Rothay Manor is a black and white Regency house in Ambleside, listed Grade II, and it combines country-house comfort with a small-team warmth that larger hotels cannot match. It is run by Jamie and Jenna Shail, who bought it after 13 years running ski chalets in France, and the style shows in the service. The hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and has won recognition including Cumbria Tourism's Small Hotel of the Year in 2023. The Rowan Restaurant draws on the local landscape and serves locally sourced food, and afternoon tea and Sunday lunch are also on the menu. Dogs are welcome, with eight newer dog-friendly rooms and a dedicated dog washroom, and bedrooms carry walking guides called Rothay Rambles, with five routes the owners have tested themselves. It is a mid-range to upper-mid-range stay, and winter rates are usually the best value of the year.
Location and getting around
Ambleside is the Lake District's most practical walking town, with outdoor shops, cafés and pubs and Waterhead, the head of Windermere, a short walk or bus ride away, where the cruise boats call. Rothay Manor is a gentle walk from the centre, and you can walk straight onto paths to Rydal, Loughrigg and Grasmere.
Buses run to Grasmere for Dove Cottage and Keswick, and the car ferry and Hill Top are reachable by car. If you walk in on a wet day, a drying room is usually welcome, so ask when you book.
The rooms
Rooms range from classic to superior boutique categories, styled in a country-house manner, and the dog-friendly rooms are among the best in the area, with dog beds and the washroom to hose off muddy paws. A quiet room away from the road is worth asking for. Because the building is historic, expect some character quirks in room shape and corridors, and ask about accessibility if you need step-free access, because the hotel publishes an access statement.
Good to know
Breakfast is a highlight, and dinner at the Rowan Restaurant is a good reason to stay in on a cold evening. It suits couples, walkers with dogs and anyone who prefers a personal, owner-led atmosphere to a big hotel. If you want a spa with a pool or a lakefront balcony, choose Lodore Falls or the Old England; if you want a budget lakeside bed, YHA Ambleside is nearby.
Why stay here
- ✓Grade II-listed Regency manor
- ✓Rowan Restaurant with local produce
- ✓Afternoon tea and Sunday lunch
- ✓Dog-friendly rooms and dog washroom
- ✓Rothay Rambles walking guides
- ✓Walk to Ambleside centre
- ✓Owner-run small team
- ✓Small Luxury Hotels of the World member
Good questions
Does Rothay Manor allow dogs?+
Yes. There are eight newer dog-friendly rooms and a dedicated dog washroom, which is handy after muddy fell walks.
Is it a walk from Ambleside town?+
Yes, it is a short walk from the centre, with Waterhead and the cruise boats a little further and paths to Rydal and Grasmere close by.
Is dinner available at the hotel?+
Yes, the Rowan Restaurant serves locally sourced food, and afternoon tea and Sunday lunch are also offered.
