preloadAn over the shoulder view of two women who are good friends enjoying a dip in the hot tub whilst on a staycation to Newton by the Sea in the North East of England. They are laughing and recalling stories as they relax.

With heather-strewn hills and glassy lakes, the Lake District in Cumbria is one of the UK’s most picturesque regions.  Whether you’re the active type, who feels at home hiking mountains, or a mindful soul who loves taking in the views, a cosy hot tub is always enticing. Here’s a look at some of the best Lake District cottages with hot tubs.

Top Lake District Cottages with hot tubs

Whether you prefer quiet woodlands or rolling mountain views, these are some of the best cottages in the Lake District.

Yew – Woodland Cottages

Mid adult woman relaxing in a hot tub with her friends.
Autumnal trees in full colour on a meadow next to a lake.

Less than a five-minute drive from the quaint stone cafes and busy bistros of Bowness-on-Windermere, Yew – Woodland Cottages is a great spot if you’re looking to be close to a vibrant Lake District village. But as its name suggests, the beauty of kicking back in a hot tub at this cottage is the calming serenity that the nearby fir, birch and pine trees give, especially when they’ve turned a rust-orange hue in the autumn or been given a dusting of snow in winter. Just a 10-minute stroll from the cinematic shores of Lake Windermere, the Yew Woodland Cottages offer the best of several worlds. 

Skelwith Fold Cottage No.1

A person holds a wine glass while others rest on a table.
Window on the brick wall with fall color leaves. Traditional English residential house with orange plants around. Toned Autumn seasonal background.

With the mist-strewn fells surrounding Ambleside in the distance, the views from Skelwith Fold Cottage No.1 look as if they were chosen by the English romantic poet himself. There are few more relaxing Lake District experiences than unwinding in this cottage’s hot tub. The property itself is a gorgeous old stone cottage that sleeps six, is dog-friendly and has a games room for competitive types – making it the perfect spot for a group gathering with all the pets invited! But the pièce de résistance is the mountain view, making this one of the most alluring Lake District cottages with a hot tub. 

Green Stile Cottage

Open book, glasses and plaid on armchair near fireplace at home, space for text. Cozy atmosphere
A mature, happy couple is lying at a hotel bed next to each other. They both are smiling and seem to be in love. In the background, the dark and green interior of the room can be seen.

Just a short walk from Lake Windermere in the hamlet of Storrs, the Green Stile Cottage is wonderfully secluded and boasts one of the region’s most unique hot tub experiences. Covered by a handsome four-poster wooden gazebo, a soak in this hot tub can be enjoyed even when the heavens open. Inside it boasts beautiful period features like original 17th-century oak beams and a wood-burning stove, but the best is saved for the garden outdoors. So grab a drink, unwind in the warm water and enjoy woodland views from a hot tub like no other.

Bleng Barn Cottage

A blonde-haired woman sitting on the bed with a cup of coffee.
A rocky path in the valley of the lush sloppy mountains.

Just moments from Bleng Barn Cottage’s warming hot tub, the cascading tumble of a nearby stream soundtracks the easygoing life here. This western corner of the Lake District is closer to the Irish Sea than Lake Windermere and is a perfect base for tackling some splendid nature trails, including one to Scafell Pike – England’s tallest mountain. Inside, the open-plan cottage is perfect for families who need space, while outside the undulating fields offer lovely pastoral vistas from the comfort of the hot tub.

“Make sure to have sturdy waterproof boots when walking in the Lake District. It sounds obvious, but this is one of the UK’s wettest regions and I’ve been caught out before, returning home with soaked feet!”

Things to consider when booking a cottage with a hot tub

Before spending money on booking a beautiful cottage, here are a few things to consider:

Location and accessibility

The Lake District is a stunning area, but it’s also highly rural. Check where your cottage is before booking – how easy it is to reach by car, what the roads are like and whether the views are as good as you hoped.

Also, accessibility is important for those with physical disabilities. Some properties may be older and not yet fitted with the correct features. Are there ramps and wide doorways for wheelchair users, for example?

“When I’m booking a cottage, I always like to have a nice village or town around a 10-minute drive away or less, for a good balance between serenity and vibrancy.”

Amenities

Do your research and check that there are the standard amenities you’d usually expect, such as Wi-Fi, linens and a terrace. You might also like a fireplace during the colder months or perhaps somewhere more pet-friendly if have a four-legged friend.

Attractions near the Lake District

Happy couple strolls through the woodland holding hands while carrying camping bags.
A line of orange rowing boats parked on a beach next to a pier with anchored sailboats.
Sunlight on a small mountain lake surrounded by autumn trees.

This glorious corner of England is all about outdoor activities. Some of the UK’s finest trails snake through the region’s dramatic fells and soaring mountains, especially those near Keswick.

And for unique views on the water, boat cruises and kayak paddles are available on Lake Windermere, which unfurls for 11 spectacular miles. Beyond the Lake District, the jaunty nightlife of Blackpool is less than 50 miles away.

How to search for cottages with hot tubs on KAYAK

A warm hot tub in a beautiful forest landscape at sunset. You can relax outdoors in nature while enjoying the warmth of the hot tub.

Navigate to KAYAK Stays, enter your desired travel dates and hit ‘Search’. Once KAYAK has brought up the range of properties available, look at the ‘Amenities’ dropdown on the left-hand side and tick the ‘Hot Tub’ checkbox.

Then scroll down to the ‘Type of Stay’ dropdown and select ‘Cottages’, while unticking the other options. This will bring up all available Lake District cottages with hot tubs.

Rustic romantic cottages like these – and especially those with hot tubs – are some of the UK’s most unique retreats, and the Lake District is a majestic place to experience this form of getaway. And if you’re looking for similar trips to unwind in style, then check out the UK’s best glamping holidays or relaxing spa breaks

Frequent questions about hot tub holidays

With country pubs lighting their fires and forests exploding into a kaleidoscope of colours, autumn is the best time of year to book a Lake District cottage. Oh, and there are fewer crowds too. The air will be crisper but that won’t matter in the hot tub.

Yes, but there are some basic precautions to take regarding hot tubs and children. Children under five – babies and toddlers – are too heat-sensitive and shouldn’t be allowed in your hot tub. And for children over five, lower the heat and see that they don’t stay in for too long. Always supervise under-18s who are in and around the hot tub too.

You can’t assume that all hot tubs in cottages will be accessible. Check ahead that the hot tub is on the deck with a level route to it. Also, steps, handrails and hoists are useful additions to hot tubs for people with disabilities. 

About the author

James MarchAfter spending years in soul-sapping office jobs, James finally took the plunge into full-time travel writing in 2020 and hasn’t looked back since. For UK-based James, nothing beats the thrill and chaos of arriving in a new city for the first time, and he tries to put that feeling into his writing and - hopefully - inspire others to travel too.

Explore more articles