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5-star hotels in Carlisle
This shortlist gathers the 5-star hotels and country houses in and around Carlisle, England, for travellers who want the highest class of stay in Cumbria, from a lakeside lodge to farm cottages and guesthouses in the surrounding countryside.
Staying in Carlisle
Carlisle is a historic border city in Cumbria, in the north of England, and this site currently lists 244 places to stay here, with 11 rated 5-star and an average guest score of 4.2 out of 5. The city centre, with its cathedral and castle, is the usual base for a short break, while the surrounding villages and countryside offer a quieter, more rural Cumbria experience.
These 5-star stays sit mostly outside the city centre, in villages and hamlets such as Thurstonfield, Penton, Hethersgill, Ivegill, Southwaite, Moorhouse, Pooley Bridge and Longtown. That makes them well suited to couples and families looking for space, gardens and self-catering comforts, and to guests with a car who want to combine Carlisle with the Lake District and the wider border country. For business travel or a car-free short break, a more central Carlisle hotel may be a better fit.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
The Tranquil Otter
The Lough Thurstonfield, Carlisle, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
Why stay hereSet beside the water at Thurstonfield, this 5-star retreat puts a garden and free car parking at your disposal, with laundry service for longer stays. It sits 8.3 km from the centre of Carlisle, so you are close enough for the city yet away from its bustle. Guests have rated it 4.8 out of 5 across 151 reviews. Best for couples and small groups who want quiet, space and easy self-drive access.
See The Tranquil OtterBessiestown Country Guesthouse
Catlowdy Penton Carlisle Cumbria, Carlisle, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Family rooms
Why stay hereA country guesthouse in Penton, 21.6 km from Carlisle, with free car parking, free Wifi and a garden to come back to. Bathrooms come with both a bath and a shower, and family rooms, a lounge and housekeeping make longer stays easy. Non smoking rooms throughout. Suits families and anyone touring the border country by car who wants a rural base with room to spread out.
See Bessiestown Country GuesthouseWestmains Farm
Westmains Farm Penton, Carlisle, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereWestmains Farm combines free car parking and free Wifi with a garden, and fishing and a golf course for days when you would rather stay put. The 5-star farm setting lies 24.1 km from Carlisle, deep in open country. Non smoking rooms keep the atmosphere fresh. A good match for golfers, anglers and drivers who want their leisure on the doorstep.
See Westmains FarmHighgate
The Mount_X000d_Hethersgill_X000d__X000d_, Carlisle, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereHighgate offers a kitchen, a fireplace and a jacuzzi, plus a garden, free Wifi and parking at this 5-star address in Hethersgill, 13.3 km from Carlisle. Couples and families who want self-catering comfort and a warm room to return to will find it here.
See HighgateBeacon Cottage
Ivegill_X000d_, Carlisle, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereBeacon Cottage at Ivegill is a 5-star self-catering base 12.2 km from Carlisle, with a kitchen, dishwasher and washing machine, plus a cot for younger guests. Free Wifi and free car parking are included, and a garage adds covered space. The garden and non smoking rooms round it off. Suits families and small groups who want independence and a straightforward drive into the city.
See Beacon CottageEllerton Croft
Ellerton Croft_X000d_Southwaite_X000d_, Carlisle, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereEllerton Croft at Southwaite pairs a kitchen and fireplace with a jacuzzi, and welcomes pets, so nobody has to stay behind. Free Wifi and free car parking are provided, along with a garden and a cot. The 5-star property is 10.3 km from Carlisle. Ideal for families and pet owners who want a rural self-catering stay within easy reach of the city.
See Ellerton CroftChestnuts
Moorhouse_X000d__X000d__X000d_, Carlisle, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereChestnuts at Moorhouse is a 5-star cottage 7.1 km from Carlisle, close enough for an easy run into town. A kitchen, dishwasher and washing machine handle everyday needs, while free Wifi, free car parking and a garage cover the practical side. The garden and non smoking rooms keep things calm. Well suited to families and couples who prefer self-catering to a hotel routine.
See ChestnutsDuke of Portland Boathouse on the shore of Lake Ullswater ideal for a romantic break
Pooley Bridge, Carlisle, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThis boathouse at Pooley Bridge sits on the shore of Lake Ullswater, 32.2 km from Carlisle, with a balcony, a fireplace and a kitchen. Free Wifi and free car parking are included, and the garden and lake setting make it a natural choice for a romantic break. High chairs are available. Best for couples and small families who want water views and self-catering space.
See Duke of Portland Boathouse on the shore of Lake Ullswater ideal for a romantic breakReflection
Carwinley Mill House Carwinley Longtown, Carlisle, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereReflection at Carwinley near Longtown offers a jacuzzi, a kitchen and a garden, with free car parking and pets allowed. Fishing and a golf course are close at hand for active days. The 5-star property lies 17.0 km from Carlisle. A strong option for couples and pet owners who want a quiet rural base with leisure on the doorstep.
See ReflectionCarwinley Mill House Cottage
Carwinley Mill House Carwinley Longtown, Carlisle, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereCarwinley Mill House Cottage is a 5-star self-catering property 17.0 km from Carlisle, with free Wifi, free car parking and a garden. Golf course and non smoking rooms are among its features, making it a simple, comfortable base. Suits couples and small groups who want a rural stay with easy parking and their own space.
See Carwinley Mill House Cottage
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Tranquil Otter | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 8.3 km |
| Bessiestown Country Guesthouse | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 21.6 km |
| Westmains Farm | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 24.1 km |
| Highgate | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 13.3 km |
| Beacon Cottage | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 12.2 km |
| Ellerton Croft | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | 10.3 km |
| Chestnuts | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 7.1 km |
| Duke of Portland Boathouse on the shore of Lake Ullswater ideal for a romantic break | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 32.2 km |
| Reflection | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | 17.0 km |
| Carwinley Mill House Cottage | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 17.0 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
Bessiestown Country Guesthouse has family rooms, while Beacon Cottage, Ellerton Croft and Chestnuts each provide kitchens, gardens and cots. Ellerton Croft also allows pets. These are roomy, self-contained bases for families who want to cook, spread out and stay outside the city centre.
Bessiestown Country Guesthouse · Beacon Cottage · Ellerton Croft · Chestnuts
For couples
Ellerton Croft has a Jacuzzi, fireplace and garden; Reflection offers a Jacuzzi and allows pets; and the Duke of Portland Boathouse on the shore of Lake Ullswater is described as ideal for a romantic break. All three suit couples wanting privacy and a peaceful rural setting.
Ellerton Croft · Duke of Portland Boathouse on the shore of Lake Ullswater ideal for a romantic break · Reflection
Closest to the centre
Chestnuts is 7.1 km from the centre, The Tranquil Otter 8.3 km, and Ellerton Croft 10.3 km. For a Carlisle stay that is still within easy reach of the city, these are the closest 5-star options on this list, each with parking and a garden.
Lakeside and waterside
The Tranquil Otter is set at Lough Thurstonfield and has a garden, while the Duke of Portland Boathouse sits on the shore of Lake Ullswater in Pooley Bridge. These are the picks for guests who want water on the doorstep, with parking and non-smoking rooms.
The Tranquil Otter · Duke of Portland Boathouse on the shore of Lake Ullswater ideal for a romantic break
Where to stay in Carlisle
Thurstonfield
Thurstonfield is a small settlement around Lough Thurstonfield, west of Carlisle. The Tranquil Otter is a 5-star hotel here with a 4.8 out of 5 guest rating from 151 reviews, a garden, free car parking and laundry service, 8.3 km from the centre. It suits guests who want a quiet waterside base within a short drive of Carlisle.
Our picks here: The Tranquil Otter
Penton
Penton is a rural parish north of Carlisle, close to the Scottish border. Bessiestown Country Guesthouse is a 5-star guesthouse with family rooms, free Wifi, a garden and free car parking, 21.6 km from the centre. Westmains Farm, 24.1 km out, adds fishing, a golf course and free parking for guests who want countryside activities.
Our picks here: Bessiestown Country Guesthouse · Westmains Farm
Longtown
Longtown sits in the far north of Cumbria, near the border. Reflection and Carwinley Mill House Cottage are both 5-star stays at Carwinley Mill House, 17 km from Carlisle. Reflection has a Jacuzzi, kitchen and pets allowed; Carwinley Mill House Cottage offers free Wifi, a garden, a golf course and free car parking.
Our picks here: Reflection · Carwinley Mill House Cottage
Pooley Bridge
Pooley Bridge is a village at the northern end of Lake Ullswater, in the Lake District. The Duke of Portland Boathouse on the shore of Lake Ullswater, ideal for a romantic break, is a 5-star property here with a balcony, fireplace, kitchen, lake views and free car parking, 32.2 km from Carlisle.
Our picks here: Duke of Portland Boathouse on the shore of Lake Ullswater ideal for a romantic break
Questions, answered
Which of these 5-star hotels is closest to Carlisle city centre?
Chestnuts is the closest at 7.1 km from the centre, followed by The Tranquil Otter at 8.3 km and Ellerton Croft at 10.3 km. All are 5-star stays outside the city itself.
Which 5-star hotels here allow pets?
Ellerton Croft and Reflection both list pets allowed among their facilities. No other hotel on this shortlist names pets allowed, so check with the property before bringing a dog elsewhere.
Which 5-star hotel near Carlisle has a pool or spa?
None of the hotels on this shortlist lists a pool or spa. Two do offer a Jacuzzi: Ellerton Croft and Reflection, both 5-star properties outside the city centre.
Do these hotels have free parking?
Free car parking is listed at The Tranquil Otter, Bessiestown Country Guesthouse, Westmains Farm, Beacon Cottage, Ellerton Croft, Chestnuts, the Duke of Portland Boathouse, Reflection and Carwinley Mill House Cottage. Highgate lists parking but not free car parking.
Which is the top-rated 5-star hotel in Carlisle on this list?
The Tranquil Otter has a guest rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 151 reviews, the only rating shown among these 5-star stays. It is 8.3 km from Carlisle city centre and has a garden and free car parking.
Which 5-star hotels are best for families?
Bessiestown Country Guesthouse has family rooms, and Beacon Cottage, Ellerton Croft and Chestnuts each offer a kitchen, garden and cot. They suit families who want self-contained space outside Carlisle.
Do these 5-star hotels have Wifi?
Free Wifi is listed at Bessiestown Country Guesthouse, Westmains Farm, Highgate, Beacon Cottage, Ellerton Croft, Chestnuts, the Duke of Portland Boathouse and Carwinley Mill House Cottage. The Tranquil Otter lists free car parking, a garden and laundry service instead.
Which 5-star hotel is closest to Lake Ullswater?
The Duke of Portland Boathouse on the shore of Lake Ullswater, ideal for a romantic break, is in Pooley Bridge, 32.2 km from Carlisle, with a balcony, fireplace and lake among its facilities.