What a beautiful location for a romantic weekend away! Nestled right on the lake, this converted manor home has views and grounds to die for. There's the main, historic hotel with incredible woodwork, fireplaces and oil paintings that take you straight back 200 hundred years (or, at least what I would have imagined two hundred years ago) and the newly built "Lake House" (where we stayed) that houses 8 rooms, all with balconies or terraces and incredible lake views. It's situated between the crowded Windermere and quaint(er) Ambleside (my preference, although not directly on the Lake), and an easy drive to all the surrounding lake towns, making for easy exploration. It's a bit of a blue rinse crowd, perhaps due to the price (although they are having a great "May Madness" special with half-priced rooms). We preferred the intimacy of the Lake House, which made it feel like we had our own private villa. Be sure to ask for one of the corner rooms on the 1st floor, as these are the only ones with private balconies that you can sit out on-- the two rooms in the middle of the first floor only have metal "Juliet balconies" that you can just barely stand on, and the ground floor rooms' patios are shared (although blocked off so they are semi private). We skipped dinner at the hotel as it was expensive, and in the same room that the included breakfast is served (plus, you miss out on the incredible views because it's dark)-- and there are many more appealing options both in Windermere and Ambleside (not to mention up the road in Troutbeck-- go to the Queen's Head! You won't be disappointed!) Definitely a place we will return to! read more