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Privacy NoticeIn my job I’ve been lucky enough to travel to some of the world’s most exotic locations, yet one place that I revisit every year is the Lake District. I love nothing more than to spend the day hiking across Cumbria’s famously spectacular scenery before finishing at an old-fashioned country pub, and with a lovely hotel to come back to. I’ve stayed at a number of the best hotels in the Lake District – including Storrs Hall, Lodore Falls and The Samling, all of which I highly recommend – but Brimstone Hotel and Spa is one that I come back to time and time again; it has everything that I prioritise on this type of holiday.
Brimstone is part of the Langdale Estate, north of Ambleside
(Image: Lee John Mann Photography)
The rooms at Brimstone Hotel Located on the Langdale Estate just north of Ambleside, Brimstone is an adults-only collection of luxurious rooms and suites, many of which come with balconies, log fires and freestanding bathtubs. Different to the ‘country house’ style of interior design typical of five-star hotels, Brimstone’s decor is modern and plush, all open-plan spaces, grey tones and fancy lighting choices. Brimstone does everything else a little differently too. There’s no reception desk; instead one of the establishment’s friendly hosts greets you, takes you to your room and explains where everything is. Instead of a bar there’s a ‘reading room’ filled with complimentary wine, drinks and snacks. It’s a relaxed atmosphere without any stuffiness, and you’ll quickly make yourself at home. Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury also stayed here earlier this year, pre-break-up. If you’re looking to visit with children or want a slightly cheaper option, you can instead book into the estate’s Langdale Hotel, or one of the self-catering properties on the complex.
One of the plush suites at Brimstone
(Image: Lee John Mann Photography)
The spa at Brimstone Hotel The Brimstone Spa regularly makes the list of the best UK spas. There are lots of different thermal rooms to ‘journey’ through before finishing in the outdoor hydro-pool by a crackling log fire, perhaps with a glass of fizz from the spa deli. Despite being open to anyone staying on the estate, it has never felt busy when I’ve visited. Brimstone guests get free spa access, and padding across in slippers and robes is the perfect way to relax after a long day of walking.
The spa’s hydro-pool is the perfect place to relax
(Image: Lee John Mann Photography)
What to do around Brimstone Hotel One of the main reasons why we love staying at Brimstone so much is the location. My partner and I love a long, strenuous hike up some of the Lakes’ stunning peaks, but we like to begin and end a walk from our hotel rather than driving to a starting point – and there are plenty of these routes around the Langdale Estate (borrow gear from the hotel’s Boot Room if you’ve come underprepared) . Our favourite is an arduous ascent up to Silver How, where you’re rewarded with stunning views from the top, before descending to the quaint village of Grasmere (picking up some of Grasmere’s famous gingerbread is a must). The easy 45-minute walk along the Elter Water is also not to be missed, and worth it alone for a stopoff at Chesters By The River, a popular vegetarian bakery serving delicious sweet and savoury treats.
Chesters By The River is a must-visit, says Laura
(Image: Laura Mulley)
The Langdale Estate does have a restaurant, Stove, but we usually either embrace the traditional pub grub at nearby Wainwrights’ or The Britannia Inn, or alternatively be willing to travel further afield to some of the Lake District’s famous fine dining spots such as The Samling or Forest Side. A buffet breakfast is served at Stove too, or Brimstone guests can opt to have breakfast delivered to their room. Staying here isn’t cheap, but I do think that you get your money’s worth, despite something of a challenging recruitment crisis facing hospitality businesses in the Lake District.. You’re encouraged to eat and drink as much as you like from the reading room, the Brimstone Land Rover Defender is available to give you lifts (book in advance), and there’s a boot room from which you can borrow top-of-the-range walking clothes and footwear. During the number of times I’ve stayed here I’ve always discovered something new: this last time it was a cocktail trolley visiting your room before dinner, purchasable gifts in your room “for the kids or the ones looking after them”, and a previously unseen second floor to the spa lined with huge cosy days beds. This combination of location, luxurious rooms and relaxed approach is what makes Brimstone a real long-time favourite of mine. How much does it cost to stay at Brimstone Hotel? Rooms at Brimstone Hotel and Spa start from £416.50 per night including breakfast and access to the Boot Room, Reading Room and Spa.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnMolly-Mae HagueTommy FuryTravel
