Willowbeck Lodge

The Willowbeck Lodge is a little oasis close to the M6. The grounds are lovely. We stayed in Eva's cottage and it was decorated very tastefully. We had a small patio outside which was a treat after a long journey to relax. There were a couple of issues with the room as there was no mirror in the room to do your makeup or dry your hair. There is a mirror in the bathroom but no plugs nearby. The door to the bathroom wouldn't shut properly which was annoying. Lastly, some kind of privacy film or blinds on the large windows would help to give you a bit of privacy. In the evening we ate in the restaurant and the food was well priced and excellent. The communal areas are decorated tastefully and are very relaxing. Our breakfast experience wasn't great as I was served cold de-caff coffee, I requested scrambled eggs with my breakfast and only received a small tablespoon of eggs, the bacon was over done and the sausage was very pale. Most of the staff were really friendly and helpful. The young lady serving breakfast in the morning could try and smile a bit more. Overall a nice stop off when travelling.

This is our second stop here, and it won't be the last! Exceptional service, and a modern-designed room with a very chic en-suite. We stayed in Eva's, a little cottage overlooking a gorgeous garden and beautifully maintained pond. Dinner was delicious, beautifully prepared and cooked. I had octopus with padron peppers and chorizo from the grill, my husband a perfectly cooked steak. The creme brûlée was delicious, as was the chocolate bread and butter pudding. We both slept like stones in the quiet countryside night, and enjoyed a delicious breakfast, the French toast being extremely memorable - I wish I could make it half as well!|Thanks to Andrew and the team for a wonderful stay. We will see you again!

Very pleasant room, wonderful welcome. Dining room fairly utilitarian but food good and decent wine selection but slightly on the pricy side. Great location and service made up for that. Breakfast good, but the self service juice etc wasn’t obvious and wasn’t pointed out to us. We only stayed one night and it is very handy for JN 43 on the M6, but it looks as lovely choice for a few days close to the lakes.

Wonderful late booked night stay in Hazel room. Friendly staff, brilliant food ( THE best fish, chips, peas and curry) I have EVER had. Comfy, cosy and just great.

We came here to celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary, a lovely surprise organised by my husband. It took us just under two hours to drive from Edinburgh, and it was absolutely worth the trip. The B&B was spotlessly clean, cosy and welcoming. Everyone we met greeted us with a smile, creating such a warm and friendly atmosphere that you rarely find in larger hotels, which can sometimes feel a bit impersonal. I absolutely adore this kind of family-run place. I’m lactose intolerant, and both breakfast and dinner were handled with great care. The chef was incredibly thoughtful. I even learned for the first time that sausages can contain milk. At first, I thought they’d simply forgotten mine, but it turned out they were making sure they were safe for me to eat. Thank you for a wonderful stay. We’ll definitely be back again. One funny moment: my husband told me there were otters in the pond, but they’re shy and only come out at night. So I found myself hiding behind the curtains in the early hours, hoping to catch a glimpse. Sadly, no luck this time.

Owners unbelievably rude and I wouldn't recommend to anyone. Gave away our prebooked room with no warning to guests that had turned up without booking. Changed us to a different room, even though we had been very specific with our requirements. Then went absolutely mental when we complained. Offered us a bottle of alcohol, which we don't drink, and expected it to fix everything. When he realised I was recording the situation, he went even more irrational and aggressive following us to our car still shouting. Real shame as the building itself looked great. But not worth the hassle of the owner. Really upsetting experience after a long day and on our only holiday of the year. Ended up leaving and finding somewhere else. Would NOT recommend.

Omg what a hidden gem this place is. I've only just checked in and already happy to write a 5 star review! The place is an artists dream, I sat and painted by the pond & relaxation was perfect. Our room is right next to reception, hardly any noise so far and very happy to hear the bar shuts at 10pm which is ideal for sleep! The room is done to an extremely high standard, nice to see a portable mirror for us lady's who need light for make up the next day. There's a double shower which is actually a double shower, two shower heads! A little terrace where you can sit too. A privacy screen between the reception and room would be a great addition as it would define it as a separate area. Food was nice and well labeled for allergies. Not a huge choice but a quality choice on the menu. Staff are lovely, very polite and professional. Drinks are fairly priced. Food tasted very good, I had scallops which are tricky to get right and they were perfectly cooked, top marks to the chef, they've absolutely got good experience. We're planning on a return visit and bring the kids next time. Lovely stay :)

We recently stayed at Willowbeck Lodge for one night, on two occasions ten days apart, once on our way to Scotland and the other on the return journey. On both visits we enjoyed the same high standards of hospitality. Our room was clean, spacious and very comfortable providing a restful night’s sleep after long journeys. Breakfast was very good with a wide choice and served in the attractive bar area. We also had dinner in Fini’s Restaurant, on the ground floor, on both occasions and thoroughly enjoyed our meals (I have reviewed this separately under Restaurants).|We will certainly make a return visit to Willowbeck Lodge next time we are travelling through the area. Being only 1¼ miles from Junction 43 of the M6, near Carlisle, makes it so convenient, and its setting amongst the trees by a wildlife pond makes it such a calm place to spend the night.