The Grasmere Red Lion Hotel
Ambleside, Cumbria

The Red Lion Hotel in Grasmere is the perfect base for a holiday in the Lake District. Artists and poets have been drawn to this area of the Lake District since Wordsworth's time. Today, visitors can explore the walks and fells of Grasmere, rich in wildlife, flora and fauna or visit local stately homes, museums, parks and gardens or the World of Beatrix Potter. The Red Lion's lounge bar and conservatory (for snacks or tea) are welcoming whilst the Courtyard Restaurant will tickle your taste buds with traditional English cuisine. All 47 bedrooms have recently been refurbished to the highest standard, with warm colour schemes and coordinating soft furnishings. All rooms have en-suite facilities with bath and shower, and many with the added luxury of a jacuzzi bath. Other facilities include television with satellite channels, a welcome refreshment tray, direct dial telephone with modem facility, hairdrier and trouser press. Club Rooms are available on request. The Lilliputs Leisure Centre features a new indoor heated swimming pool alongside a sauna, steam room and fitness room. If you are looking for outdoor exercise, then we can book you into one of two picturesque 18-hole golf courses, each within 10 miles of us. The hotel also has fishing permits for the local association waters, which may be borrowed from reception. Open all year.

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Ambleside, at the heart of the southern Lake District, is beautiful but busy. Its scenic setting, one mile north of Lake Windermere, guarantees its popularity. Grey stone houses, B&B's, hotels, galleries, and shops catering to the tourists abound. A short walk from Ambleside's centre is the location of the 70ft. (21m) waterfall, Stock Ghyll Force, which used to power several mills. The old Corn Mill-there was a mill on the site as early as 1335-now houses shops. Near Ambleside is Rydal Mount, home to William Wordsworth from 1813 until his death in 1850. It is little changed since that time and houses memorabilia of the poet. There are beautiful landscaped gardens and a walk on the property. The view over Rydal Water is said to have inspired Wordsworth's poetry.