Linthwaite House Hotel

Some hotels are nice enough that you enjoy your stay and move on. And then there are hotels that make you think: **"Right, I'm coming back."** Linthwaite House near Lake Windermere is firmly in the second category for me. I first visited in August 2025 after **winning a night's stay**, and clearly I enjoyed it enough because I returned in April 2026 for another two nights! This time we stayed in a Classic Room with breakfast — and I have a feeling it won't be my last visit. ## A Hotel That's Almost Too Photogenic If you're wondering why there are quite so many photos in this review, I'm afraid I have no defence. **Linthwaite House is ridiculously photogenic.** The property has an eclectic personality that immediately sets it apart from more conventional country-house hotels. There are sculptures, statues and artwork dotted around the hotel and grounds, and you never quite know what you're going to find around the next corner. It's quirky without being gimmicky and elegant without feeling stuffy. Basically, it's a photographer's dream. And then there's the view. The grounds include a lovely viewing point looking out towards **Lake Windermere**, giving you a chance to appreciate the surrounding Lake District landscape without even having to leave the property. Although, of course, you absolutely should leave the property... ## Your Lake District Base The hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring the **Lake District**, so while the rooms are comfortable and cosy, I wouldn't recommend spending all day in one. There are walks to be discovered, scenery to admire and plenty of excuses to work off the food you're inevitably going to eat when you return! Back at the hotel, you can relax with a drink or coffee in the bar, wander around the grounds or simply find somewhere quiet to sit and enjoy the surroundings. It's the sort of place where doing absolutely nothing can actually feel quite productive. ## Rooms: Cosy Rather Than Showy Our Classic Room was comfortable and cosy, with everything we needed for a couple of nights. But for me, the rooms aren't necessarily the main attraction. That's not a criticism — quite the opposite. When you're staying somewhere like Linthwaite House, you really want to get outside and explore the property, take in the views, enjoy the food and then head out into the Lake District itself. ## Food, Glorious Food And now we get to one of the biggest reasons I keep coming back. **The food.** Breakfast was excellent, and you can also enjoy lunch and dinner in the conservatory. But the real star of the show is **Henrock**, the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant. I've now eaten there **twice**. And if you take one thing from this review, make it this: **Book a table.** The photographs I've included of the food and menus really don't do the experience justice. The food is outstanding, the service is excellent and — considering the quality of what you're getting — I think the pricing is remarkably reasonable. There are restaurants where the food is technically very good but you leave thinking, "Well, that was nice." Henrock is different. It's the sort of meal you find yourself talking about afterwards. And because I've now eaten there twice, clearly I'm doing my bit for research. You're welcome. ## Little Extras Around the Grounds There's plenty to do without getting in the car. You can have a go at **croquet** or challenge someone to a game of **giant chess**, which is considerably more entertaining than it sounds. There's also a small gym next to the croquet lawn. I'll be honest: it's fairly small and basic. My recommendation? **Go for a long walk instead.** You're in the Lake District. Take advantage of it! One feature I particularly liked was the availability of an **electric vehicle charging point**, which you can reserve. I believe charging is complimentary, although I'd recommend checking the current arrangements with the hotel before relying on that. It's a small detail, but increasingly useful for anyone travelling by EV. ## The Personal Touch The staff were excellent on both of my visits and always made us feel very welcome. On my most recent stay, the Guest Services team had arranged both a **birthday gift and an anniversary gift**, which was a really thoughtful touch. It's those little details that make a return visit feel special rather than simply familiar. And after winning my first stay, coming back and receiving that kind of welcome made it feel like I'd made the right decision in returning. ## Would I Stay Again? Without hesitation. In fact, I think I've already made my position pretty clear. **If I return to the Lake District, I'm staying here.** The combination of the beautiful grounds, quirky artwork and sculptures, Lake Windermere views, comfortable rooms, excellent staff and — most importantly — fantastic food makes Linthwaite House somewhere I genuinely look forward to returning to. And there's something particularly satisfying about a hotel that you originally discovered by chance — in my case, by actually **winning a stay** — and then liking it enough to willingly pay to come back. That's probably the best endorsement I can give it. **Verdict: A characterful and wonderfully photogenic Lake District retreat with beautiful grounds, excellent food and one very good reason to return — Henrock. I came here because I won a night. I'm coming back because I loved it.**

Emasculate hotel in stunning grounds It has a tarn with a few rowing boats Amazing view over lake Windermere The staff go above & beyond!!! The tasting menu is incredible We had the wine to match The Best few days & we will definitely return

A really wonderful hotel, one of the nicest I’ve been to anywhere in the world! It has a balance of professionalism, high standards, and excellence with a relaxed, homely, informal comfort that makes you want to stay long after you have to leave! Great staff, super friendly, and very good at their jobs and a joy to be around. And the views are breathtaking! Couldn’t recommend it more, I will definitely be back! Thank you!

This place is everything you can hope for. Not only is it perfectly located but the building is as lovely as it gets as well as the staff. They are always there to take care of you with a smile on their faces. Just loved it here!!!

Amazing. Worth every second of time and money. Loved it. Great service, room, food. Can’t find even a small nit pick. Loved it.