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Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa, the Lake District

Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa

The Lake District, The UK

Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa

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Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa is a haven of relaxation on the shores of Lake Windermere, situated in the heart of the lively town of Bowness-on-Windermere. 

The hotel’s on-site leisure club and spa includes a heated indoor pool, and the services of expert therapists. For dining, the hotel offers a formal restaurant with a seasonally rotating menu. The more relaxed Terrace Lounge & Cocktail Bar serves lighter fare, as well as afternoon tea. The lawn and terrace directly in front of the hotel look across unimpeded views of the lake, and you can dine here in summer.

OUR OPINION:

Although parts of its exterior aren’t particularly attractive, we believe the hotel offers excellent value in a central location, with fantastic views across Lake Windermere.

OUR RATING: First Class

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Photos of Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa

  • Macdonald Old England, Bowness-on-Windermere
    Macdonald Old England, Bowness-on-Windermere
  • Macdonald Old England, Bowness-on-Windermere
    Macdonald Old England, Bowness-on-Windermere
  • Macdonald Old England, Bowness-on-Windermere
    Macdonald Old England, Bowness-on-Windermere
  • Macdonald Old England, Bowness-on-Windermere
    Macdonald Old England, Bowness-on-Windermere
  • Macdonald Old England, Bowness-on-Windermere
    Macdonald Old England, Bowness-on-Windermere

Rooms

The rooms are decorated in natural tones to feel warm and elegant, with soft linen bedding. Each room provides toiletries and a bathrobe and slippers. In the suites, you’re also provided with fruit, wine and chocolates. Some rooms also feature a four-poster bed and all rooms have en suite bathrooms, TVs, tea and coffee making facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Location

Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa is located on the shores of Lake Windermere. Nearby attractions include the World of Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth’s former home Dove Cottage, and Leighton Moss, a nature reserve run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which is home to around 40 different bird species.

Food and drink

The hotel’s restaurant is known to locals as the ‘restaurant on the lake’, so named for its spectacular views of Lake Windermere. The chefs use only the freshest in-season ingredients. For a slightly less formal dining experience, the Terrace Lounge & Cocktail Bar offers lighter fare — a good option for lunch and afternoon tea.

Facilities and activities

The hotel’s leisure club and spa offers a range of options to relax during your stay. Treatments include deep tissue massages, ocean wraps, coconut rubs and reflexology. You also have use of the heated indoor pool and the state-of-the-art gym.

Tour ideas in The Lake District

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

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    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.

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    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you’re staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident’s eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area’s inhabitants.

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    The Lake District and nearby places