As a business built around helping people make the most of their time in the Lake District, we spend a lot of time talking about places to stay, things to do and where to eat.
It’s rare that we ever call one business ‘the best’, but in this instance, I think we have to make an exception…
The Spa at Armathwaite Hall is by far the best spa in the Lake District.
A few months into life as a new mum, a couple of uninterrupted hours to herself felt less like a luxury and more like a necessity. Anyone who has navigated those early weeks and months of parenthood will know the feeling. Sleep becomes a distant memory, your diary revolves around feeds and naps, and even the simplest acts of self-care can start to feel impossible…
So, when the opportunity came for an afternoon at Armathwaite Hall, overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake, it couldn’t have been more perfectly timed.
The first thing that strikes you about the spa is the setting.
Even by Lake District standards, it’s special.
Sitting just above the shore of Bassenthwaite, surrounded by woodland and fells, there is an immediate sense of calm before you’ve even stepped through the door. It feels secluded, without being remote, and luxurious without being intimidating. It’s easy to get a sense of imposter syndrome when you’re somewhere as incredible as this!
What really sets it apart, though, is the people.
We’ve visited plenty of spas over the years, and it’s often the staff that make the difference between a decent experience and an unforgettable one. From arrival to departure, the team at the Spa genuinely couldn’t have been better. Warm, welcoming and completely unpretentious, they seem to have mastered that rare balance of being attentive without ever feeling intrusive.
For Rebecca especially, that warmth made all the difference. Sometimes hospitality isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about making someone feel comfortable, looked after and able to properly switch off for a few hours. The team here do that effortlessly.
The Spa itself is equally impressive. The infinity pool is probably one of the most iconic spa experiences in the Lake District, and for good reason. Looking out across Bassenthwaite towards the surrounding fells, it’s one of those views that somehow slows everything down. Whether you’re floating in the warm water or sitting quietly by the poolside, it’s impossible not to relax.
Beyond the pool, the thermal facilities are excellent. Time seems to disappear as you move between the sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy areas. There’s no pressure to rush anywhere or follow a schedule. You simply settle into the rhythm of the afternoon and enjoy being completely disconnected from everyday life.
The spa’s location within the Armathwaite Hall estate only adds to its sense of escape. Everywhere you look, there’s another view worthy of stopping for. Ancient woodland, rolling lawns, glimpses of the lake through the trees. It all feels quintessentially Lake District, but with an added sense of tranquillity that’s often hard to find in some of the busier parts of the National Park.
It’s easy to see why so many people consider it one of the best spas in Cumbria.
In fact, we’d go one step further and say it may well be the best spa experience in the Lake District.
Not because it’s the biggest or the flashiest, but because every element works together so seamlessly. The setting is beautiful, the facilities are outstanding and the staff are exceptional.
Most importantly, you leave feeling exactly as a spa day should make you feel: rested, refreshed and genuinely looked after.
For Rebecca, those few hours of peace and quiet were priceless.
For anyone considering a spa day, whether you’re a new parent in need of a reset, celebrating a special occasion, or simply looking for a little time to yourself, The Spa at Armathwaite Hall comes very highly recommended.
Some places help you relax. Armathwaite Hall helps you remember what relaxed actually feels like.
To book your Spa break, or browse their website, click here.
