Your stay in the Lake District doesn’t have to be all about getting out into the hills. Take a well deserved break, whether that’s from a few days of hard walking or a few months of hard working, and sink into one of these gorgeous spas. Lake District spas are perfectly located to allow you to let it all go – even when you emerge from your spa experience, idyllic lakes and fells will keep you in a state of utter relaxation.
1. Best for views – Lodore Falls
Spa days don’t come much more stunning than this. The Falls Spa at the Lodore Hotel has an outdoor hydro zone where an infinity hot tub looks out to spectacular views of Derwentwater and Catbells – the perfect place to breathe and relax in between time in a Finnish sauna, laconium, salt steam room, herbal sauna and more. The Falls also features a Rasul room, where spa hosts will take you through an ancient Arabic ritual with mineral rich-mud, heat and steam. 5 treatment rooms offer a range of unique massages, wraps and facial treatments that will be sure to soothe away any remaining stresses, aches and pains. Spa days start from £50 per person. www.lakedistrictspa.co.uk
2. Best for peace and quiet – Armathwaite Hall
A quiet estate at the top of Bassenthwaite Lake is home to 400 magnificent acres of deer park and woodland, offering a calming respite away from the hustle and bustle of the town centres. Take your time to soak it all in, resting in a deliciously heated outdoor hot tub pool and listening to the wind rustle through the leaves of Armathwaite’s beautiful garden grove. Inside there’s plenty more on offer, with a traditional sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool and 16 metre swimming pool. Spa day experiences can include afternoon tea or 2 course lunches, and the range of treatments on offer is excellent, featuring the exclusive Bespoke Aroma range which uses 100% natural ingredients. Spa days start from £95 per person. www.armathwaite-hall.com/spa/
3. Best hidden gem – Underscar
Tucked away on the lower slopes of Skiddaw, the spa at Underscar is a real hidden gem perfectly located for anyone staying in Keswick. Situated amongst ancient wood and parkland, beautiful views of Derwent and the local fells will frame your visit. Spa days are designed to appeal to both men and women and range from the ‘Mindulness’ half day to a ‘TLC recharge’ full day – there’s something for everyone. Special occasion coming up? Celebration packages are available which include a glass of fizz, lunch and goody bag. All packages include full use of the facilities, featuring a pool, jacuzzi, gym, steam room and sauna. Spa days start from £49 per person. www.underscarspa.co.uk/our-spa
4. Best for people who say they don’t like spa days – Another Place
A modern take on the spa experience, Another Place’s ‘Swim Club’ on Ullswater is an unassuming and refreshing option for anyone in need of a reset. The pool is simply breathtaking, with light spilling in from all angles, thanks to a wall of window onto the fells and skylight. The sauna has glass doors to indulge you in similar views, whilst an outdoor heated hot tub rounds off your experience, sheltered so you can enjoy it in all weathers. A cosy snug hosts treatments, with massages, wraps, brushes, scrubs and more, along with a manicure and pedicure room. If there’s someone in your group who’s sore and aching from your mountain adventures, but would never pick a spa experience, this is the place for them. Day memberships start from £110 and include a 60-minute treatment of your choice. another.place/swim-club/
5. Best for a post-walk treat – The Daffodil Hotel
Over in Grasmere, the Daffodil Hotel is a luxurious Lake District institution. The building itself dates back to the tourism boom from the Victorian era, but the interior has been modernised and updated to offer a beautifully relaxing experience inside and out. In partnership with top European skincare house Germain de Capuccini, the Daffodil Spa offers a unique range of treatments to Cumbria, along with a range of indulgent facilities; a thermal pool with jets, sauna & steam room, a mud rasul where the bather can apply natural mud products, and a tepidarium. If you’re planning on some big days in the hills, plan your recovery and sign up for the Twilight Spa, available for three hours in the early evening including a luxury therapy treatment, use of the facilities and an antipasti board for just £55pp. Spa days start from £80 per person. www.daffodilhotel.co.uk/spa/
6. Best for a breath of fresh air – Rothay Garden
Located near Grasmere, this riverside spa is a little oasis which ‘brings the outside in’. Floor to ceiling views of the surrounding fells are framed by a gorgeous garden and soundtracked by the river flowing nearby. A perfectly heated hydrospa offers the ultimate in indulgence, whilst a herbal pine sauna, with views onto the garden, will heat you through and through even on the coldest day. In the summer, the doors open up and you’ll be able to feel the fresh breeze on your face as you sit back and relax – maybe with a glass of wine or pint on the decking too. Treatments start from £65. rothaygarden.com/lake-district-spa-facilities/
7. Best for recharging on your way home – North Lakes Hotel Spa
With rustic wooden beams and a stylish interior, it’s easy to forget you’re just minutes away from the M6 in this incredibly well-equipped spa. Situated in Penrith, it makes the perfect place to stop off on your way to or from the northern Lakes, breaking up your journey with the ideal rejuvenation. As well as a swimming pool, warming sauna and soothing whirlpool, their wellness offering includes a signature range combining Caudalie products with uniquely crafted treatments. Get yourself ready to re-enter the world with a ‘Finishing Touch’, from a full 45-minute makeover to routine waxes, tans, manicures and pedicures. Spa days start from £70. www.northlakeshotel.co.uk/spa-fitness/spa/