Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Owls, deer and open fires

Lakeland’s Whitelake Hall seems to need a vintage British roadster on its winding drive amid the endless acres of deer-rich grandeur on the banks of Windermere. Book a catered dinner, catch a movie with family and friends, top up the open fires. Pop to the pub then burrow down to the hoot of the owls.

 Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

High fells, still waters, good times

Whitelake Hall seems to need a British roadster from the classic age of motoring sitting on its winding drive. A red MG or E-Type would do the trick, something to accelerate the wind through the hair as the high fells and still waters of Windermere fly by. Maybe we can arrange it.

What’s already in place is four acres of lawn and woodland as part of a 5000-acre estate in the grand Lakeland style. This is a place to picnic by the tarn-fed pond by day before exploring the babbling brook, topiary trees and wild woodland. Then at dusk to hear the symphony of owls, spot the peacock or watch the wandering deer at dusk.

This is where you can get to know family and friends again, a grand 17th-century sprawl sleeping up to 24 adults and 2 children. It’s a place to top up the open fires with chunky logs from the woodpile, soak the stress away in the hot tub or call up the chef for catered dinners in the oak-panelled dining room, then wander down to Windermere to watch the sunset.

Pop to the Newby Bridge pubs for a nightcap, then return to rekindle the fire, wiggle your toes warm and pick a movie or play some games. Burrow down in the finest linen with only a hoot or two to intrude on your dreams. Wake to power showers, Cumberland sausage and another glorious day on Windermere’s western shore.

 Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Hot tub, gardens and grounds

The acres of gardens and native woodland here unfold before you in a luxuriant sweep. They demand you prepare a picnic and consume it by the pond that’s fed from the pure mountain tarns, or cross the stream by the bridge to wander the fenced woodlands dotted with singing birds and rutting stags.

The gardens are zen-still, feeding off the Lakeland hush on the western banks of Windermere beneath trail-rich Grizedale Forest. Read a book on the lawns by day, listen to the owls, spot a peacock or watch the deer at dusk, enjoy the topiary trees that edge the lawns, watch the sun set over Windermere from the tranquility of the stream-side hot tub.

Eat al-fresco on the patio area with garden furniture overlooking the lawns or invade the outdoor dining area ideal for lunch in summer. Lap it up. Life might never be this quiet again.

 Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes
 Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes
Living spacesLiving spacesLiving spacesLiving spaces

Living spaces

Beyond the heavy gate and the gravelled drive that sweeps past the woodland, the front door clunks behind you. From the imposing hallway, the lounge sits ready with its soft sofas and antique furnishings. Load the fire with logs from the woodpile, kick off your shoes and wiggle your toes in your chunky socks.

The view from the window takes in the rolling lawns and the topiary trees; a door leads out to the greenery. You could gaze forever, but it’s time to unwind together. Wander through to the guest lounge for books in front of the inglenook fireplace. Head out from the south-facing French windows to the patio.

Head to the TV room with 65″ TV for film nights or footie, and free wifi abounds for streaming on tablets or phones. This is the 17th century country seat with tech that’s far from post-Elizabethan. Settle back and rekindle the fire as you reconnect with the people who matter the most.

 Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Cooking and dining

The dining room’s the place to cement your kinship. Surrounded by wood-panelled walls and intricate period detail, you’ll raise a glass to family, friendship, or both, as the crystal sparkles and the cutlery glints in the light that floods in from the floor-to-ceiling sash windows.

Ask us about our in-house cooking, be it a one-off celebration or a fully catered break. Or you might fancy your own chances on the gas oven, with fresh fare from The Honeypot in Hawkshead piled high in the American fridge-freezer. Wash it down with a food-matched bottle or two from Windermere Wine Stores.

But we wouldn’t blame you for taking it easy. So pop on down to the Mason’s Arms at Strawberry Bank for damson-and-pork sausage, local game or Cartmel lamb shank. All with a side order of 15-mile views across a patchwork of fields to Scout Scar. Or try broth, bhajis or baked beetroot from The Queen’s Head.

Head to the Drunken Duck in Barngates, set high above Ambleside, for beef cheek, corn-fed chicken or coley. For posher nosh, it’s Lakeside Brasserie on the shore of Windermere, where candlelight, fresh flowers and fine wine accompany Graythwaite venison and mulled blackberries, or rare-breed steaks from a charcoal barbecue.

 Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes
 Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Bedrooms

Dripping with period features, bedrooms here are premium quality. They come individually furnished with oak panels, window seats, deep-pile carpets and en-suite power showers that pummel you with hot water. Antiques blend seamlessly with quirky, contemporary touches such as the four-poster made from reclaimed beams. All offer majestic views: prise yourself from the finest cotton bedding and gaze from leaded windows to see the deer that graze on the rolling parklands.

To get there, just follow the crooked staircases to arrive at a world of ancient beams and powder closets repurposed as modern wardrobes. First up is Catbells, a spacious kingsize four-poster room with garden views, TV and quirky en-suite. Grizedale is a delightful double with window seat and corner-bathed en-suite.

Tethera is a sumptuous superking zip & link with en-suite shower room and chillout lounge area, while Cunsey is also a superking that converts to twins beneath the beautiful oak beams. Warm your toes on the en-suite shower room’s underfloor heating. Esthwaite is a comfortable en-suite double with leaded windows. On the second floor, a further four bedrooms comprise two kingsize (one en-suite with shower) one double and one superking zip & link.

Adjacent to the main hall you will find the Dairy Cottage which offers a further three bedrooms with a shared bathroom. Bedrooms one and two are doubles, whilst bedroom three is a twin. All bedrooms in the Dairy Cottage are located on the first floor and offer garden and river views.

 Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes  Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes
What people say

What people say

Was a lovey house with lots of space, and have lot to do inside and outside. Outside view was amazing. House was nice and clean and a beautiful kitchen. We all just love everything of it in the house. - Jackie
My wife and I spent a long weekend at Whitelake Hall with a group of friends. Without a doubt one of the most enjoyable and unforgettable breaks we have ever had. The Hall itself is stunning. My only complaint is that I don't yet know when we will be able to return … Would recommend totally and without reservation - Jim
 Whitelake Hall - kate & tom's Large Holiday Homes

Gorges, ghylls and Go Ape

Kids can get up close and personal with fish, amphibians and reptiles at the Lakes Aquarium, trek the trees at Go Ape, or hire canoes at Low Wood. Grown-up kids can stay on site for archery, kayaking or clay-pigeon shooting, or venture out for ghyll-scrambling and gorge-walking, or just a little pampering at the Lakeside Hotel.