All hotels should be equally hospitable places, for all guests. But proclaiming an LGBTQIA+ welcome on their sleeve ensures you’ll feel comfortable and welcomed beyond the shadow of a doubt, and that’s really important for kicking off any holiday in a relaxing way! Below we’ve collated a list of some of our favourite self-proclaimed LGBTQ+-friendly hotels across the Lake District.
Cranleigh Boutique
Look no further than Bowness-on-Windermere’s Cranleigh Boutique for a special occasion sprinkled with glam. With accommodation across three different sites – the Hideaway, the Church Suites and the main hotel, the Cranleigh name stands for plush, luxe aesthetics, quality touches, and a genuine welcome.
In the main Cranleigh Boutique, just on the hill up out of Bowness, you’ll find a warm welcome from reception staff before you’re shown to the privacy of your glamorous room. Colour-change mood lighting, two-person spa baths, complimentary room service breakfast and complimentary cocktails from Fizzy Tarté (their local sibling bar venue) are all elements which make upgrading your choice to a suite an extra-special touch if you’re planning a trip away á deux, and all add to the romantic vibes this hotel prides itself upon.
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Lakes Hotel & Spa
The Lakes Hotel & Spa is one of the largest hotels in the Lakes, located just up the hill from Lake Windermere and the bustling village of Bowness on Windermere. This contemporary and stylish luxury hotel is a great base for exploring the Lakes, and a great option if you need to rely on public transport as it’s easily accessible from Windermere station and close to Bowness for further transport. This 5-star hotel is spacious and accommodating and comes fully equipped with a lavish spa, including two hot tubs, a steam room, a sauna, a cold plunge pool, water features, and a poolside bar alongside the atmospheric pool itself. Treatment rooms offer a large range of treatments using Elemis products.
Treat yourself to an evening dining on Asian fusion small plates at Mizumi, where dark and brooding interior design combines grand-scale cherry blossom branches and a statuesque Buddha in the courtyard. Enjoy the likes of sushi, maki and uramaki, as well as aubergine tempura, Honshu popcorn cod and Red pork belly – sharing 4-6 dishes with your partner to fully make the most of the tasty dishes on this sharing menu.
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Holbeck Ghyll Country House
Breath-taking views coincide with old Country House elegance and style in this Lakes hotel. Each room, updated with its own character (whilst remaining respectful of its history), will make you feel relaxed and restored. Dine in-house to enjoy food which prioritises local produce and quality ingredients, in a menu combining the traditional with contemporary flair. Choose from their unique Lake and Fell view bedrooms and the variety of in-room options available in each, from hot tubs to decked balconies with lake views to roll-top baths. This is the spot for quiet calm and sophisticated solitude.
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Linthwaite House
The utter charm of Linthwaite House comes from the conjunction of contemporary art and design in such a beautiful old Lake-view house. Overlooking Windermere, the sprawling estate is a welcoming environment for all guests. Privacy and comfort are priorities here, whilst you’re in for a treat if dining in-house, as multi-Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan’s restaurant Henrock provides incredible food. Focussing on sustainability and local produce (often from Our Farm, Rogan’s local growing project bringing plenty of tasty and heritage fruits, vegetables and herbs into his restaurants), this seasonally-minded set tasting menu (which nevertheless provides options for starter, main, and dessert) will set you up for an evening (or Sunday lunch) of gastronomic delight.
Explore 14 acres of beautiful estate gardens, and even wander up to the private tarn and borrow one of their row boats for a day truly soaking in the Lake District surroundings.
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The Westbourne
Set on a quiet street just below Biskey Howe viewpoint, this 4* Bowness Bed & Breakfast ensures all feel welcome. A contemporary cottage-style charm brings warmth and friendliness to the interiors, and their freshly prepared hearty breakfasts will ensure you’re feeling up to some fell walking (or a little light ramble around Bowness’ chocolate box-village shops, only a ten-minute wander from the hotel itself).
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The Leathes Head, Borrowdale Valley, Keswick
This adults-only Edwardian country house is set in more than two acres of mature landscapes in the heart of Borrowdale. The 11 unique bedrooms are individually appointed, and most enjoy lovely, unspoilt countryside views.
A previous winner of Cumbria Tourism’s Small Hotel of the Year, the hotel also features an award-winning restaurant courtesy of chef Liam Philbin. Locally grown or reared produce is carefully crafted into beautiful dishes on an appetising set menu featuring mouth-watering dishes such as ‘ox cheek, fermented yeast extract, pearl barley, cep, pickled truffle’ and ‘rabbit cannelloni, peas, morels, pancetta foam’ (there is also the option of a vegetarian menu). All this is only a ten-minute drive from the centre of Keswick, should you need to escape rural tranquillity.
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The Three Shires Langdale
Immersed in rural tranquillity, this traditional country inn in the heart of the Langdale Valley offers a relaxed, warm welcome to every visitor. Aiming to make your stay memorable, the combination of beautiful views outside, traditional comfort inside, and a team of warm-hearted staff all add up to something special.
Ten individually furnished doubles alongside three fabulous suites (ideal for an extra-special treat), mean that this small but perfectly formed home-away-from-home is the perfect place to come back to, for mountain views after outdoor adventures. Dine on fresh, local produce in the restaurant, enjoy a pint of cask ale by the fire, and look out upon stunning rolling verdant fields and on, to Wetherlam and Tilberthwaite Fells.
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The Inn at Ravenglass
This popular and lively pub on the far West of the Lakes looks out over the sea for a different Lake District landscape. A popular stop after the famous heritage Ravenglass railway line, enjoy fresh beers and brilliant fresh seafood at the restaurant before retiring to your own accommodation – comprised of much of the pub’s upper storey. With only two spaciously appointed rooms available, you’ll enjoy complete tranquillity as you enjoy views over the beautiful estuary. Enjoy breakfast in the neighbouring Pennington Hotel, another venue owned by the Inn’s owners in this charming little village.
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We only value the locations where a warm welcome is extended to all, regardless of gender, race, ability, or sexuality. We hope all visitors will find a warm welcome in Cumbria, across its plethora of attractions, landscapes, dining options and accommodations.
We hope you enjoyed our LGBTQ+ Lake District article; keep reading and planning things to do with the Best Pub Food in the Lake District.
