Stay at Howtown Hotel in Penrith, featuring antique guestrooms, free breakfast, pet-friendly rooms, and a restaurant. Near Ullswater, Aira Force & Helvellyn.
Guests appreciate the hotel's timeless character, scenic location, and quality dining, balanced with practical notes about the traditional style and booking arrangements.
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Rooms, shared spaces, dining and exterior — grouped so you can skim quickly.
Set in a scenic location near Penrith in the United Kingdom, Howtown Hotel offers a family-run, landmark experience with a distinctive old-world charm. The guestrooms feature antique furnishings complemented by modern touches such as updated showers and shared modern bathrooms. Its tranquil setting, surrounded by lakes and hills, provides a peaceful retreat for those interested in exploring the Lake District.
The hotel includes a restaurant and bar where guests can enjoy carefully prepared meals and a variety of drinks, reflecting traditional style rather than modern trends. Several reviews highlight the quality of the food and the welcoming atmosphere of the residents’ bar. Facilities include free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, free parking, and pet- and kid-friendly options, while fitness and pool amenities are not available.
Howtown Hotel serves well as a base for visiting nearby natural attractions such as Ullswater, Aira Force waterfall, and Helvellyn mountain, all popular among walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. Guests appreciate the hotel's proximity to these sites, with many commenting on the ease of returning to a comfortable and characterful environment after outdoor activities.
The hotel receives generally positive feedback for its hospitality and historic ambiance, though some note that the style and offerings reflect a more traditional taste that may not suit all preferences. Booking the entire hotel for a weekend stay is an option, attracting groups looking for a unique and tranquil getaway in a historic setting.
The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.
Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.
Absolutely fabulous night away here in this old world charm setting in the heart of the Lake District. Delicious four course meal and great company with friends and meeting the other guests. Hospitality second to none. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff. Highly recommended and would love to return.
The hotel is only available if you book the whole place for thw weekend. And it's well worth it. Lovely place, the right bits have been modernised - the showers - and everything else has been left as it was, with some lovely antiques. Food is fantastic. Really good. The rresidets bar is huge fun. Overall, highly recommended
We had the best of times a couple days at this very friendly, well kept old style hotel. An excellent place to have as base for exploration of this part of the Lake District. To come home to Howtown Hotel after a day of trekking the hills is really something. Will be back.
50 years since I drank here & still impressive! Doesn't seem to have changed much but all the old world character is still there. Nice beer, friendly staff & so tranquil & quite. Really enjoyed wandering around the ground floor very remenisent & full of bygones, like a step back to Victorian times.
Popped into the hotel to ask about a lunch menu. They said that there was a small restaurant at the side of the hotel. The interior of the hotel is very nice. Not sure on prices as I did not stay here. A short 10 minute walk from the boat drop off point.
Aye it is old fashioned but that is the charm of it. The rooms are plush and the shared bathroom is very modern. The various lounges are lovely for spending time in, especially when the weather is not great. Lots of nice touches like a morning cup of tea bought right to your bedside. The food is also rather old fashioned, but done well! It is rather expensive, but I did enjoy my stay.
Didn't stay here, stopped through before our walk. Tea room was lovely and we managed to be there on a day with clear skies and sunshine! We took our cream tea to the little garden and sat with a wonderful view of the hills and scenery. Beautiful hotel, quiet and peaceful. We even returned when we walked from Pooley Bridge to Howtown, and although it was raining, we still enjoyed a lovely cappuccino inside. Highly recommended.
Situated down a country lane, next to a beautiful lake and surrounded by inspiring hills, the hotel offers real tranquility. Decorated and furnished in ways tastefully evoking the Georgian and Victorian eras, there is nothing old-fashioned about the service. It is of the highest standard, and of a character that is quite rare to find these days. The four-course dinner and the breakfast offered several choices with carefully selected local ingredients prepared to a standard that many establishments aspire to but seldom achieve. I am so glad to have an opportunity to revisit soon.
Based on sightseeing, recreation, and getting around
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