You can find all your favorites in the menu
Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa, the Lake District

Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa

The Lake District, The UK

Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa

Jump to:

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

Speak to someone
who's been there
Audley Travel Specialist Caroline

Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our England specialists

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.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    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.

    View all accommodation in The Lake District

    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.

    • Hardknott Roman Fort, Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway and Muncaster Castle
      Hardknott Roman Fort

      Hardknott Roman Fort, Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway and Muncaster Castle

      Hardknott Roman Fort, Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway and Muncaster Castle

      Your driver-guide can navigate Cumbria’s steep and winding roads while you admire the looming mountains and sweeping sea views. The tour also stops at Muncaster Castle, the Roman-era Hardknott Fort and the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, a Victorian steam train line.

      View details
    • Lake District farm experience
      Lake District farm experience, The Lake District

      Lake District farm experience

      Lake District farm experience

      Experience life on a traditional Lake District fell farm where you'll get a chance to meet the hardy Herdwick sheep, learn about farm practices and local lifestyles and get to try your hand at dry stone walling.

      View details
    • North Lakes explorer
      Buttermere

      North Lakes explorer

      North Lakes explorer

      Your driver-guide will create a tour of the North Lakes area based around your interests. You can take your time exploring the unspoiled lakes, sheep-dotted mountains, and tiny towns at an unhurried pace, with pauses for walks in the countryside or taking photographs.

      View details
    View all activities in England

    The Lake District and nearby places