Boutique hotels in Windermere and the Lake District

Explore the Lake District by hire car and check out two of the best boutique hotels in England.

Aphrodite´s Lodge and 21 the Lakes are the perfect places to stay if you want comfort and luxury in the Lake District. These elegant, but quirky boutique hotels near Bowness, Windermere offer guests opulence and style in a beautiful setting. Each suite is different at 21 The Lakes, and combines old-world Lake District charm with a contemporary and modern edge. The Aphrodite´s Lodge Hotel boasts both classical and themed suites including Cleopatra, Tarzan and Jane, Parisian and The Flintstones, and offers guests an organic menu. Not quite the Bellagio at Las Vegas, but equally impressive, is the dancing fountain outside, which performs a fantastic light and music show for guests.

The Lake District is undoubtedly one of England´s highlights, and if you were to stay in one place and not tour around, you would be doing yourself an injustice. The most relaxing and comfortable way to find the hidden lakes and beauty spots in the Lake District is to hire a car and drive around at your own pace. Car hire in the Lake District can be pre-booked picked up directly from Manchester Airport, Blackpool Airport or the Lake District.

Windermere information and best hotels

Situated in Cumbria, England, Windermere lies about 1km from the lake of the same name. The older lakeside town of Bowness-on-Windermere is close by, and both offer visitors a wealth of beautiful scenery and vibrant town centres. Boat trips in the Lake District sail around Lake Windermere, calling at Ambleside and Lakeside. Wherever you stay in the Lake District, Windermere is one of the most beautiful natural lakes in Europe, and you will be drawn to its scenic beauty and superb boutique hotels.

21 The Lakes and Aphrodite´s Lodge boutique hotels in The Lake District


21 The Lakes is a luxury boutique hotel which is situated between Windermere and Bowness in the Lake District, Cumbria, England. Close to the nearby village of Bowness, visitors lucky enough to stay at 21 The Lakes can stroll to the village and browse around the shops, or visit one of the wine bars or country inns at Bowness Bay and Lake Windermere. Luxury hotels in the Lake District and boutique hotels in the Lake District are few and far between, but 21 The Lakes and Aphrodite´s Lodge offer visitors the utmost in luxury and comfort.

Attracting celebrities from far and wide, 21 The Lakes was once owned by a wealthy Edwardian gentleman who furnished the house with unique period furniture and features. Now completely refurbished but retaining its original charm, 21 The Lakes is the leading contemporary boutique hotels in the Lake District. Whether you are looking for short breaks in the Lake District, hotels in the Lake District, accommodation in the Lake District, luxury Lake District hotels or boutique hotels in the Lake District, make sure you check out 21 The Lakes and Aphrodite´s Lodge before looking any further.

Aphrodite´s Lodge is largely seen as being the ´hip hotel´ to stay in the Lake District, and great emphasis is put on offering all organic food, locally sourced and fair-trade where possible. An environmentally-friendly bio-mass boiler, which is carbon neutral, and electricity from a renewable source keeps the hotel running. An environmentally-friendly hotel in the Lake District, combining comfort, style and excellent organic food is not easy to come by, but Aphrodite´s Lodge is unique. The choice of accomodation in the Lake District is massive, but whether you want to spend a short break in the Lake District or you are looking for a Lake District guest houses, Aphrodite´s Lodge and 21 The Lakes offer quality, service and an unbeatable Windermere location. For a luxury short break in the Lake District, 21 The Lakes and Aphrodite´s Lodge offer superb food in a stunning location.

10 things to do and see in the Lake District

If you are planning at trip, or you have booked a short stay in the Lake District at either 21 The Lakes or Aphrodite´s Lodge, here are ten of the best things to do in the Lake District.

1. Visit the Aquarium of Lakes – Tel: 015935 30153
2. The Arts and Crafts Centre Blackwell – Tel: 015394 46139
3. The Beatrix Potter Exhibition and Tea Room – Tel: 015394 88444
4. Brockhole Visitor Centre –Tel: 015394 46601
5. John Ruskin´s home and gardens, Brantwood – Tel: 015394 41396
6. Dove Cottage, William Wordsworth´s House – Tel: 015394 35544
7. Hill Top, Beatrix Potter Farmhouse – Tel: 015394 36269
8. Holker Hall, gardens and motor museum – Tel: 015395 58328
9. Levens Hall and Gardens – Tel: 015395 60321
10. Muncaster Castle, owls, garden centre and maze - Tel: 01229 717614

Local walks around Windermere and the Lake District from 21 the Lakes Boutique Hotel and Aphrodite´s Lodge Hotel

If you enjoy walking, you will be spoilt for choice in the Lake District, and some of the most beautiful walking routes are within a short distance of 21 The Lakes boutique hotel and Aphrodite´s Lodge boutique hotel. The best way to enjoy short breaks in the Lake District, is to make the most of your stay and explore the local area on foot. We would recommend the following walks:

1. Sheriff Walk the Lake District

Just opposite the 21 The Lakes Hotel, you can begin a wonderful woodland walk which leads to a footpath beside Lake Windermere and the Steam Boat Museum. Late hotel deals in the Lake District at a Bowness boutique hotel can be booked online. This walk takes about 40 minutes.

2. Orrest Head the Lake District

Taking approximately 1 hour is the beautiful Orrest Head walk in the Lake District. Enjoy a leisurely stroll up through Windermere Village, and follow the sign for Orrest Head. You will then climb up hill through the woods, and enjoy stunning views over Lake Windermere from the summit. Late hotel deals and luxury breaks in Lake District guest houses can be booked online at the 21 The Lakes and Aphrodite´s Lodge website.

3. Bowness Bay

A walk down Lake Road, and through the busy village of Bowness, with its wine bars and traditional country inns, will bring you to the shores of Lake Windermere at Bowness Bay. Here you can hire boats or take a lake cruise to fully enjoy the stunning local scenery from the water. Lake District accommodation, late hotel deals in the Lake District and Lake District guest houses can be booked online.

Luxury breaks Bowness hotel

If you are looking for luxury short breaks, Bowness hotel, Christmas Lake District, bargain weekend breaks in the Lake District, half term breaks in the UK, bargain short breaks, Lake District breaks, luxury hotel breaks, luxury short breaks or late hotel deals in the UK, check out 21 The Lakes and Aphrodite´s Lodge Hotel websites, the Lake District, Cumbria, England, and enjoy a little slice of paradise in this stunning region of the UK. Explore the Lake District and pre-book cheap car hire from Blackpool Airport, Manchester Airport or the Lake District, Cumbria, England, UK.

The 10 best things to do in Windermere and the Lake District

Windermere and the Lake District is one of the most beautiful regions of England, and the stunning scenery attracts thousands of visitors every year. Whether you are looking for boutique hotels in the Lake District, or romantic hotels in the Lake District, this stunning part of Cumbria offers something for everyone. Below are 10 of the best things to do in Windermere and The Lake District:

1. The Arts and Crafts House Bowness

Visit the elegant Arts and Crafts House and Gardens at Bowness, and enjoy stunning views over Lake Windermere. The beautifully restored house features stained glass windows and carved oak panelling, and historical and contemporary exhibitions of applied arts can be seen in the upper galleries. The Arts and Crafts House, Bowness is a fascinating example of British art at its best. Combine a trip to The Arts and Crafts House, Bowness with a weekend in a boutique hotel in the Lake District.

2. The World of Beatrix Potter Bowness

Some of the best hotels in the Lake District are situated around Bowness and Lake Windermere, and there are plenty of things to see and do in this region. One of the most popular places to visit in Bowness is The World of Beatrix Potter, which is a wonderful exhibition of the famous characters from the stories. A great family day out. If you are looking for boutique hotels in the Lake District or the best hotels in The Lake District, check out the online tourist guides.

3. The Quaker Tapestry Kendal

The Quaker Tapestry at Kendal is a fascinating exhibition of 350 years of history. Often compared with the Bayeux Tapestry, the Quaker Tapestry was created by 4,000 people in 15 countries, and celebrates social history from the 17th Century. Family facilities include personal audio guides and interactive displays. Boutique Hotels in the Lake District are among the best hotels in the area.

4. Windermere Lake Cruises

Take a trip down Windermere on an old steamer, run by the Winderemere Steamboat Company. A trip on one of these beautifully restored boats is great fun for children and adults, and they operate daily between Ambleside, Bowness and Lake Side. Take a trip out from your Lake District hotel and enjoy an evening jazz cruise during the summer.

5. Lake District guided tour and boutique hotels

One of the best ways to explore the Lake District is by guided tour. The tours are informative and fun, and you will see some of the most spectacular scenery in the Lake District en route. Enjoy a half day or full day tour, and visit Wordsworth´s houses and Hill Top. If you want to make the most of your trip to The Lake District, book a couple of nights in a boutique hotel in Windermere and enjoy fabulous food in comfort and style.

6. Lake District Visitors Centre Brockhole

Enjoying a stunning location, the Lake District Visitors Centre at Brockhole, Windermere, offers visitors interactive exhibitions, the Mawson Gardens, an Adventure Playground and an information centre. Entrance is free of charge, and you can take a cruise to Waterhead, near Ambleside. If you want to book a luxury Lake District Hotel, check out the superb boutique hotels in the region.

7. Fell Foot Country Park Newby Bridge

Enjoy amazing views of the fells from the Fell Foot Country Park at Newby Bridge. From here there is easy access to Windermere, walking tours and boat hire. If you are looking for accommodation in the Lake District you will be spoilt for choice. Some of the best five star hotels in the Lake District and small hotels in the Lake District are situated around Windermere, Kendal, Newby Bridge and Bowness.

8. Fine ceramics by Gordon Fox Kentmere

Take a trip to Kentmere, near Staveley and visit the Fine Ceramics Studio, which produces hand-made lamps, tableware and individual pieces in multi-fired enamel. Gordon Fox ceramics are sold exclusively from the studio at Kentmere, so you won´t find them in the shops.

9. Hayes Garden World Ambleside

Hayes Garden World at Ambleside is a superb garden centre which attracts hundreds of green-fingered visitors every week. This is one of the largest garden centres in England, and the personal service you receive from the Hayes family is second to none. If you are staying in Lake District hotels, Bowness, Lake District boutique hotels, Windermere or small Lake District hotels, Ullswater, it is well worth the trip to Ambleside to visit Hayes Garden World.

10. The Lakes Discovery Museum Ambleside

Experience 2,000 years of local history at The Lakes Discovery Museum at Ambleside. Here you will find artefacts from Roman times, interactive displays, a museum shop and Beatrix Potter water colours plus a wide range of great things for the kids to do. If you are looking to stay in the Lake District, or you want a romantic hotel in the Lake District, take a look at the stylish boutique hotels in the Lake District, and check out the best hotels in the Lake District from online review guides.

Two great boutique hotels in the Lake District

Aphrodites Hotel is a new luxury themed boutique hotel offering guest accommodation in both classical and themed suites, Cleopatra, Parisien, Flinstones and Tarzan and Jane, to name a few.

21 The Lakes is a new luxury boutique hotel ideally situated between Windermere and Bowness, in the heart of the beautiful English Lake District in Cumbria. From the hotel guests have only a short stroll through the village of Bowness with its variety of quality shops, wine bars, a cinema and traditional country inns to Bowness Bay and Lake Windermere.