Location
Borrowdale Gates Hotel enjoys an enviable location in the picturesque Borrowdale Valley, one of the most scenic parts of the Lake District National Park. Surrounded by dramatic mountains, peaceful woodland and stunning walking routes, it provides the ideal base for exploring Keswick, Derwentwater, Buttermere, Grasmere and many of the region’s best-loved attractions. Whether you’re planning a Lake District walking holiday, a luxury weekend break or simply looking to relax in beautiful surroundings, the location is hard to beat.
Getting There
Our journey was very much part of the weekend experience. Travelling north through Kendal, we continued via the ever-popular towns of Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside, stopping to browse the independent shops and soak up the lakeside atmosphere before continuing into Borrowdale.
As we left the busier tourist routes behind, the scenery became increasingly spectacular. Winding roads and towering fells made the final stretch of the journey particularly memorable. We arrived at the hotel late in the afternoon, immediately appreciating its peaceful setting amongst beautifully landscaped grounds.
Arrival and Check-in
The hotel boasts a large car park and after unloading our luggage, we admired the traditional slate-clad exterior which blends beautifully into the surrounding landscape,
We were greeted at reception by Stefan and Lewis, who immediately made us feel welcome. Both were exceptionally friendly and always happy to chat as we came and went throughout our stay. Check-in was quickly taken care of, and after confirming our restaurant reservations we were soon heading along to find our room.
The Room
We were booked into one of the hotel’s luxurious Garden Suites and couldn’t have been happier with it. The spacious suite featured an elegant bedroom, a separate sitting area and a private terrace with direct access to the beautifully maintained gardens. A personally signed card welcomed us to the hotel which was a lovely gesture as it’s small details like this that add up to a memorable stay.
The room was immaculately presented with an extremely comfortable king size bed, light as air duvet and soft pillows, ensuring a good night’s sleep. Decorated in muted shades of grey with cushions and a floral bed runner adding pops of colour. Framed pressed flowers adorned the wall over the bed and also in the sitting room area.
There was ample storage with both a wardrobe and chest of drawers to store our clothes. A large wall mounted television faced the bed which could also be viewed from the sitting room. The suite also featured a stylish wall-mounted electric fire with realistic flames, creating a warm and cosy ambience that would be especially welcome during a winter stay.
Moving into the stylish bathroom, this comprised a bathtub, rainfall shower, luxurious Scottish Arran toiletries and thick, fluffy towels. Other room features included a fully stocked hospitality tray with both a kettle and Nespresso maker, delicious biscuits and a selection of teas, coffee and hot chocolate.
Overlooking the surrounding grounds and Lakeland scenery our outdoor seating was the perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee and to relax after a day exploring the Lake District.
Dining
Dining was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our visit. The hotel’s award-winning Two AA Rosette restaurant is renowned for offering refined dining, showcasing the very best of Cumbrian produce. For dinner, we were delighted to be seated at a window table overlooking the gardens. Our competitively priced three-course dinner began with an amuse-bouche of seared tuna and beetroot accompanied by a selection of freshly baked bread.
Our starter of perfectly cooked tempura monkfish featured a wonderfully light, crisp batter before moving on to an outstanding main course of locally sourced Cumbrian lamb saddle, cooked beautifully and presented with great attention to detail. Dessert was a delicious rhubarb cheesecake that balanced sweetness with just the right amount of tartness, providing the perfect conclusion to an exceptional meal. Wines are reasonably priced and available either by the glass or bottle.
Head Chef Christopher Standhaven deserves enormous credit for creating such imaginative seasonal menus, supported by his talented team, consistently delivering food of the highest quality using local ingredients. Equally deserving of praise were the restaurant team, expertly led by restaurant manager James. Their attentive, friendly and highly professional service enhanced all our meals without ever feeling intrusive.
Breakfast on both mornings maintained the same exceptionally high standards. Alongside an extensive buffet of fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereals, cheese and cold cuts, cooked breakfasts were freshly prepared to order. One morning we enjoyed a traditional Cumbrian Breakfast complete with delicious Cumberland sausage, while on our final morning I opted for Eggs Benedict with perfectly poached eggs on dry cured bacon served with a rich, velvety hollandaise sauce.
Before leaving on the Sunday afternoon, we were treated to the hotel’s traditional afternoon tea, which proved to be another memorable experience. Served in the elegant restaurant, we enjoyed freshly prepared finger sandwiches, warm homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, followed by an irresistible selection of miniature cakes, fruit tarts and colourful macarons.
Portions were wonderfully generous and, as should always be the case with the finest afternoon teas, there was more than enough to fill a cake box to enjoy once we returned home.
The Facilities
The Borrowdale Gates Hotel focusses on providing an authentic country house hotel experience rather than extensive leisure facilities, and that is very much part of its charm. The hotel boasts 32 individually designed rooms and suites, comfortable guest lounges and an attractive cocktail bar. The extensive gardens are a particular highlight, offering peaceful spots to relax while taking in the uninterrupted views of the Borrowdale fells.
Other facilities include a lift to all floors, a cosy games room with chess boards, Scrabble and children’s games, a boot room for drying and storing walking gear after a day on the fells and several e-charging points in the car park.
Out and About
One of the hotel’s greatest strengths is its location, making it an ideal base for discovering some of the Lake District’s most iconic destinations.
Grange-in-Borrowdale is one of the Lake District’s most picturesque hamlets, retaining much of its traditional Cumbrian character. Just a short stroll from the hotel stands the charming old stone church of Holy Trinity, while the iconic double-humped stone bridge crossing the River Derwent provides one of Borrowdale’s most photographed scenes. Surrounded by ancient woodland, rolling meadows and dramatic fells, the village offers a wonderfully peaceful setting and an ideal starting point for some of the Lake District’s finest walks.
Keswick, just over four miles from the hotel, is one of our favourite Lake District towns. This bustling market town offers an excellent selection of independent shops, welcoming cafés and traditional pubs, all just a short walk from the shores of Derwentwater, making it a wonderful place to spend a few hours.
No visit to the area would be complete without a stroll along the shores of Derwentwater. Widely regarded as one of the Lake District’s most beautiful lakes, it offers breathtaking views in every direction. Visitors can also enjoy one of the popular Keswick Launch pleasure boat trips, allowing the scenery to be appreciated from the water.
We also ventured to nearby Buttermere, where the tranquil lake is framed by dramatic mountain scenery, creating one of the most spectacular and photographed landscapes in the Lake District National Park. Its peaceful atmosphere makes it the perfect place to slow down and simply admire nature at its finest.
Another highlight of our weekend was a visit to the picturesque village of Grasmere, forever associated with the poet William Wordsworth. After eventually finding a parking space, we completed the circular walk around Grasmere Lake, an easy 3.7-mile (6 km) route that took us around 90 minutes at a leisurely pace.
The walk offers constantly changing views across the water towards the surrounding fells and is suitable for most abilities. Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves with delicious locally produced ice cream cones before making the scenic drive back to the Borrowdale Gates Hotel.
Overall
If you’re searching for a luxury Lake District hotel, a romantic country house retreat, or the perfect base for exploring Keswick, Borrowdale, Derwentwater and the wider Lake District National Park, the Borrowdale Gates Hotel deserves a place at the very top of your list. From the warm welcome on arrival to the exceptional dining and attentive service, every aspect of our stay exceeded expectations.
Details
Borrowdale Gates Hotel, Grange-in-Borrowdale, Keswick, Cumbria.
We were guests of the Borrowdale Gates Hotel and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.
If you have enjoyed this post you may also like:
Where was All Creatures Great & Small filmed. Part 1 – Thirsk & Ripon
Love Travelling Blog 
Leave a comment