Langdale: Lake District Hotel

Estate Combines Luxury Hotel With Environmental Responsibility

Apr 7, 2008

17th Century woolen mill becomes a green luxury resort with 3 star hotel, timeshares, and 5 star self-catering units in the heart of England's walking paradise.

The 35 acre Langdale Estate, near the village of Chapel Stile, combines luxury resort and rural history with easy access to many English Lake District walks and other activities. Within easy reach of the towns of Ambleside, Grassmere and Windermere, Langdale provides a quiet setting with all the amenities of a top resort. The bonus is this all comes with a strong environmental ethic.

History of Langdale Estate

In the 17th century the waters of the Great Langdale Beck in England’s Lake District provided the power for a mill to process wool from local sheep. Later the site became the home of Elterwater gunpowder works supplying the local quarries and mines. Remnants of the gunpowder works with interpretive panels are found throughout the site.

It was developed as a holiday resort in the early 1900s. Then, in the 1980s, new owners, utilizing Scandinavian energy efficient designs took the estate to the next level- 3 Star luxury Hotel with timeshare and 5 Star self-catering units. That energy conservation ethic has continued and expanded, helping to protect the fragile Lake District environment.

Lake District Walks and Other Activities

Just outside the estate it is possible to walk Lingmoor Fell or traverse the Langdale Pikes with their spectacular views of Great Langdale Beck. A short drive takes one to Ambleside where a host of other walks at all levels start.

But the Lake District offers more than walks. Biking, water sports such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing or waterskiing can all be arranged by the hotel staff. Horseback riding is another great way to see the beauty of the Lake District.

Langdale Country Club Activities

When the weather in the Lake District turns cold and grey, Langdale offers an fitness studio with exercise machines and free weights, and a dance-exercise studio. Fitness consultants are available to help individualize the workout. For water based activities there is an indoor swimming pool with jacuzzi, steam room and sauna-like sanarium.

Spa and Restaurants

After a day of exercise, indoors or out, pampering should be on the agenda. Langdale offers several spa break packages. which run from 42.00GBP to 162.00GBP. Services include massage, wraps, facials, manicures and pedicures.

The estate’s hotel has two restaurants in the main building, one formal, the other overlooking the pool. There are also two pubs within easy walking distance. One of the pubs, Wainwrights’s is affiliated with Langdale Estate. And the recently reopened hotel bar offers light meals and appetizers.

From the reuse of historic building materials to energy efficient design to day-to-day conservation efforts, this luxury hotel has a reputation for environmental responsibility. Within the Lake District community, the Langdale is active in supporting the Our Man at the Top Upland Path Workers who maintain footpaths to protect the surrounding landscape. Endangered red squirrels also get support from the Langdale, With luck these native squirrels may be seen on the hotel grounds.

The copyright of the article Langdale: Lake District Hotel in England Travel is owned by Dawn M. Smith. Permission to republish Langdale: Lake District Hotel in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.