Helena Lang spends a two-night break at this family-owned gem set in the beautiful rural landscapes above Lake Windermere and indulges her senses in one of their luxury spa suites.

Where is it?

Tucked away on a 21-acre estate on a winding lane – Crook Road, no less – near the beautiful Lake District town of Bowness on Windermere.

What’s the accommodation like?

There are 30 rooms here in what was a small country house hotel and that has now expanded to include spa lodges, and the ultimate in private luxury spa suites. The rooms in the main hotel are decorated in classic country chic, however the lodges and suites have a more contemporary vibe with our suite including a neat kitchenette area, sumptuous sofa, a state-of-the-art shower room and freestanding bath as well as our own steam room, sauna, Japanese massage chair and infra-red bed.

What did you eat and drink?

The two restaurants at the hotel mean that you don’t need to dine out. One night you should treat yourselves to dinner in the one-Michelin-star experience in Source, overseen by executive chef Ollie Bridgwater. There are two tasting menus: 'Origin', which is three courses plus canapés and petit fours, and the 'Culinary Journey', which features an additional three courses. Alternatively, Gilpin Spice is a more casual, vibrant dining experience with an Asian-inspired menu including Japanese sushi and rich Thai curries. My choice of sweet West Coast crab came with the delicate flavourings of coriander, kaffir lime and lotus root. The comfortable lounge with squidgy sofas was a great place for an after-dinner digestif, and the cocktail bar serves the familiar as well as the more exciting house cocktails – my apple and blackberry martini kicked off our first evening very well.

What is there to do?

Each of the spa suites and spa lodges comes equipped with an outdoor hot tub if you want to wallow outside whatever the weather or soothe aching limbs after a walk down to Bowness on Windermere. Otherwise, the hotel’s small spa provides hot tub and sauna facilities that can be booked for privacy, and beautiful treatment rooms where we enjoyed tenderly delivered full-body massages before going back to our suite for an afternoon snooze.

Lasting memory

Sitting on our sunshine-flooded decking area tucking into a bento box lunch packed with delights from the Gilpin Spice team.

Sainsbury’s magazine insider tip

Do take the beautiful hike down to Bowness on Windermere to explore the pubs, bars, cafes and boutiques before walking around the edge of the lake, perhaps taking a little boat out to explore further. This whiled away the morning before we took a taxi back – there is a rank near the lake – to Gilpin Hotel.