The Samling Hotel Windermere

The Samling sits cradled in a bowl of Lakeland fellside, looking out over panoramic lake views, south along Windermere and west towards the Coniston Old Man mountain range.

Here guests enjoy exceptional hospitality and comfort, with award winning fine dining – enhanced by one of the world’s best wine lists – and delivered with attentive but unobtrusive service.

The Samling is the ideal base from which to explore the most spectacular part of England from the comfort of one of the finest hotels in the Lake District.

Follow the paths and bridges through our cascading ornamental water gardens, take in the views from our Georgian arbour or explore the wildflower meadows and winding woodland trails.

Here in the heart of the Lake District we find the balance of nature’s beauty with world class service, and look forward to welcoming you to experience both at The Samling.

The interiors of The Samling reflect the lakeside location, with soothing dove greys, blues and greens of nature. Hypnos mattresses and deep filled pillows ensure you will enjoy a good night’s sleep, waking refreshed and ready to explore our hospitality,

The Samling has 12 bedrooms, suites and cottages, each named after a Lake District location and individually designed.

We can offer you bespoke personal experiences of life here at The Samling. Our exceptional award winning Wine Cellar, and meticulously curated bar selection are well worth exploring in depth.

THE SUITES
Four luxurious suites set around the grounds, a short distance from the main house. Each has its own individual style, often making the choice between them all the more difficult.

Windermere
Advantageously perched at the top of the estate, this large cottage is spread over two floors and has its own private patio overlooking the lake. Entering via a large sitting room, a generous bay window with french doors leading to the patio provides an angled view south along the lake.

A natural slate wall harmonises with the soft greeny blues of the furnishings. The bathroom leads off this level, featuring an elegant copper-clad freestanding bath, a double vanity unit, and a large walk-in shower.

Wrought iron balustrading leads to the bedroom and defines the first floor – leaving it feeling spacious and airy, open to the double height space.

Elter Water
A split-level barn style suite; the bathroom is on the ground floor, clad in Carrara marble with a large bath and separate walk-in shower.

A few steps up is the sitting room, enjoying expansive lake views south over Windermere, and soothingly decorated in soft stone neutrals with accents of dove pink. The top level, tucked under the eaves, houses the bedroom with its super-king sized bed.

Blea Tarn
Blea Tarn is a cottage located close to the main house with stunning views of Lake Windermere and Samling gardens. The sitting room has large windows and is decorated in lavender blues, inspired by the view of the lake. A private patio enhances the unique feeling of this cottage.

The inspiration of the lake continues into the bedroom which is furnished in slate blue. A very popular room, it benefits from an emperor size bed and doors to the private patio. The sense of space continues into the large Carrara marble bathroom with its stunning roll top cast iron bath.

The bathroom also enjoys a spacious walk in shower and double vanity unit. Blea Tarn can be booked as a suite or as an interconnecting room with the Suite/ Classic Double Buttermere.

Loweswater
Has the cosy feel of a traditional lakes cottage; set over two floors with the sitting room on the ground floor enjoying dual aspect views from the garden and woodland behind us to south over the lake.

The bedroom and ensuite bathroom are upstairs, with a super king size bed well placed to enjoy the views out of the long low window. Watery tones of silver and sage greens enhance the feeling of serenity, whilst the Crema Marfil marble clad bathroom provides luxurious bathing.

THE ROOMS
Three large L-shaped bedrooms located on the first floor of the main house, each offering its own stunning views out over Lake Windermere and the front gardens, each being decorated with its own style.

All three rooms have beautiful bathrooms with baths and sinks set into Carrara marble surrounds with separate walk-in showers.

Thirlmere
Thirlmere also benefits from panoramic lake views over Windermere, with the advantage of a second window looking west over the lake towards the Coniston mountains – providing a beguiling backdrop for this beautiful room.

The bedroom is situated at the front of the house and boasts an emperor size bed, decorated in calming silvers, mauves and lilacs – the gentle twilight colours of sunset. With a deep corner sofa to sink into, and a modern free standing bath and spacious shower, Thirlmere is a stylish choice for guests at The Samling.

Buttermere
Buttermere occupies a prime position at the front of the hotel, with a huge lake facing window framing the dramatic view over Windermere.

Soothing tones of woodland green and a super-king size bed create a warm and welcoming atmosphere The marble clad bathroom offers a large walk in shower, and the bed can be divided into two singles to make a comfortable twin room.

Buttermere can be booked individually or as an interconnecting 2 bedroom Suite with Blea Tarn.

DINING
From a classic background, he has created a modern menu through his intense development process, inspired purely by the basic ingredients –highly refined simplicity will highlight the flavours of each dish, which will evolve seasonally.

It is a menu inspired by our location, created to match the striking lakeland panorama which is the backdrop to our restaurant. Relax, and immerse yourself in the whole experience.

Our aim is to produce delicious dining that will excite and delight, enhanced by an award-winning wine list, and a creatively edited cocktail list – all against a spectacular World Heritage lake and mountain view.

THE CHEF’S TABLE
The Chef’s Table at The Samling is an immersive experience like no other, presenting an intimate and unique setting for up to six people to sample the restaurant’s award winning cuisine.

Positioned directly opposite the kitchen, the Chef’s Table allows you to become part of the kitchen experience as you enjoy a superb award-winning meal in the comfort and luxury of your own table.

With a beautifully crafted menu, specially designed for the table and paired with the extensive wine list The Samling prides itself on, your meal will be directly served by the head chef and expert kitchen brigade.

After the meal you’ll be given a full behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchen, offering a fascinating insight into the heart of our restaurant.

WINE LIST
The AA agree with them, adding their Notable Wine List Award for 2019 – however our ambitions don’t stop there. We are constantly working on the collection, sourcing the very best for your enjoyment.

We also hold the courage of our convictions regarding English wines, carrying the full collection of Nyetimber wines, the most expensive sparkling wines available but from makers that hold themselves to the very highest self-imposed standards.

The Samling Wine Cellar is the only one in the northwest of England to do so. We stock the other end of the price spectrum too, most are internationally award winning wines, often, tellingly, judged in blind tastings.

Our Sommeliers keep an ear to the ground for exciting new makers here and overseas. There is a lot of thought and work that goes into stocking our cellar. Our Wine List explores a very diverse world, we invite you to enjoy it with us.

We have the Coravin wine system which enables the sampling of some exceptional wines without the commitment to an entire bottle.

THE REVERIE BAR
Our thoughtfully stocked hotel bar is a moody blue retreat – named after a poem by Wordsworth fondly remembering a day’s romantic dalliance with a young lady in the Samling grounds.

The Reverie offers lively alternatives to our Wine List for connoisseurs of cocktails to be enjoyed in the bar, or under the stars on the terrace, with a view across Lake Windermere and the Coniston Mountain range.

This is one cocktail bar in the Lake District that places quality over quantity, a carefully curated collection contains a list of international bests, identifying the most favoured national spirits and liquors then sourcing the most discerning makers before we even begin the process of buying and importing to the UK.

We’re tracking down the rarest and most elusive editions of the best spirits in the world – the newest additions are a 20 year old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon, and Decanter no:0319 of the Hennessey Paradis Imperial blended Cognac.

Sometimes pure and simple is the best way to enjoy the great names and brands, but the choice is yours. Our signature cocktail is The 22.5 …a heady mix of Christian Faure Grand Armagnac 1935, Chateau d’Yquem 2004,

The Samling’s own wildflower honey, Darjeeling and Chamomile, and Sir Winston Churchill Pol Roger Champagne. Garnished with 22.5 carat gold flakes and served in a Cumbria Crystal Champagne Flute, (yours to keep).

THE GATHERING
Enjoy al fresco dining with a view across Lake Windermere. Fresh, seasonal ingredients – plus The Samling’s renowned wine list – have been bought together to be enjoyed outdoors, with friends and family.

Guests can relax at our newly launched dining area The Gathering, outside our Dutch Barn, overlooking the sweeping gardens as they head down to the gentle waters of Lake Windermere.

For a relaxed, laid back lunch at one of the finest places to eat in the Lake District, our menu features delicious sharing platters, scrumptious salads, homemade pizzas,and hearty delicious dishes and the warm hospitality for which The Samling is so well known.

Wine is at the heart of The Samling, and the flavours of spring will ring out in a specially chosen summer selection that kicks off with Champagne by the glass and bottle, brings whites from the Kentish hills to the vineyards of Spain and chosen summery reds from France.

KITCHEN GARDENS
Cradled in the bowl of our fellside the kitchen gardens sit just below the ornamental gardens, supplemented by the woodland and Lake District fellside that provide ample food for the honeybees, and the extra bonus of wild garlic in Spring plus blackberries and hazelnuts in Autumn.

Old orchards line the drive and shelter the beehives, but our newer orchard planted with local strains of apple, damsons and walnuts provides most of the kitchen needs. The wildlife is as enthusiastic about reaping the harvests as we are – in suitably Beatrix Potter tradition.

We make a special concession for any Red Squirrels who want first call on the hazelnuts and walnuts. The greenhouse is a safe haven for more tender varieties of veg and micro greens, including cucumelons, cucumbers and melons.

Sun warm tomatoes straight off the vine are one of the most delicious late summer treats imaginable! The vegetable beds are packed with leeks, salad leaves, beetroot, herbs, and edible flowers – all used daily in our kitchens above the banks of Lake Windermere.

Every day the chefs make an edited pick out of the garden to make the amuse bouche for your meal. The wildlife is as enthusiastic about reaping the harvests as we are – in suitably Beatrix Potter tradition. We make a special concession for any Red Squirrels who want first call on the hazelnuts and walnuts.

The greenhouse is a safe haven for more tender varieties of veg and micro greens, including cucumelons, cucumbers and melons. Sun warm tomatoes straight off the vine are one of the most delicious late summer treats imaginable!

The vegetable beds are packed with leeks, salad leaves, beetroot, herbs, and edible flowers – all used daily in the kitchens. Every day the chefs make an edited pick out of the garden to make the amuse bouche for your meal.

ORNAMENTAL GARDENS
Thoughtfully carved out of existing, beautifully worn and water-riven bedrock, our beautiful cascading ornamental water gardens run under and around the hotel before dropping down towards the lake. To one side sits a listed Georgian arbour with long lake views over Windermere, here at the heart of the Lake District.

Woven about with paths and bridges these pools are terraced into the slope and provide a haven for wildlife that visit from our woods – intent on getting into the kitchen gardens that border two sides, with picturesque Beatrix Potter style disregard for gardeners and chefs.

The perennial herbaceous borders that edge the hotel and bar terrace have been thoughtfully planted for the benefit of pollinaters, and have proved joyfully successful in their first year of flowering, literally humming with bees, butterflies and exotic looking moths.

To the West, a cascading stream slices towards the lake – inspiring Wordsworth to write an ode to the sweet quality of its drinking water rising from natural springs on the higher slopes of Wansfell behind us.

This is a be-jungled riot of giant gunnera, bamboo, ferns and palm as well as wildflowers that match the giant proportions of their neighbours, picturesquely facing west over the lake looking at the Coniston Old Man mountain range. To one side sits a listed Georgian arbour with long lake views over Windermere.

Woven about with paths and bridges these pools are terraced into the slope and provide a haven for wildlife that visit from our woods – intent on getting into the kitchen gardens that border two sides, with picturesque Beatrix Potter style disregard for gardeners and chefs.

The perennial herbaceous borders that edge the hotel and bar terrace have been thoughtfully planted for the benefit of pollinaters, and have proved joyfully successful in their first year of flowering, literally humming with bees, butterflies and exotic looking moths.

To the West, a cascading stream slices towards the lake – inspiring Wordsworth to write an ode to the sweet quality of its drinking water rising from natural springs on the higher slopes of Wansfell behind us.

This is a be-jungled riot of giant gunnera, bamboo, ferns and palm as well as wildflowers that match the giant proportions of their neighbours, picturesquely facing west over the lake looking at the Coniston Old Man mountain range.

WEDDINGS
For the most special and memorable day, there is no more special place to exchange your vows than The Samling. For celebrations of all sizes, from intimate ceremonies through to larger scale celebrations, The Samling promises an unforgettable Lake District wedding.

Say ‘I do’ to the backdrop of the fells, and celebrate with your loved ones in the beautiful blossom filled gardens before retreating inside to the stunning restaurant, with its floor to ceiling windows revealing the panoramic views across the dappled patchwork hillside.

The Samling is renowned for its exceptional hospitality, fine dining and service – ensuring your celebration will be the most memorable, friendly and relaxed day.

Our dedicated wedding coordinator will be on hand to ensure your wedding dreams become reality, with budgets and styles to suit all. Your wedding day should be the most special and unforgetting day, and there is not a more beautiful backdrop to your celebrations than The Samling.

GLAMPING
Escape to the woodlands and rolling hills of the Lake District for some Windermere glamping with The Samling’s new ‘Wilderness Adventure’. Ideal for those craving some escapism after a challenging year, this 2 or 3 night break brings together the very best of The Samling’s renowned hospitality with a taste of the great outdoors.

Nestled in 67 acres of meadows, ancient woodlands teeming with wildlife, gardens and rolling hills, The Samling has breath-taking views across Lake Windermere, and this spring their new package invites guests to bond with nature with absolute luxury with a taste of Lake District glamping.

At the top of the hillside, cocooned next to the woodlands, The Samling’s ‘Prospector Tents’ offer a chance to sleep under canvas with all the luxuries that The Samling is so well known for.

Wake to birdsong and enjoy a freshly brewed coffee on your heated veranda as you watch the mist rolling off the hillsides and panoramic views across lakes that so inspired Wordsworth.

Breakfast is served by your personal butler and after a full Cumbrian guests can take to the famous hills for hikes through the woods, up to Scafell Pike or a more leisurely amble to Ambleside. Explore the lakes and take to the water, for delightful freedom in the heart of the Lake District.

Your chef and butler will serve delicious meals in your own Restaurant tent or – if the weather allows – al fresco, dining under the stars by lantern light before heading back under canopy, where billowing duvets and cloud like pillows on super king size beds envelop you for a night in the wilderness.

PRIVATE HOT TUB
Looking for a Lake District Hotel with a hot tub? Look no further. Hidden in the woodlands, a short meander from the main building, cocooned neatly into the hillside, you will find our stunning, private hot tub.

Celebrated as one of the ‘best views in the world’ by The Sunday Times, our outdoor hot tub offers totally privacy for guests, inviting them to sink into the bubbling water with a glass of champagne to take in the outstanding views down the hillside, across the meadows and onto Lake Windermere.

Here, naturally screened from the outside world by the flourished gardens, guests can let their cares soak away, and emerge refreshed and revitalised.

Guests are welcome to book the hot tub for one hour slots throughout the day, but we recommend a soak at dusk, as the sun sets across the lake and the distant fells and the moon rises over the water.What are you waiting for? Come and have a dip!

ROMANTIC BREAKS
Find time for each other and escape to the rolling meadows, dappled woodlands and fells of the Lake District which have inspired romantic poets through the ages. Enjoy meandering walks through wild flower filled meadows, explore the gardens and take to the water on Lake Windermere.

Revel in a candlelit dinner prepared by our head chef, or for an intimate and unique experience – enjoy The Chef’s Table for an immersive experience like no other. Afterwards sink into the hot tub, hidden on the hillside, with a glass of champagne, and enjoy the brightest of stargazing.

At The Samling, which inspired the amorous words of William Wordsworth, we ensure total relaxation for the ultimate romantic getaway. Recharge, reconnect and revel in the beauty of nature with the highest level of luxury.

WINE TASTING
Either leave it to our Sommeliers recommendation or explore a region, a vintage from a special year you want to celebrate, or ask for a surprise to challenge any wine ruts you may find yourself in.

We have the Coravin system, to enable sampling of very precious bottles, should you wish to assuage curiosity without the commitment to a full bottle. If you do have a special request please do let us know at the time of booking – please note bespoke tastings are priced individually and accordingly.

We are dedicated to collecting one of the best Wine Cellars not just in The Lake District, Windermere and Cumbria, but in the world. Currently we are one of the top 500 according to The World of Fine Wine who awarded us a 3 Star rating for 2020; and hold an AA Notable Wine List Award for 2019-2020.

Our ambition is to become one of the top 3, and we’re constantly working to add to the selection, sourcing rare and limited vintages as well as new and exciting makers.

Take advantage of our knowledge, dedication, and contacts, to explore the wine world. Wine Tastings are available to resident guests, so why not book a room and visit for a wine tasting weekend!

PRIVATE PARTIES
Intimate, discreetly luxurious, secluded, with the special advantage of expansive lake views. We are the ideal venue to hire for your personal celebrations – whatever your notable occasion may be.

Think of us as your country home away from home – which is what The Samling feels like. The contemporary glass walled restaurant is the only new addition
to the original 18th century house.

Consequently we are happily domestic in scale, enabling us to create an especially personal feel for your party with our undivided attention. We concentrate on the simple things done exceptionally well.

Executive Head Chef Robby Jenks prioritises the clear and deceptive simplicity of flavour for his menus; we have a significant, and award-winning wine cellar, as well as a thoughtfully stocked bar with a deliciously curated cocktail list. You only need add your favourite people!

Menus for the duration of your stay can be devised according to your preferences, and cater for all dietary requirements or allergies. As can your drinks list.
We’re here to help.

CORPORATE RETREAT
We provide exceptional rewards for the people you recognise are at the top of their game, (which by default is yours), and merit rewarding – or those who deserve nurturing. We offer a world of utter indulgence, and experiences to widen your horizons and spark inspiration.

We offer exclusive use of our 12 bedroom hotel, with its elegant sitting rooms, cocktail bar, and spectacular lake view restaurant. Our Bar and Wine Cellar are stocked with worldwide names of exceptional quality – to further enhance our fine-dining. Menus of course will be catered to your requirements.

We have ample free and private parking, and super-fast connectivity. Our restaurant converts to conference space if required, with the lounge spaces and some bedroom suites providing separate and private sitting areas.

We can organise events in house – wine tastings are always popular, and priced according to how adventurous you wish to be with our award winning wine list.

We’re lucky enough to call upon a wealth of highly qualified professional guides and instructors who bring their expertise here – or take you out into the wider Lake District to push your boundaries. Just ask, we’ll find somebody who can provide the experience you possibly never knew you wanted.

Website: www.thesamlinghotel.co.uk

Rooms: 12

Price: from 346 EUR per night