Taking a look inside The Samling

1024 628 Toby Cruse
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Built in the 1870s as a private home by Mr Edward Thorneycroft overlooking the north-east shore of Lake Windermere, The Samling enjoys an elevated position from which to soak in a truly wonderful view across the length of the lake and out over woodlands, fields and the properties landscaped gardens.

Design
The interiors of The Samling have been designed to offer an experience of deep comfort, from the soothing shades of dove grey of the walls in the bedrooms to the sumptuously generous pillows on every Hypnos bed. Stepping into the hotel, a light and airy reception area greets guests, with a snug library to one side, perfect for a quiet afternoon, and an elegant lounge leading on to the bar and finally to the marvellous restaurant. There are 12 guest bedrooms and suites, each named after notable Lake District locations, and each designed with an individual layout.

Coniston, a Junior Suite in the main house, has a lofty double-height vaulted ceiling and lovely view of the lake, whilst Windermere is a two-floor cottage set to the side of the main house, with a large sitting room, upstairs sleeping area and a private patio overlooking the lake. Design highlights include a magnificent copper bathtub and a thick natural local slate wall in the living area. Blea Tarn and Buttermere sit next to the main house and comprise two interconnecting bedrooms which can be booked separately or as a pair for families or friends exploring the lakes together.

Food and drink
The Samling has fine food and drink at its heart with Head Chef Peter Howarth, who joined in October 2017. The restaurant is housed in an impressive new glass fronted space positioned to frame Lake Windermere in dramatic effect from three sides. In the development kitchen – which also enjoys amazing views – (Chef Howarth works closely with the gardener to plan and create dishes that will excite and tantalize.

The Samling uses progressive growing techniques to create fresh daily produce supplying the core ingredients for the restaurant’s dish development, and great importance is placed upon adding to this with local suppliers and seasonal produce). The team rear their own chickens in the garden to supply fresh eggs daily.

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner tasting menus as well as breakfast, with the option to enjoy any of these meals outside on the wonderful lake-side terrace or in the privacy of your own room. Dishes might include Hay Smoked Halibut, Scottish Langoustine and horseradish as an appetiser course, a meat course of Lakeland Lamb, Pumpkin and Anchovy, and Carrot Cake, Walnuts and Milk Ice Cream to finish.

The 4-course lunch tasting menu is priced at £45 per person, the 7-course seasonal menu is £80 and the 10-course signature menu is £100. A popular afternoon tea is also offered, with locally inspired patisserie and savoury items, and all menus regularly change with the seasons.

Activities
Diversions might include a visit to Wordsworth’s cottage, exploring the neighbouring Ullswater Valley via the challenging Kirkstone Pass, or simply relaxing in the outdoor hot tub and soaking in the view. The team at The Samling can craft individual experiences depending on the interest of every guest, including driver guided bespoke lakes tours exploring the UNESCO World Heritage status landscape of the lakes.

There’s also cycling, mountain biking, water sports on Lake Windermere such as sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and boat rides, all of which can be organised at the water sports centre two minutes from the property. Additional activities can be organised on request, with the many expert and qualified companies operating in the Lakes, from canyoning to mountain winter skills.

Getting there
Regular trains to Oxenholme from London Euston take approximately 2 hours 50 minutes, The Samling is an easy 20-minute taxi ride from Oxenholme station. There is also a local train service connecting Oxenholme to Windermere station which is 3.5 miles from the hotel. The nearest airports are Carlisle, Liverpool and Manchester.

The Samling offers nightly rates from £310 based on two sharing a Double Room in low season, on a bed and breakfast basis.

Toby Cruse / 16.03.2018

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

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Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

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Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

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