Nestled in the heart of the Borrowdale Valley and just a 15-minute drive from Keswick, Borrowdale Gates Hotel is the kind of country retreat that makes you want to put your phone away, get your walking boots on and soak up as much of the Lake District’s beautiful landscape as possible.
Alfred Wainwright once called this area “picture perfect” – and it’s easy to see why. With Catbells rising in the backdrop, green pastures stretching into the distance, and Derwentwater just minutes away, every hotel window acts a picture frame for the natural beauty which surrounds Borrowdale.
Built in the mid-19th century as a private home for Margaret Heathcote, the hotel still has the feel of an elegant country house. Set in three acres of land, it’s intimate rather than imposing – a mix of Victorian charm and contemporary style, with log fires in the lounge, soft bold floral prints and fabrics in the bedrooms, and fancy yet subtle art-deco touches in the bar and restaurant.
The rooms range from classic to garden suites, all beautifully decorated with Egyptian cotton sheets, coffee machines, and plenty of space to stretch out. Our superior suite stretches seamlessly from bedroom to lounge, with glass doors leading to a private patio looking out over the gardens and fells. It balanced comfort and luxury perfectly – where you really feel at home but completely spoiled at the same time.
Afternoons at Borrowdale are made for tea on the terrace. We asked to have ours outside under the trees with views across the hills and it felt like a very well deserved reward after a morning exploring.
Delicate sandwiches included ham with mustard and tomato, classic cucumber with salmon as well as egg mayo, warm freshly baked fruit scones with jam and cream, and a sweet treats of passionfruit cheesecake, chocolate and coffee macarons and rich dark chocolate mousse.
Dinner, meanwhile, is where head chef Christopher Standhaven’s talent shines. His menu is rooted in Cumbria’s land and sea, blending traditional country house cooking with modern refinement. Sourcing is everything here – from local lamb and fell-bred beef to seafood pulled from Morecambe Bay.
Our starters, a home-cured, torched fillet of Cornish mackerel came alive with the crunch of smoked almonds, the tang of pickled heritage carrots and a silky curry mayonnaise. Crispy potato gnocchi was paired with sweet earthy beetroot, fiery horseradish and candied pumpkin seeds. The cannon of fell-bred lamb, served with rosemary boulangère potatoes, baby spinach and a summer vegetable fricassée was a dish that felt like the essence of the region brought straight to the plate.
The wine list is also carefully curated to match the seasonal menu, and the staff bring the same warmth to dinner service as they do at check-in – they sincerely can’t do enough to help which goes a long way when it comes to the question, will you come back?
The gardens at Borrowdale Gates Hotel are spectacular and you can just imagine Margaret Heathcote wandering the winding paths fringed with flowers leading to the grassy lawns with tables and chairs laid out right in the very heart of nature.
Beyond the hotel, adventures are never far away. Paddleboarding and kayaking on Derwentwater are common, while there are detailed hiking routes on the hotel’s website with plenty to choose from for all abilities. The Keswick Launch is a regular service from nearby Lodore jetty to Keswick and back and it’s a scenic way to see the best of the lakes without actually going in the water!
Big enough to offer award-winning dining, but small enough to feel intimate, you couldn’t be better placed, or better looked after than at Borrowdale Gates Hotel. Owned by the same hotel group as Jesmond Dene House, book your stay here.