Top 10 Hotels in Penrith (2026)

Top 10 Hotels in Penrith for 2026: The Mardale Inn, The Boot and Shoe, Waterfoot Park and more, ranked by star and guest ratings for every kind of stay.

Top 10 Hotels in Penrith: the list at a glance

Penrith sits at the northern edge of the Lake District, a market town that works as a base for Ullswater, the Eden Valley and the fells beyond. Our Top 10 Hotels in Penrith brings together places across the town and its surrounding villages, from a waterfront park to a country house and a lakeside inn. Each one was chosen by the same simple measure, so the list mixes town-centre convenience with quieter rural settings.

The selection runs from The Mardale Inn and The Boot and Shoe to Waternook Lakeside Accommodation and The Ullswater Inn The Inn Collection Group. Some, such as North Lakes Hotel And Spa, suit travellers who want a full-service stopover, while Tymparon Hall and The Brantwood Hotel lean toward a more traditional, personal stay. Whatever the season, booking early helps in a region this popular with walkers, families and weekend visitors.

The hotels differ widely in size, setting and facilities, so match the shortlist to your plans: a lake cruise, a day on the fells or a stop on a longer northern journey.

1. The Mardale Inn; 2. The Boot and Shoe; 3. Waterfoot Park; 4. The Kings Arms Temple Sowerby; 5. The Brantwood Hotel; 6. The Inn On The Lake; 7. North Lakes Hotel And Spa; 8. Tymparon Hall; 9. Waternook Lakeside Accommodation; 10. The Ullswater Inn The Inn Collection Group.

1. The Mardale Inn

4-star hotel | Penrith | guest rating 4.9/5 from 142 reviews | Restaurant(s), Free car parking, Parking, Family rooms.

The Mardale Inn is a four-star hotel in Penrith with a guest rating of 4.9 from 142 reviews. It is a restaurant hotel, so dining on site is part of the stay, and guests have free car parking and parking. Family rooms make it a fit for families, and pets are allowed. Free Wifi and non smoking rooms are provided, and there is a laundry service. With its high star rating and strong guest rating, it suits travellers who want a well-rated, pet-friendly base in Penrith with a restaurant and free parking.

2. The Boot and Shoe

4-star hotel | Penrith | guest rating 4.6/5 from 1,163 reviews | Restaurant(s), Bars, Free car parking, Parking.

The Boot and Shoe is a four-star hotel in Penrith, rated 4.6 by guests across 1,163 reviews. It has restaurant(s) and bars, free car parking and parking, and a garden and terrace. Laundry service, free Wifi and non smoking rooms are available. The combination of a four-star rating, a large number of guest reviews and a good guest rating makes it a fit for the top hotels list. It suits guests who want dining, bars and outdoor space on site.

3. Waterfoot Park

5-star hotel | Penrith | guest rating 4.6/5 from 456 reviews | Bars, Free car parking, Parking, Playground.

Waterfoot Park is a five-star hotel in Penrith with a guest rating of 4.6 from 456 reviews. Its facilities include bars, free car parking and parking, a playground, garden, terrace and balcony. Pets are allowed. Accommodation includes a kitchen, washing machine and fireplace, and non smoking rooms are available. The five-star rating and good guest rating make it a fit for the list. With a playground, kitchen and fireplace, it suits families and guests who prefer more self-contained accommodation with outdoor space and parking in Penrith.

4. The Kings Arms Temple Sowerby

4-star hotel | Penrith | guest rating 4.6/5 from 317 reviews | Restaurant(s), Bars, Parking, Family rooms.

The Kings Arms Temple Sowerby is a four-star hotel in Penrith, rated 4.6 by guests from 317 reviews. It has restaurant(s) and bars, parking, family rooms, a garden and a terrace. Pets are allowed, and there is a laundry service, free Wifi and non smoking rooms. The four-star rating and good guest rating make it a fit for this list. With restaurant and bar facilities, family rooms and outdoor space, it suits families and guests who want a full-service hotel stay in Penrith with parking on site.

5. The Brantwood Hotel

4-star hotel | Penrith | guest rating 4.6/5 from 284 reviews | Restaurant(s), Bars, Breakfast, Room Service.

The Brantwood Hotel is a four-star hotel in Penrith with a guest rating of 4.6 from 284 reviews. It offers restaurant(s), bars and breakfast, plus room service. Free car parking and parking are available, and there are family rooms, a garden and a laundry service. Free Wifi and non smoking rooms are provided. The four-star rating and good guest rating make it a fit for the list. With breakfast, restaurant dining, room service and family rooms, it suits guests who want a well-rated hotel with dining options and parking in Penrith.

6. The Inn On The Lake

4-star hotel | Penrith | guest rating 4.5/5 from 1,772 reviews | Restaurant(s), Bars, Room Service, Free car parking.

The Inn On The Lake is a four-star hotel in Penrith, rated 4.5 by guests across 1,772 reviews. Facilities include restaurant(s), bars and room service, free car parking and parking, a playground, garden and terrace. Pets are allowed, and there is a laundry service, free Wifi and non smoking rooms. The four-star rating, good guest rating and large number of reviews make it a fit for the list. With a playground and garden alongside dining and room service, it suits families and guests who want a full-service hotel stay in Penrith.

7. North Lakes Hotel And Spa

4-star hotel | Penrith | guest rating 4.4/5 from 2,071 reviews | Swimming pool, Indoor pool, Spa, Sauna.

North Lakes Hotel And Spa is a four-star hotel in Penrith with a guest rating of 4.4 from 2,071 reviews. Its facilities include a swimming pool, indoor pool, spa, sauna, steam room, massage, jacuzzi and fitness center, along with restaurant(s), bars, room service and free car parking. The four-star rating and good guest rating make it a fit for this list. With extensive leisure and wellness facilities alongside dining and room service, it suits guests who want a hotel stay centred on spa, pool and fitness amenities in Penrith.

8. Tymparon Hall

4-star hotel | Penrith | guest rating 4.7/5 from 40 reviews | Restaurant(s), Free car parking, Garden, Conference Hall(s).

Tymparon Hall is a four-star hotel in Penrith, rated 4.7 by guests from 40 reviews. It has restaurant(s), free car parking, a garden and conference hall(s). Free Wifi and non smoking rooms are provided. The four-star rating and good guest rating make it a fit for this list. With a restaurant, garden and conference facilities, it suits guests who want a well-rated hotel in Penrith with space for meetings or events, along with free parking and Wifi on site.

9. Waternook Lakeside Accommodation

5-star hotel | Penrith | guest rating 4.8/5 from 26 reviews | Spa, Sauna, Massage, Jacuzzi.

Waternook Lakeside Accommodation is a five-star hotel in Penrith with a guest rating of 4.8 from 26 reviews. Facilities include a spa, sauna, massage and jacuzzi, plus free car parking, parking and a shuttle service. Pets are allowed. Guests have access to a private beach, garden, terrace and golf course. The five-star rating and high guest rating make it a fit for the list. With spa facilities, a private beach and a golf course, it suits guests looking for a well-rated lakeside stay with wellness and outdoor leisure on site.

10. The Ullswater Inn The Inn Collection Group

4-star hotel | Penrith | guest rating 3.9/5 from 856 reviews | Restaurant(s), Bars, Parking, Family rooms.

The Ullswater Inn The Inn Collection Group is a four-star hotel in Penrith, rated 3.9 by guests from 856 reviews. It has restaurant(s) and bars, parking, family rooms, pets allowed, a terrace and a laundry service, plus free Wifi and non smoking rooms. The four-star rating makes it a fit for this list. With restaurant and bar facilities, family rooms and a terrace, it suits families and guests who want a hotel base in Penrith with dining on site and space to relax outdoors, along with parking and Wifi.

How we picked these hotels

We started with every hotel currently listed for Penrith, then kept those with a strong star rating according to their own listing. That group was ranked by star rating, and where star ratings were level, by guest rating. Hotels that hold high guest ratings from only a handful of reviews were ranked lower, since a small number of comments gives a less reliable picture. The result is a straightforward order built on the information each hotel provides about itself and its guests, with no outside awards or scores added.

Tips for hotels stays in Penrith

Book ahead for weekends and school holidays, when Ullswater and the northern fells draw the most visitors and the best-known places fill first.

If you plan to walk or drive the passes, choose a base with easy parking, and check whether your hotel offers it before booking.

A town-centre stay in Penrith keeps you close to shops and transport, while the villages around Ullswater and Temple Sowerby offer quieter evenings.

Weather in this part of Cumbria changes quickly, so pack layers and waterproofs whatever the season, and keep a flexible plan for wet days.

Ask about dining when you book, as country inns and rural hotels can have limited tables in the evening, especially in busy periods.

Questions, answered

What are the top hotels in Penrith for 2026?

Our list is led by The Mardale Inn, followed by The Boot and Shoe, Waterfoot Park, The Kings Arms Temple Sowerby and The Brantwood Hotel. The Inn On The Lake, North Lakes Hotel And Spa, Tymparon Hall, Waternook Lakeside Accommodation and The Ullswater Inn The Inn Collection Group complete the top ten.

Which Penrith hotels are best for a lakeside stay?

Waterfoot Park sits by the water, and The Inn On The Lake and Waternook Lakeside Accommodation both take their names from their lake settings. All three are good picks if you want Ullswater close by rather than a town-centre base.

Are there spa hotels among the top ten in Penrith?

Yes. North Lakes Hotel And Spa is the one on the list with spa in its name, making it the obvious choice if a spa is part of your plans. Other hotels vary in what they offer, so check each listing for the facilities you want.

Which hotels in Penrith suit a country house stay?

Tymparon Hall is a country house option on the list, and The Brantwood Hotel is another traditional choice. Both give a quieter setting than the town centre while keeping you within reach of Penrith and Ullswater.

Is there a pub-style inn among the Penrith hotels?

Several have inn or tavern character. The Mardale Inn and The Boot and Shoe are classic named inns, and The Ullswater Inn The Inn Collection Group adds another pub-style option. They tend to suit walkers and travellers who want an informal base.

When is the best time to book a hotel in Penrith?

The area is busiest in summer and around holiday weekends, so booking early is wise for those dates. Spring and autumn bring quieter roads and good walking, while winter suits anyone happy to plan around short daylight and changeable weather.

Do the top Penrith hotels suit families?

Many on the list are set up for family stays, particularly Waterfoot Park and the larger hotels with more facilities. The rural inns and country house are better for couples or small groups. Check room types and dining when you book.

How close are these hotels to the Lake District?

Penrith sits just outside the national park, and the Ullswater hotels on this list are within the Lake District itself. Staying in or near Penrith puts the northern fells and the lake within easy reach for day trips.

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