If you’re on the lookout for an elegant, luxurious stay in the iconic Lake District, then The Beech Hill Hotel is the perfect spot to unwind in complete comfort.
At this point in my 10-week-long ‘A Walk in the Parks‘ adventure, I was facing one of the biggest challenges of the entire expedition.
It was at this point that I had to walk up Scafell Pike (the tallest mountain in England). Beyond the physical feat of the climb, this was definitely a huge mental challenge too.
I was already four weeks (and four national parks) in, and the tiredness was definitely starting to hit!
But I made it to the top and, after the triumph had set in and I made it back down, you can best believe that I didn’t leave the hotel for the next two days!
The Beech Hill Hotel was the perfect place to rest and recuperate. The spa is amazing, and the restaurant is one of the best in the area. And, although we had no other plans than to rest in the room, the hotel is a short drive away from Windermere, so it’s a great location for exploring the rest of Cumbria, too.
Exploring The Lake District
The Lake District is one of the most popular and most visited National Parks in the UK, and there are no prizes for guessing why.
The Lake District boasts some of the country’s most stunning, serene landscapes, made even more distinctive by its rolling hills and vast lakes.
The park’s most famous lakes include Windermere, Ullswater and Derwentwater, but this only scratches the surface.
The Lake District is England’s largest national park, stretching out over 2362 square kilometres. Within this, its three largest lakes are Windermere (spanning 14.8 square kilometres, and the longest lake in England), Ullswater (8.9 square kilometres) and Derwentwater (5.5 square kilometres), alongside many more.
These huge bodies of water make hiking across the Lake District constantly fascinating, and they ensure there’s never a dull moment!
Then, there are the awe-inspiring mountains and fells. So, it’s easy to see why so many of history’s most famous writings – including William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter – famously took their inspiration from these routes.
You can even take a walk in their shoes, and visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage and Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top homes.
Best Luxury Hotel In The Lake District
The Rooms At The Beech Hill Hotel
The Beech Hill Hotel is a 4 star hotel, which feels like a complete escape from the rest of the world.
After successfully climbing Scafell Pike, rest was just what I needed. So, me and my friend Hannah from Coworking Corner checked into the hotel, for a two night stay (with absolutely no plans to leave for the next few days!).
We were blessed with amazing weather and the sun shining, so this gave us the perfect opportunity to make full use of the hot tub just outside our room. And time in the big bubbly freestanding bath in our huge bathroom.
We opted for the stunning Windermere Suite. This came with our own balcony, which gave us unbelievable views over the lake. We even had our own hot tub, which we relaxed in while soaking up the extraordinary surroundings. One of my favourite moments in the entire trip was when we watched and listened to low-flying military jets, which passed over Lake Windermere as we lounged in the hot tub.
We also had two resident friends who came to say hello. A friendly Robin and an equally friendly Pheasant who knocked at the window with Robin as I took a work call. A sign we were truly in a middle of a national park and far from a city!
With the weather being so glorious, we made the most of every little bit of sunshine. But, if you’re visiting at a slightly colder or rainier time of year, then the room also came with a huge bathroom and amazing freestanding bath. So, it was just as luxurious inside as it was out on the balcony!
The suite is super spacious, with a big sofa area, large TV, desk and huge walk in shower and double sink. I could have happily spent even longer relaxing here and taking in the lakeside views.
The hotel also has a super luxurious spa, which has its own hot tubs, an indoor pool, vitality spa pools, a sauna and a wide range of treatment rooms.
The only downside of this stay was that Cookie wasn’t able to join me for the hike. Unfortunately, she’d had to go home because of the heat, and after hurting her paw. So, I completed the Lake District leg without her for company. I chose this hotel knowing that it was a beautiful place to stay, but knowing that it isn’t dog-friendly, so I wouldn’t be able to bring her on a return trip.
The Beech Hill Hotel Restaurant
To complete our indulgent mini break, we treated ourselves to a delicious three-course meal at their fancy restaurant, on both nights of our stay.
Burlington’s is an AA award-winning restaurant, showcasing the finest fresh, local produce, in a menu of rich British classics, with creative twists. You can enjoy an aperitif and nibbles on the balcony before moving into the restaurant.
As with the rest of the hotel, the restaurant had an elegant and relaxing vibe, and we ate with Lake Windermere providing an incredible backdrop.
We had breakfast in the restaurant too which included a great range of treats including make your own pancakes! They also have a bar menu in the lounge area, where we enjoyed a light lunch in our robes in between hot tub dips.
Tips For Climbing Scafell Pike
Just a short drive away from The Beech Hill Hotel, you can start your walk towards the awe-inspiring Scafell Pike.
Climbing England’s tallest mountain is a fantastic challenge, and one that I was immensely proud to have completed. If you’re looking for your next outdoor adventure, I’d highly recommend taking this mountain on!
If you are preparing for your ascent, then here are my tips for climbing Scafell Pike:
- Don’t underestimate the journey – many people assume that, because Scafell Pike is the smallest of the National Three Peaks, it is an easy route. This is certainly not the case! The walk usually takes around 3-4 hours, but if you’re not used to hiking, this can be a long time ascending up steep paths. So, do some training in advance, and get your legs used to the feeling of climbing for long periods.
- Make sure you stop for a break – as with any exercise, you need to take a break and eat some fuel before you need it. If you wait to take a break when you’re feeling exhausted and drained, then it’ll be very hard to bring your motivation and energy levels back up. So, keep taking regular breaks, and don’t be embarrassed to pause – simply kick back for a few minutes and enjoy the view!
- Prepare for unexpected weather conditions – the Lake District has particularly high levels of rainfall. So, even if the forecast predicts sunny weather, make sure you still come prepared for rain or clouds!
- Test your footwear – you need to be certain that your chosen footwear will keep you supported and comfortable throughout the entire climb. So, make sure you choose sturdy, waterproof boots with good ankle support. Then, test them on at least two long walks prior to you leaving for the Lake District.
- Choose the best route for you – there are five routes up the mountain: Wasdale Head, Dungeon Ghyll, the Corridor route, the Boot and Seathwaite. Each of these offers their own strengths (for instance, Wasdale Head is the shortest route), so do plenty of research in advance, and choose the route that is the best fit for your fitness level and hiking experience.
I had a wonderful stay at The Beech Hill Hotel, and it provided the perfect spell of luxury and relaxation after an exhausting hike across the Lake District. So, when I return on my next outdoorsy holiday, I will definitely look forward to visiting again. So, if you’re looking for a luxurious trip to the Lake District, then you’d be hard-pushed to beat a stay at The Beech Hill Hotel.
