"Worth the visit for the views alone" (The AA), Dale Head Hall Lakeside Hotel is set on the shores of Thirlmere in the peaceful North Lakes. The hotel, which occupies a country house dating from the 16th century, has views of Helvellyn -- the nation's favourite walking hotspot, according to ITV's "Britain's Favourite Walks".
Keswick is about 10 minutes' drive away. This historic market town with narrow cobbled streets is a good base from which to explore Skiddaw. Armboth Fell and Raven Crag, both good spots for a scenic walk, are around 15 minutes' drive from the hotel.
Ullswater, "great for crowd-free hiking around the village of Howtown and the picturesque valley of Martindale" (Lonely Planet), takes approximately 30 minutes to reach by car, and Buttermere -- "backed by a string of impressive peaks and emerald-green hills" (Lonely Planet) -- is a 40-minute drive away.
Dale Head Hall Lakeside Hotel has "comfortable and inviting public areas", says The AA, including a lounge, a bar and a restaurant. There's also an outdoor terrace overlooking the hotel's gardens, which are set within a red-squirrel nature reserve. Fishing permits for use on Thirlmere are available on request.
Spread between the Elizabethan and Victorian wings of the house, guestrooms overlook the fells and the hotel courtyard. All have free Wi-Fi, tea- and coffee-making facilities and a TV, while some have period details such as oak beams. Superior Lake View Rooms have sitting areas, lake views and 4-poster beds. Self-catering cottages are also available.
Amenities
General
Infant cots / cribs
Bar
Extra beds / roll away beds
Restaurant
No pets allowed
100% smoke-free
No elevator / lift
Services
Laundry / dry cleaning
Room service (limited hours)
Room amenities
Central heating
Coffee / tea-making facilities
Iron and ironing board
Flatscreen TV
Internet
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
Bathroom
Hair-dryer
Luxury toiletries
Bathtub or shower
Parking
Complimentary parking
Accessibility
Accessible parking
Accessible path of travel
Accessible restaurant
Policies
Check-in: Standard Time is 3pm.
Minimum age required to check in: 18.
Checkout: Standard Time is 11am.
Children and additional guests: Extra guest charges will apply as follows: £20 per night for children aged 15 and under. This includes breakfast. Infant's cot/crib are available, free of charge, for children aged 2 and under. Extra beds are not available for older children and adults. Extra beds are on request and must be requested upon booking. Please use the Special Request field to confirm the age of the third guest. Supplements are not included automatically in the total price and will be charged directly by the hotel. See room descriptions and rate policies for information about room occupancy and prices.
Pets: No pets allowed.
Cancellation: Cancellation policy & booking conditions vary by 'rate plan'. These will be displayed on the payment page after you have searched for your dates and selected a rate.
Rates may vary by date, are subject to availability and are not guaranteed until your purchase is complete.
The room rates listed are for double occupancy per room unless otherwise stated and exclude tax recovery charges and service fees.
It is the responsibility of the hotel chain and/or the individual property to ensure the accuracy of the photos displayed. Travelzoo is not responsible for any inaccuracies in the photos.
*Unless otherwise stated, Travelzoo-exclusive extras are valid once per stay (based on two adults sharing). Value is an estimate based on double occupancy. Extras are only included with Member Rates and may not be available on all dates. Extras are non-transferable and have no cash value. Total value may vary depending on time of booking and availability. When included, breakfast may be limited to 2 guests per stay subject to hotel’s discretion. Other restrictions may apply; see our T&Cs for details.
Please note: Some amenities and services may not be available in all rooms or may incur an additional charge. All prices stated have been verified at the time of publication and may vary at the discretion of the hotel.
Enjoyed This
(59 Member Ratings)
Ratings & reviews reflect verified member feedback for Dale Head Hall Hotel over the past 15 months.
The hotel was cosy and warm. Great view of Thirlmere. Comfortable room. Nice breakfast.
Other Comments
Lovely to arrive to really warm rooms on a cold December evening. We'd be disappointed by the bathroom if we were paying full price.
Susan26. Dec 2018Leeds, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Very quiet location
Other Comments
This hotel is 5 miles outside the town of Keswick
Fiona16. Dec 2018Whitehaven, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
The breakfast was lovely
Denise12. Dec 2018Cheadle, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Lovely views nice quiet location. Friendly staff.
Susan10. Dec 2018Sunderland, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Our room, room 13, was very roomy, breakfast choices were very good.
Other Comments
The hotel could do with strong lights outside the entrance area, particularly as it goes dark early in winter.
David08. Dec 2018SouthportSouthport, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Beautiful location and warm and friendly welcome.
Helen04. Dec 2018Peak Forest, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Beautiful setting and excellent breakfast.
Other Comments
Old fashioned country house hotel, had a really good stay.
angela03. Dec 2018Grimsby, United Kingdom
Other Comments
Views were exceptional.
Beautiful location
Staff were very helpful and friendly.
Thoroughly enjoyed the break
T02. Dec 2018Altrincham, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
The feel of staying in a period building that has a great deal of history.
Other Comments
Great location, Thirlemere is 100 yards ish from the hotel.
Will02. Dec 2018Melsonby Richmond, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
The view was really nice. Lovely big rooms, nice and clean.
Other Comments
The hotel was quiet although seem quite full. Some background music in the breakfast room would have been nice.
Elizabeth01. Dec 2018Seaham, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
very relaxing
Richard30. Nov 2018Preston, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Peaceful location and friendly helpful staff
Kevin28. Nov 2018Hexham, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Views
Susan28. Nov 2018Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
The staff were friendly and the breakfast was very good.
Other Comments
When we arrived at the hotel we didn't have a room in the hotel, which is was we thought we had booked (if we had known this we would have paid extra for a lake view).....we ended up in the annex/coach house which was freezing cold, (not what you want when it's 2degrees outside). The room smelt of damp, there was no quilt cover on the bed and no hot water for a shower or bath on the Saturday night. We couldn't even stay in the annex during the day because they switched the heating off which made it extremely cold, don't know why they did this especially with it being winter and this doesn't usually happen in hotel bedrooms, i also don't think its fair that we ended up in the annex when we booked a month before and some friends booked a week before and ended up with a nice warm hotel bedroom.
Julie26. Nov 2018Clitheroe, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Beautiful setting, stunning room, friendly staff
Other Comments
Many thanks for a most enjoyable stay at your lovely hotel
jane26. Nov 2018Ilkley, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
The atmosphere and ambience of the building and surroundings. The views. The service from the friendly staff.
Other Comments
The restaurant and Bar looked really nice but weren't open.
Anne25. Nov 2018Penrith, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Great peaceful location with fantastic views. Very central for exploring the Lake District
John21. Nov 2018Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
The lakeside view is very lovely. Enjoyed it very much.
Other Comments
Thanks for giving us a lakeside view room. The view was lovely. It was actually what I always wanted.
Daniel18. Nov 2018Farnborough, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Location overlooking the lake, peace and tranquillity, breakfasts cooked to order.
Peter18. Nov 2018Lytham St Annes, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
the view from our room was amazing.
Other Comments
breakfast staff very attentive , lovely clean room,
andrea16. Nov 2018Barnsley, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Location and lake view
Other Comments
Hotel is a little tired and feels unloved. Happy with price paid on Travelzoo deal but wouldn't want to pay normal room rate. It has potential to be fabulous with investment but rearranging the furniture and a more enthusiastic welcome would cost nothing
Sarah14. Nov 2018Nottingham, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Beautiful view of lake and attractive gardens.
Other Comments
Our bedroom was warm enough, but the hotel needed better heating in the public rooms. Given its remote location, it would be helpful if they offered food in the evening.
Gail13. Nov 2018St Albans, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
The location was brilliant albeit it rained a lot of the time. Breakfast was very good however the dinner was expensive and NOT value for money.
William09. Nov 2018Thirsk, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Fabulous location, beautiful scenery. Room was nicely furnished. Very quiet and restful.
Other Comments
The one disappointing thing was that the web site said there was a restaurant. On the night we arrived it wasn't open. If we had known this we could have eaten elsewhere. There is a pub 10 minutes walk away but it is along unlit paths and we had no torch. It was pitch black outside so our evening meal consisted of a packet of biscuits!! Very disappointing.
Sheila08. Nov 2018Houghton le Spring, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Location
Other Comments
Pleasant staff, great breakfast and views to die for
Elaine07. Nov 2018Hartlepool, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Family friendly hotel with fantastic views from the rooms. Quantity locally sourced food at breakfast and a friendly service.
Gail07. Nov 2018Glossop, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Location
Karen07. Nov 2018Lincoln, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Very comfortable. Staff very helpful, polite and friendly but very professional. Room service very good and also rooms warm, cosy and clean. We really enjoyed our visit. We will most certainly return.
Other Comments
The views from the hotel were magnificent. We managed to get a seat at Breakfast by the window overlooking Lake Thirlmere. Amazing. Breakfast delicious too.
Susan06. Nov 2018Epping, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Location
David04. Nov 2018Poulton-le-Fylde, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
views from Lakeside views room. Also informality of booking in and how informal the atmosphere was.
very good breakfast prepared to personal taste.
brenda01. Nov 2018North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
good valueg
Kevin01. Nov 2018York, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
The views. Breakfast was good. Parking wasn’t an issue.
Other Comments
The bar was empty. We saw many residents at the pub across the road. There was no real attempt to get residents to stay - say a drinks offer at around 5pm when all were back from walking and before whatever evening meal plans they had. It’s an old building with some quirky features - yet there was no info on display about its history, and no one around to ask most of the time. Apart from breakfast waiters we saw someone on checking in and that’s it for our 2 night stay.
Dean31. Oct 2018Lincoln, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Lovely location. Lake view rooms at extra cost. Good breakfast.
Other Comments
Don't recommend the £40 pp dinner. Very ordinary food at extortionate price.
Go to Kings Head hotel only 200yds away. Take a torch to see your way in the dark.
George31. Oct 2018Northallerton, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
the location and the lovely and friendly atmosphere
Other Comments
very handy for lots of interesting places
Graham30. Oct 2018STALYBRIDGE, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Set in a beautiful position lovely views. Good breakfast, nice and warm plenty of hot water
Other Comments
Found the mattress and pillows a bit soft for our liking. Didn’t Find any trace or didn’t get offered the restaurant menu even though the information did say it was a award winning restaurant!
Bron30. Oct 2018Lancaster, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Everything
JULIE29. Oct 2018WOLVERHAMPTON, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Great base - perfect location
Other Comments
It's a tad dated and I'd describe it as a B&B, not a hotel - no bar or restaurant. Lounge is like an old peoples home. Rooms are adequate and large with comfortable beds - just needs a lot of money spending on it to make it really nice but overall good value for money
Ian29. Oct 2018Rochdale, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
The location is absolutely stunning. Breakfast was first class.
Other Comments
Quite an old hotel which to be fair is part of its charm, rooms could do with an update but our room was very clean which is what you need really. We had a spectacular view of the lake. Provision of a hairdryer would’ve been handy. Also, a choice of evening menu would be good rather than a £40 fine dining option which seemed all that was available. Brilliant stay though, we had thoroughly enjoyed our break.
Kathryn27. Oct 2018Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Welcoming and friendly staff with Great Lake view
Other Comments
Fantastic breakfast and comfy room. View of lake thirlmere superb as was the tranquil location
Mike27. Oct 2018Widnes, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Location and interior decorations
Saleh24. Oct 2018Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Enjoyed Most
Amazing location! 15 minutes drive ether way to Ambleside and Keswick. Can walk up Helvellyn from the hotel. Very quiet location. View was lovely
Other Comments
Definitely worth upgrading to the lake view rooms. For the price we payed, it was great value. Definitely not worth the price listed on the hotels website though. Although our room was big and clean, it felt like the whole hotel needed an injection of cash to make it perfect again. However we went for the location and view, and were not disappointed!