Gilpin, voted England¹s Best Small Hotel 2010 by Visit Britain, launches the idyllic Gilpin Lake House in the summer of 2010.
Along a quiet country lane, 2 miles from Windermere but hidden from the crowds, enter through the electric gates to discover a Lake District sanctuary. Set in one hundred acres of craggy green countryside and woodland, the Lake House is on a private lake exclusively for the enjoyment of Lake House guests.
The Lake House comprises six stunning suites designed by Christine Cunliffe along with award-winning interior designer Sarah-Jane Neilson. The house is set on a stunningly beautiful four-acre private lake with boat-house and boat. The spa’s traditional sauna and indoor swimming pool lead out onto the lakeshore and outdoor cedarwood hot tub; spa treatments can be taken in the privacy of your room.
The one hundred acres of private gardens and grounds includes summerhouse, kitchen gardens, druids circle, lake walk and other walks leading to panoramic views of the Lake District mountain ranges.
Enjoy breakfast and afternoon tea from the fire-lit lounge and conservatory whilst watching wild ducks and geese frolicking on the lake, while for dinner a chauffeur will take you to the main hotel, just a mile away. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks either at the Lake House or in the hotel’s stylish bar and wine cellars. This Lake District hotels 3 AA rosette restaurant is also rated 6 in the Good Food Guide and has four intimate dining rooms; the 5-course dinner has plenty of choice and is a celebration of some of the finest Lake District produce and West Coast seafood.
The Lake House is also perfect for family and friends getting together and the house may be booked as a whole on an exclusive use basis. Dinner may then either be taken at the hotel or our head chef, Russell Plowman, will prepare a special dinner at the Lake House.
Gilpin Lake House
Tarn Hows is perhaps one of the most famous walking spots in the Lake District and surprisingly, is man-made. Whilst slightly smaller in scale, the Lake House and its lake are very similar, but womanmade. It has been in the Cunliffe family since 1919 and great grandmother Gertie and her sisters dammed the lake, known as Knipe Tarn, and planted the stunning woodland which surrounds it.
Gilpin Lake House sits on the banks of the Knipe Tarn, in 80 acres of breathtaking grounds. The original wooden lodge has long since been replaced by a modern house built in 1982. Since 2008, Christine Cunliffe, working alongside Sarah Jane-Neilson, has created a stunning interiors show-piece to match the beauty of the natural surroundings. Ben Cunliffe as ever has been instrumental in the building projects and has extended the house to convert it into an hotel including a modern conservatory overlooking the lake, and new kitchen gardens and a summer house.
Exclusive Use - Families & Friends
Since 1919 and spanning five generations, the Cunliffe family have been coming together at the Lake House for holidays, short breaks and parties. It is a wonderful place for family groups and friends, with an abundance of natural beauty helping create an inner peace.
We have always had our own children at the Lake House, and it does inspire children, even the computer game addicted. Hopefully, after a day making camps in the woods, swimming, boating, fishing etc, they will return exhausted, but exhilarated, with tales of adventure. (However, there are obvious dangers and a full safety briefing and contract will be essential for all parties with children.) 25ft of wall to wall, floor to ceiling, glass windows overlooking Knipe Tarn and the surrounding woodland. Whatever the season, just sink into the armchairs and watch nature at it’s very best. We have always loved the ducks at dusk, in squadron formation, gliding into the centre of the lake.
Meetings
Gilpin Lake House was designed with exclusive use in mind. It is a perfect size for small meetings and whether your event is for leisure or business, the Lake House provides an inspiring and peaceful location. The conservatory is perfect as a meeting room and is an ideal venue for up to twenty, so if your party is slightly larger than twelve, up to four bedrooms may be taken at the Hotel. Our chefs will prepare and provide whatever your party desires, from comfort food to gastronomic tasting menus with perfectly matched wines.
Weddings
The Lake House is the perfect size for small, exclusive weddings and receptions. With its own lake and 80 acres of private grounds, the Lake House provides an inspiring and peaceful location. The conservatory is perfect as a wedding reception room and is an ideal venue for up to twenty, so if your party is slightly larger than twelve, up to four bedrooms may be taken at the Hotel. Our chefs will prepare and provide whatever your party desires, from comfort food to gastronomic tasting menus with perfectly matched wines.