The Wordsworth Hotel and Spa

Originally built as a hunting lodge in the mid 19th-century and opened as a guesthouse shortly after, the Wordsworth Hotel was named after the renowned poet who is buried nearby and who described the area as "the loveliest spot that man hath ever found." The property is an attractive, country house built from local stone and slate and is surrounded by over two acres of riverside gardens with pretty flower beds, tidy lawns, and assorted shrubbery. Upon entering the lobby the mood is homey and welcoming, like stepping into a typical, traditional English home complete with mantelpiece knick-knacks, a crackling log fire, and framed family photos. The rest of the hotel follows suit with floral tasseled curtains, patterned carpets, and plaid-upholstered sofas giving a slightly jumbled yet provincial feel to the place. 

The Wordsworth Hotel is located in the center of the pretty village of Grasmere, right in the very center of the Lake District National Park. Grasmere itself has plenty of places to visit within walking distance, including Dove Cottage where Wordsworth used to live as well as the 13th-century churchyard where the poet and his wife are buried. The village also makes a great base for day trips to the nearby towns of Ambleside, Windermere, and Keswick, not to mention the starting point of plenty of country walks and nature trails. 

The hotel's 39 rooms are decorated in a blend of traditional decor with a modern finish including antique-style furnishings, floral patterned wallpaper, and carpeted floors. In-room amenities are what you'd expect -- free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee facilities, while free mineral water is also provided free of charge. Tiled bathrooms are clean and modern with good quality toiletries and most include tubs. While most rooms are spacious with pleasant views over the village or gardens, Courtyard rooms have limited or unimpressive views and can be on the small side. 

The Signature Restaurant is certainly a hotel highlight offering award-winning (AA Rossette) fine dining sourced with local ingredients. The contemporary Dove Bar and Bistro offers a more relaxed experience of traditional food and real ales served beside a cozy log fire. Lined with neoclassical columns, the hotel's indoor pool overlooks the garden and includes loungers and a hot tub, while a sauna and spa treatments are also available. Guests arriving by car have use of free parking (a little way from the hotel) and Wi-Fi is free of charge throughout.