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It takes determination to reach – a 30-minute drive up a narrow road – but the Wasdale Head Inn is a place of pilgrimage for many a walker and climber. In the western Lake District, and accessed from the coastal road at Gosforth, the inn sits where the road peters out at the head of Wasdale valley and beneath some of the region’s mightiest fells, such as Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Pillar. The scenery is magnificent while Wastwater, the region’s deepest lake, is both compelling and forbidding.
The inn, a former 18th-century farm, is comfortably traditional with patterned carpets, heavy oak furniture and a beautiful panelled dining room – where breakfast is taken - lined with vintage climbing photographs, many taken by the celebrated mountaineering Abraham brothers of Keswick. More are hung on the staircase, landing and in bedrooms, the latter fuss-free affairs with pine furniture, plain walls and the odd feature wallpaper and bright throw to add splashes of colour. They may be quite plain – those in the separate barn have beams and more privacy – but they offer all you need after a day’s walking: deep baths, piping-hot water, efficient radiators and fell views to entice you for the next day’s adventure.
The bar is the heart of the hotel, a large and busy slate-flagged affair with cosy booths, solid tables, cherry-red cushions, little snugs and a coal-fired stove. Food is hearty and filling – home-made pies and burgers, steaks, and fish and chips – that replenishes a day on the hills. Around six hand-pulled ales, too. Leave room for the home-made sticky toffee pudding. After a wild day on the fells when the wind was high, the rain torrential and the effort exhilarating, it was what I needed – but only after a very welcome glass of red wine!
Great walks
Views
Climbing
Pet friendly
Wildlife Area
Active Holiday
Learning
Sights nearby
Secluded setting
Charming
Remote
Owner managed
Quiet
Less £
Outstanding location
Full of character
House party feel
Intimate
Traditional
Wellbeing
Child friendly
Antiques
Inn
Historic
Landmark
Restaurant
Hills & mountains
Rooms
12 rooms in this hotelPet friendly
Well-behaved dogs are accepted at the discretion of the management . A charge of £10 per dog per night in hotel accommodationShops
The Barn Door Shop offers everything the walker, climber & camper could need.Bath robes
Parking
Bar
Fireplace
Wifi
Satellite / Cable TV
Sitting Room
Child friendly
Garden
Restaurant
Great walks
Climbing
Wildlife Area
Learning
Sights nearby
Why do people love staying in your hotel? The closest hotel to Scafell Pike and Wastwater, with almost 30 Wainwrights outside the front door
What is there to do in the area? Great for walking and climbing, or peaceful low level strolls. Popular sightseeing and swimming spots include Ritsons Force, the Emerald Pools and Wastwater itself
What kind of breakfast do you offer? A choice of full English or vegetarian with fruit, yoghurt and toast
Do you offer other meals? Yes, we have a fully bar menu throughout the year, and the restaurant is open Friday and Saturday throughout the season
And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? There’s nowhere else to eat within walking distance, there are several pubs and hotels around 7 miles away
Which are your most popular room types, and why? Double rooms in the hotel and our suites and self-catering apartments are the most popular
What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ? We can provide rollaway beds in most rooms and apartments. We have various board games and the great outdoors for children (and of course TV)
What message would you like to give The Hotel Guru readers? Visit Wasdale to experience the highest mountain, deepest lake and smallest church in England. An ideal location to get away from the crowds
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