Armathwaite Hall near Bassenthwaite crowned Best Countryside Hotel

On the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake, Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa has long been a favourite retreat for those looking to slow down in the northern Lake District. Its latest honour puts it among the very best places to stay in the countryside.

The hotel has been named Best Countryside Hotel at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026. The hotel announced the win in November 2025, saying it was extremely proud of the recognition.

Condé Nast Johansens is a long-established guide to independent luxury hotels, and its Awards for Excellence are closely watched across the industry. Being singled out in the countryside category is a significant achievement for a Lake District property, and a welcome boost for the wider hospitality scene around Keswick and Bassenthwaite, which depends on visitors who return year after year.

Wellbeing has been central to Armathwaite Hall's appeal for years. Its spa has been recognised in its own right, winning the title of Best Luxury spa in the 2019 Candis Spa Awards.

It has also been described as a multi-award-winning, Five Bubbles spa. Together, those accolades have helped make Armathwaite Hall a popular choice for spa breaks in Cumbria, whether for a birthday treat, a weekend away with friends or a quiet midweek escape.

The setting does much of the work. The hotel describes itself as a country house hotel with lake views, and the combination of historic surroundings, open countryside and Bassenthwaite Lake offers a sense of space that is hard to find in busier parts of the national park.

Story Homes has also featured the hall's story on its website, a nod to its place in the county's hospitality scene.

For guests, the experience is about balance: time in the spa followed by a walk in the grounds, or a day on the fells rounded off with a treatment and a quiet evening.

Spa days, treatments and stays can be booked through the Armathwaite Hall website, which also lists current offers and seasonal packages for those planning a visit.