England's Lake District is known for beautiful mountains and lakes, for walks, and characters like William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. But it has great spas too.

Cumbria's gorgeous Lake District, and the Lake District National Park, is one of the most beautiful areas of England. It's renowned as one of the best places to go for walking and other outdoor pursuits, and for wandering lonely as a cloud, like poet William Wordsworth. It also recently received a boost from the Beatrix Potter movie starring Renee Zellweger. (Read about that by clicking here.)

Cumbria's great outdoors tends to overshadow its great indoors, however, and it has some top hotels, fine dining with Michelin-starred restaurants, and the finest spas too. Cumbria Tourism recently highlighted some of the best spas in the Lake District, and here is their list of recommendations:

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Oxley's at Ambleside in the Salutation Hotel, Ambleside

In the heart of the Southern Lakes is this luxury health and beauty spa with six beauty suites, a dedicated manicure and pedicure suite and a relaxation lounge. Their therapists have a preference for products based on the healing principles of the Australian Aborigines.

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Lakeside Hotel, Newby Bridge

At the southern end of Lake Windermere, England's largest natural lake, the Lakeside Hotel has spa facilities for men and women including body exfoliation, scalp revival and hot rock and cold marble treatments. They also have all-inclusive two-day 'Purely Retreat' packages.

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North Lakes Hotel and Spa, Penrith

Hydrotherm, electrolysis and hot stone therapy are among the treatments on offer at the gateway to the Northern Lakes. Two-night midweek packages are available which include four full-length treatments, unlimited use of the spa and full board.

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Lodore Falls Hotel, Derwentwater

Named after the nearby waterfall that was painted by John Constable, you'll have to tear yourself away from the stunning outdoors to enjoy the health and beauty salon. The hotel's unique waterfall treatments start at the waterfall, so give guests the best of both worlds.

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Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel, Lake Windermere

The Holbeck Ghyll has fabulous views over Windermere, not to mention one of the Lakes District's Michelin-Star restaurants. It's also where Renee Zellweger stayed while making the Beatrix Potter movie. Did she take the full body massage, and the Tea Tree and holistic treatments?

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High Head Spa and Sauna, Ivegill, near Carlisle

If you're into art as well as pampering, the nearby Sculpture Valley is an astonishing collection of outdoor sculptures by some of the world's leading artists. Inside the spa there are such treatments as Indian head massage, Swedish massage, Reiki and hot stones massage.

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Low Wood Hotel, Lake Windermere

With a relaxing view over Lake Windermere towards the Langdale mountains beyond, the Low Wood Hotel has a beauty spa, Roman baths, two beauty salons, steam room, Jacuzzi, sun shower and a heated swimming pool.

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Armathwaite Hall Hotel, Bassenthwaite Lake

This luxury 4-star country house hotel stands at the northern top of Bassenthwaite Lake and despite its old world charm it has the latest in spa techniques, including a beauty salon with personally-tailored treatments, a sauna, steam room, spa, spa pool and heated swimming pool.

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Aqua Sana Spa, Center Parcs, Oasis Whinfell Forest

In the peaceful setting of the Whinfell Forest, this Center Parcs property has some of the best spa treatments in the area. These include Belgian chocolate body wraps, a Tyrolean Sauna, Cleopatra bathing ritual treatment, anti-ageing pro collagen marine facelifts and detoxifying volcanic mud treatments.

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For more information on all aspects of visiting Cumbria click here.

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