This Victorian country house with log fires is in the Michelin guide for its local, organic food. With a Visit Britain gold award, it offers free leisure passes and free Wi-Fi.
Surrounded by wooded countryside, Knoll Country House offers individually designed rooms with TVs, iPod docks and modem points. All rooms have modern en suite facilities, some with power showers or luxury corner baths.
The on-site restaurant serves traditional Lakeland breakfasts and a full evening menu, using fresh local produce. In landscaped gardens, Knoll House boasts a central location for exploring the Lake District. Packed lunches and afternoon teas can also be arranged.
Guests can also enjoy complimentary use of the spa facilities at the nearby Swan Hotel's leisure club, which includes a gymnasium, swimming pool, steam room, sauna and spa bath, as well as a variety of beauty treatments.
Just a short stroll from the shores of Lake Windermere, Knoll House Hotel is 5 minutes' walk from Lakeside Pier. The popular villages of Ambleside, Windermere and Hawkshead are within 20 minutes' drive.
Hotel Information
You can also make the most of the free use of leisure facilities at Cascades, the nearby White Water Hotel's leisure club which means you have free use of the gymnasium, swimming pool, steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. Cascades also offers various beauty treatments.
Surrounding Area
There are many things to do in Cumbria: you can visit the gallery in Grizedale Forest and explore the forest sculpture trail, or take in a show at the Theatre in the Forest. In the village of Lakeside, just 5 minutes' walk from the front door, is the Lakeside Pier where steamers offer cruises on Lake Windermere. Next to this is the Haverthwaite to Lakeside steam railway, giving the chance for you to experience the nostalgic charm of this exciting but graceful form of transport. In Lakeside is the Aquarium of the lakes, where you can see the UK?s largest collection of freshwater fish, and experience cascading waterfalls, the riverbank at night, an underwater tunnel, and walk along a recreated lake bed.
For those wishing to take advantage of the glorious landscape, a well-marked footpath behind the Knoll leads you to rolling green farmland and the village of Finsthwaite. This charming village with its well-preserved traditional buildings is slightly off the main tourist trail and so offers a glimpse of the real Lakeland. For those wishing to explore some Lakeland villages, Windermere, Ambleside and Hawkshead are just half an hour?s drive away or less. The Lake District has many literary connections too, with related sites to visit. Wordsworth is a Lakeland character, as is the children's writer Beatrix Potter.
Transport
By Car (from London and the South):
- Take the M1 or M40 to Birmingham and the M6.
- Leave the M6 motorway at junction 36 and follow the A591 to its 1st turn off leading to the A590.
- Keep on the A590 until Newby Bridge.
- As you pass through Newby Bridge there is a roundabout, go straight on at the roundabout and take the 1st right to Hawkshead.
- Follow this road until you reach Lakeside about one mile and then drive through Lakeside passing the Lakeside Hotel on your right and a group of houses on you left.
- The hotel is about 200 meters further on from the last group of houses, on the left-hand side.
Restaurants
Food is a key feature at the Knoll, with a 3-course dinner available at a reasonable price. Staff are passionate about using quality, local produce and creating imaginative and flavoursome dishes. This has been recognised with an AA breakfast and dinner award and a recent inclusion in the Michelin Guide. A superb dinner service is offered at the Knoll, with a wide range of meals catering for vegetarians and special diets.
