You may not be mad about the idea of a break in the shadow of a nuclear power station, but I can assure you The Sella Park Hotel gave us a warm glow of contentment. Set in rolling lawns and apple orchard beside a bubbling crystal-clear river, this historic building was there hundreds of years before Windscale and will still be there long after Sellafield has been decommissioned.
We stayed for two nights with our dogs and ate in the restaurant each evening. The food was of a high standard, but not perfect. I was disappointed by the gravadlax salmon, which was tough but delighted by the rump of lamb and my husband loved the duck breast. The menu was short but had sufficient range for most tastes.
The staff, especially Richard, Kieren and Simon were extremely helpful and freindly and made us feel very welcome.
We had Room 11 which was on the top floor and overlooked the front of the hotel. It was a great size, with full-sized bathroom and large comfy bed. The decor in the bathroom was a little tired in places and was carpetted, which I do not like in a bathroom, but we had no complaints about cleanliness. We loved the exposed beams and stone mullions and were particularly charmed by the ancient woodwork of the staircase leading up to our room.
Throughout our stay we were warm and relaxed. Whether sitting in the cosy lounge with a beer and a crossword, or walking the dogs by the river in the private gardens, we found peace and comfort at this hotel.
We visited nearby Muncaster Castle and walked along the beach at Seascale. Ravenglass is another quaint village with beach just seven miles along the coast. Even in the blustery December weather we found plenty of interest and beauty in the surrounding area.
Dogs are welcome by arrangement at a modest extra charge. It was very quiet while we were there and our poodles were allowed in the lounge, but that may not always be the case. Check when booking.
Well worth a visit but it is a remote location, so be prepared for a drive.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC