Gilpin is a short taxi ride from Windermere station.
A car is useful for exploring the Lake District, though summer traffic around Windermere, Bowness and Ambleside can be slow. Roads over the passes, such as Hardknott and Wrynose, are steep and narrow, so take care. The hotel can arrange taxis for evenings out. Parking is available at both Gilpin Hotel and Gilpin Lake House.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want privacy, pampering and great food, yes. The hot tub suites are genuinely romantic, SOURCE is one of the best restaurants in the region and the family-run service makes the stay feel personal. Rates sit at the top end for the Lake District, especially for the spa suites.
Couples who want a lakeside hotel with water views from every room should look at the Lake House or at properties on Ullswater or Derwentwater. Those who prefer a traditional inn with a pub may find Gilpin too polished. Midweek stays and winter months bring lower rates. Book at least a few months ahead for summer, half-term weeks and Christmas.
Insider tips
- Book a Garden Suite for the classic Gilpin honeymoon experience.
- Reserve SOURCE for your first night and Gilpin Spice for your second.
- Book a Private Spa Trail at the Lake House to have the spa to yourselves.
- Walk up Orrest Head for an easy, classic Windermere view.
