Top 5 spas in the Lake District

It’s not every day you find the space to spoil yourself with some valuable down time, so let us help you to enjoy some much-deserved relaxation by sharing some of the best spas in the Lake District.

The Lake District is home to many wonders: big hills, deep lakes and charming villages to name a few. It is no wonder thousands flock here every year to experience an outdoor world like no other! But as well as those who seek relaxation in the outdoors, there are those holiday makers who seek rest in another way – spa culture! 

Spas offer a wide range of services that include massages, facial treatments and body therapies and these treatments are all offered to individuals with the same goal – for you to experience and benefit from deep relaxation. It is proven that slowing the body down completely and giving it some TLC can improve your all-round health and wellness.

The known benefits of spending time in a spa:

• Helps one to de-stress
• Helps with anti-ageing
• Promotes better sleep
• Relieves aches and pains
• Increses happiness

The Lake District boasts a number of hotels and centres that offer spa days and quite often this extends to lunch or dinner included in the package, where you can enjoy tasty food in a sophisticated setting. For those who are holidaying in groups with a variety of interests, it is good to have spa days as a standby option for those who fancy a slow day. It is a popular choice for mothers and daughters, as well as hen parties and couples – who doesn’t like a pamper day?

Hot rooms like the sauna and steam room are the perfect medicine for achy legs, so plan in a pamper day amongst all the hill walking days to rejuvenate the muscles before the next climb. Then retreat to a cosy self-catering cottage for a lazy glass of wine for the perfect end to a day of relaxation.

Although most spas are found in hotels, many of them offer day packages where you can visit and enjoy the facilities. This is a nice way to add a bit of luxury to your trip. Here are our top five spas in the Lake District.

Armthwaite Hall

Located in a stunning rural setting, Armathwaite Hall Hotel is home to a contemporary spa which offers a bespoke and personalised spa experience. Boasting an extensive range of treatments and therapies, the spa prides itself on giving you top service and making sure you leave feeling fully relaxed. This is a beautiful countryside retreat which can be enjoyed by everyone and, with views over Lake Bassenthwaite, it makes for a wonderful day out to reconnect with your partner or wind down with friends.

Features to enjoy:

• 16-metre infinity edge pool (1.2 metres deep) with a view of the garden
• Outdoor hot tub overlooking the garden
• Hydrotherapy pool with hydro jets and neck shower
• Steam room, sauna and aroma room

Prices: Packages range from half-day experiences starting from £40pp to full-day experiences starting from £145pp. All details can be found on their website and many of the packages include breakfast in the Courtyard Brasserie, or afternoon tea or lunch in the Lake View Lounge. View the website for all the details. 

Stay close by: Garth Cottage. Millbeck near Keswick. Sleeps 4, from £740/week. This is a characterful and spacious period cottage with breathtaking views of the mountains and Bassenthwaite Lake. 

Lodore Falls

Overlooking the picturesque Lake Derwentwater, the 4-star Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa is set in 40 acres of tranquil land with a waterfall and a lakeshore. Plan a day here to enjoy all the spa has to offer and follow it with an afternoon tea, lunch or dinner in the 2 AA Rosette award-winning Lake View Restaurant.

Features to enjoy:

• Five treatment rooms offering massages, facials and grooming
• Outdoor infinity edge vitality pool with neck jets, underwater loungers and stunning views
• Thermal suite and relaxation lounge
• Exclusive Champagne bar

Prices: The spa offers a range of packages from a half day starting at £90pp to full-day experiences starting at £150pp. Whether you want to enjoy this as a couple or a group, there is a package to help everyone de-stress and unwind. View the website for all the details. 

Stay close by: Yewtree Apartment 1 and Yewtree Apartment 2. Keswick. Sleeps 4, 1 dog welcome. From £497/week. These are two cosy apartments set in the pretty market town of Keswick. Booked separately or together, they act as a brilliant base for exploring all the Lake District has to offer. 

The Ambleside Salutation

The Waterfall Spa is situated in the Ambleside Salutation Hotel in the bustling yet picturesque village of Ambleside in the heart of the Lake District. It’s been designed to create a trendy and relaxing atmosphere with contemporary furnishings, attractive artwork, soft coloured lighting and soothing music. With luxurious treatments ranging from facials to pedicures, you can be sure to leave here feeling totally spoilt and pampered which is the aim of any spa day!

Features to enjoy:

• Indoor pool with lounge area
• Outdoor hydrotherapy pool
• Gymnasium with advanced techno gym equipment
• Steam room, sauna and ice fountain

Prices: Prices range from £58 to £155 covering a variety of half-day and full-day packages which let you enjoy a wide range of treatments and leisure facilities. You can also get your nails done or get a haircut in their in-house salon! View the website for all the details. 

Stay close by: North Cottage. Ambleside. Sleeps 2. From £387/week. This is a contemporary, detached cottage in the heart of Ambleside, set in an elevated position with views over the hills. 

Low Wood Bay

Set on Lake Windermere, the spa at Low Wood Bay is built on a former working farm where the old stables and dairy used to exist. However, the atmosphere now is far away from farmland, bringing you a contemporary and modern spa with a different kind of mud! Offering every sort of treatment, from massages and facials to manicures and pedicures, there is everything here to make sure you leave feeling totally spoilt and relaxed.

Features to enjoy:

• Thermal indoor and outdoor pools with views out over the fells and lake
• Infra-red dry salt sauna
• Coconut steam room
• Herbal lounge with swinging seats
• Relaxation lounge

Prices: There is a full list of spa days on the website which gives you an idea of length, times and different packages. Packages range from £100 - £400.  

Stay close by: Thirlmere 16. Windermere. Sleeps 4, 2 dogs welcome. From £824/week. This is a fabulous lodge near the shores of Lake Windermere, set in a holiday park with use of the leisure complex.

The Spa at Underscar

Nestled on the lower slopes of Skiddaw, you can escape from it all at this luxurious spa and be inspired by the natural beauty of the surroundings. Appealing textures of stone and wood complemented by sumptuous fabrics, attractive artwork, soothing music and soft coloured lighting provide a haven of peace and tranquillity that you will never forget. It combines different treatments to indulge the senses and soothe the body and you can also enjoy a delicious light lunches and great leisure facilities. 

Feature to enjoy:

• Indoor swimming pool with relaxed lighting
• Jacuzzi
• Sauna
• Steam room
• Fully equipped gym

Prices: Spa days at Underscar are designed to appeal to both men and women and start from just £49 (half day) or £80 (full day), offering excellent value for money. View the website for all the details. 

Stay close by: Stile End Cottage. Keswick. Sleeps 8, 1 dog welcome. From £938/week. This stylish house is ideal for a couple of families or one big one and is a wonderful base for exploring the North Lakes area. 

If we have inspired you to come and enjoy a spa day in the Lake District make sure you check out our selection of self-catering accommodation. Our collection ranges from romantic and trendy apartments to large barn conversions that fit the whole family. Whether you are looking for a retreat in a friendly village or privacy in the fells, we will have something that will suit you. And don’t forget - we have plenty of cottages with hot tubs and dog-friendly cottages too!