Haweswater Hotel Review: Prices, Photos & Lake District Info

Perched on the edge of a wild reservoir in the eastern Lake District, the Haweswater Hotel is a 1937 Art Deco inn that feels like a time capsule wrapped in dramatic fells and silence. Built as part of the Haweswater Dam project, it now offers a quiet-luxury stay for travellers who prefer solitude over tourist crowds. This review draws on guest feedback, editorial visits and the hotel’s own records to help you decide if this secluded retreat fits your next Cumbria escape.

Last checked: 2026-08-19

Property type: Art Deco inn/hotel · Location: Bampton, Eden District, Lake District, Cumbria, England · Key feature: Lake views, wildlife haven, Art Deco interiors · Dining: Bar, lake view terrace, 2 restaurants · Atmosphere: Peaceful, slow mornings, dramatic landscapes · Price indicator: From $255 per night (The Hotel Guru)

Haweswater Hotel Reviews

The overwhelming majority of guest reviews on TripAdvisor praise the hotel’s location. One long‑standing reviewer called it “a haven of peace and tranquillity” at the end of a narrow road with “sweeping fells and a shimmering reservoir” (TripAdvisor). The Art Deco reception area and lounge are singled out as “fabulous” and “breathtaking”.

What guests love about the location

Multiple visitors describe the sense of seclusion: no other buildings in sight, no boat traffic, and a road that feels like it ends at the hotel. The lake views from the terrace and many bedrooms are consistently called “spectacular”.

Common praise and critiques

Positive notes centre on the quality of food, the comfort of the beds, and the restored period details. However, a minority of recent reviews mention maintenance issues, such as mould in bathrooms and inconsistent management. Two reviewers described the beds as “rock hard” and the bathrooms as “tired”. Generalising from multiple reviews, the experience is polarising: those who value authenticity and location tend to rave, while those expecting modern luxury may be disappointed.

Haweswater Hotel History

The Haweswater Hotel was built in 1937 as part of the dam project that flooded the village of Mardale to supply water to Manchester. The hotel replaced the Old Dun Bull Inn, which now lies under the reservoir. Its construction reused stone from submerged farm buildings and Cumberland slate, and the building features thin‑frame Crittall steel windows typical of 1930s modernism (Haweswater Hotel).

The Art Deco heritage

Many original features have been restored: parquet floors, patterned linoleum, dado panelling, a wide oak staircase and tall metal‑framed windows that overlook the lake. The Hotel Guru calls it an “Art Deco‑Modernist masterpiece” (The Hotel Guru). Guest reviews frequently note the sense of “stepping back in time”, with chrome‑framed armchairs, leather sofas and even a 1930s soundtrack in the public areas.

Connection to the Lake District wildlife haven

The hotel sits within a roughly 100‑square‑mile nature reserve that bars boats and development. Stephen O’Sullivan, the current owner, described it as “like an antidote to the modern world” (Hotel Owner). The reservoir itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the surrounding fells are home to red deer, golden eagles and rare alpine plants.

“There is nowhere quite like it in the country. The Haweswater has 100 square miles of nature reserve all to itself… it’s like an antidote to the modern world.”

— Stephen O’Sullivan, owner of Haweswater Hotel (Hotel Owner)

Haweswater Hotel Menu and Restaurants

The hotel operates two restaurants, a bar and a lake view terrace. According to Booking.com, guests can choose between the main restaurant and a more informal brasserie‑style option (Booking.com). The bar serves local ales and a bar menu, while the terrace offers al fresco dining in good weather.

Dining options: bar, terrace, and two restaurants

Editorial reviews from Destination Delicious note that the food is “exceptional” with an emphasis on seasonal Lake District produce. The hotel’s website highlights a menu that changes frequently, reflecting local game, fish and farm ingredients. Breakfast is served in the Art Deco dining room, and afternoon tea is available on the terrace.

“The Haweswater will become a destination for people who appreciate the Lake District as nature intended, but still want luxury and fine dining, after a day’s hiking or mountain‑biking.”

— Stephen O’Sullivan, owner (Hotel Owner)

Haweswater Hotel Prices

The lowest available listed price is from $255 per night, according to The Hotel Guru. Older editorial references (2015) mentioned loft room rates from around £155 per night, suggesting that current pricing has increased with the shift toward luxury positioning. Prices are likely seasonal, with summer and autumn weekends commanding a premium.

Price range per night

Rates are not published in a fixed band on the hotel’s official site; third‑party aggregators such as Booking.com and The Hotel Guru are the most reliable sources for current prices. Based on the data available, the hotel falls into the mid‑to‑upper price tier for rural Lake District accommodation.

Value for money in the Lake District

Given the extreme seclusion and the emphasis on period character, value is subjective. For travellers who prioritise location and atmosphere over modern amenities, the Haweswater Hotel offers something genuinely rare. Those seeking convenience may find the price harder to justify. The bottom line: you pay for solitude and authenticity, not for luxury frills.

Photos of Haweswater Hotel

Visual documentation of the hotel is widely available on TripAdvisor, the hotel’s own website and travel blogs. The imagery consistently shows the hotel’s white‑washed Art Deco facade against the grey‑green fells, with the reservoir stretching to the horizon.

Lake and mountain views

The hotel overlooks Haweswater Reservoir, a long, narrow lake created by the dam. Photographs taken from the terrace or lake‑view rooms capture the water, often still, with steep slopes rising directly opposite. There are no other buildings in sight.

Art Deco interior design

Inside, photos reveal the restored parquet floors, the oak staircase with its curved banister, and the lounge furnished with chrome‑framed chairs and period posters. The overall effect is restrained elegance with a strong 1930s identity. Guest‑submitted photos on TripAdvisor provide the most candid views of bedrooms and bathrooms, showing both the charm and the signs of wear.

Pros and Cons

Location and Getting There

The Haweswater Hotel is located on Lakeside Road, Bampton, CA10 2RP, Cumbria, on the eastern side of the Lake District National Park (Haweswater Hotel). It overlooks Haweswater Reservoir rather than the better‑known tourist lakes like Windermere or Derwentwater, which means guests trade accessibility for solitude.

Driving is the only practical way to reach the hotel. The nearest major road is the M6 (junction 39, about 20 minutes south). From there, a single‑track road winds through the fells directly to the hotel. There is no village within walking distance; Bampton is the closest settlement, but the hotel itself is at the end of the road.

Public transport options are limited. The nearest train station is Penrith (approximately 25 km away), from which a taxi is required. No bus service serves the hotel directly.

Related reading: Best Lake District Hotels ? Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Haweswater Hotel – official about page
• The Hotel Guru – Haweswater Hotel review
• Hotel Owner – acquisition and owner quotes
• TripAdvisor – main listing and aggregated reviews
• TripAdvisor – 5‑star review (location)
• TripAdvisor – critical review (mould, maintenance)
• Sunshine and Celandines – personal stay blog
• Destination Delicious – editorial review with pricing
• Booking.com – Haweswater Hotel listing