The snow falls just added to the magic at the Lodore Falls Hotel when over 100 people packed in to see Aladdin.

Aladdin is the first pantomime performance ever held in the hotel. The panto was a complete sell out and the hotel “theatre” was buzzing with a very excited audience.

It couldn’t have been a more festive, winter wonderland location for the panto – snow on the fells, pretty Christmas lights and 70 sparking Christmas trees – the perfect backdrop for the performance.

Without doubt the family groups really enjoyed the panto, saying it was great to have some good family fun just before Christmas and the Blast off Burgers went down a treat in the interval. Visitors included nine members of the Hughes family from Keswick who thoroughly enjoyed the occasion – a special trip for Emelia who was eight next day.

Sophie Kings, Assistant Manager of the Lodore Falls Hotel part of the Lake District Hotels Ltd group and organiser of the panto said “We thought there was a need for some traditional panto fun this Christmas and I am thrilled so many people wanted to see it. Everyone agreed it was fantastically funny for adults and children alike and very engaging for the little ones who loved sitting on the silk cushions at the front. The kids were such an integral part of the performance and the feedback has been fantastic – seeing everyone laughing, shouting and clapping so much was utterly fabulous and we are already thinking of what we can do next year.”

Anyone interested in organising groups for next year should contact Sophie Kings on 017687 77285 or visit http://www.lakedistricthotels.net

The Borrowdale Hotel steps back in time with an exhibition of old photographs depicting life in the Borrowdale valley hundreds of years ago. The exhibition is set to run until the end of October.

The display, by kind permission of Patricia Roscamp, is made up from historical photographs that have been hung in the Borrowdale Hotel bar. It is quite fitting that the photographic exhibition is being held at the Borrowdale hotel in the Lake District – built over 140 years ago it was the first purpose built hotel in the valley.

General Manager Stephen Wilcock is also marking the occasion by introducing a luncheon and dinner menu that is representative of the 1800’s. Dinner guests can choose from today’s a-la-carte menu, or choose dishes from a menu available to guests in the 19th century. The menu is as close to tradition as possible, but certainly doesn’t go as far as Heston Blumenthal’s Tudor feasts shown on TV last autumn. Diners can choose from two, three or four courses which includes Victorian favourites like ‘Ham Hock Terrine with pureed peas, roast goose and an old fashioned desert of Lemon Posset with almond brandy.

Head Chef Peter Starauscheck has tried to replicate 19th century dishes wherever possible, but knows tastes have changed! “Local ingredients and seasonality have always been important, but Chef’s in 1800 would have goose on the menu any time of the year – today geese are generally available around Christmas, so we had to place a special order to ensure we could include Goose on the menu. Once the Pheasant season begins we will be introducing a three bird roast of goose stuffed with a chicken and pheasant.”

Lunch time visitors to this Lake District hotel can sample the ‘Bygone Days two or three course luncheon’ while they peruse the photos and history of the valley; potted salmon with pink peppercorns, egg, lemon, peppers and a tomato vinaigrette, or chunky vegetable and bacon soup, followed by slow braised shoulder of mutton served upon stewed pearl barley and vegetables. Proper puddings were certainly fashionable in the early 1800’s and a rhubarb and Bramley apple crumble mixed with oats and nuts would be warmly welcomed – then and now.

Stephen Wilcock said “we have completed most of the hotel refurbishment and thought the exhibition would be a good opportunity for local people to come and have a look. We have mounted the old pictures and hung them in the bar so visitors can see how the valley used to look while they enjoy lunch afternoon tea or dinner. Adding a 19th century dinner menu certainly tested Chef – but like today, they would have used as many local lake District ingredients as possible and diners will be delighted when they see what we can offer.”

For more details on the exhibition and details of the 19th century dinner menu at the Borrowdale Hotel please contact the General Manager – Stephen Wilcock on 017687 77224, http://www.lakedistricthotels.net or http://www.lakedistricthotels.net/borrowdalehotel/index.htm.

For the 4th successive year the Lodore Falls Hotel has taken an award at the Keswick Tourism Association ‘Keswick in Bloom’ Competition.

Results were announced earlier this week (Tuesday) and the hotel scooped Best Garden in the large hotel category.

The hotel has 40 acres of grounds to manicure and uniquely has the Lodore Falls situated in the grounds – which makes it an attractive and very audible garden. It also has its own pack horse bridge and lakeside frontage – popular settings for photographs.

General Manager Stephen Johnson said “This is the 4th year in succession that the hotel has been mentioned in the Keswick in Bloom Awards and we are pleased that the hard work put into our gardens is appreciated. They are a natural draw for visitors who enjoy seeing the planting bloom through different seasons. The gardens have been carefully planned to be naturally sympathetic to the local environment – and occasionally there is a Herdwick sheep who wanders through – very in keeping but not popular with our gardeners! The picturesque grounds provide a stunning backdrop for guests enjoying the outdoor hot tub and we also get some great comments from photographers and wedding guests”.

This imposing hotel, part of the luxury Lake District Hotels Ltd group, was built in traditional Lakeland slate has had a commanding presence in the Borrowdale Valley for over 200 years. Standing in 40 acres of grounds with lake frontage and the dramatic backdrop of the spectacular Lodore Falls and surrounding mountains, this Lake District hotel has one of the finest settings, with access to some of the most impressive walks in the area from the front door.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the gardens should contact Stephen Johnson at the Lodore Falls Hotel on 017687 77285 or visit http://www.lakedistricthotels.net/lodorefalls/

Grove Cottages, the Lake District cottages company with properties in Ambleside, announce the launch of their new website.
www.grovecottages.com has been refurbished and updated to fully promote the refurbishments and upgrades of the five properties on Grove Farm. The new website offers much clearer and informative details on each cottage, the environment, farm and location. An online booking system has been integrated allowing quick and easy real time availability and booking of each cottage. More images have been included which enlarge when clicked.

Grove Farmhouse is the latest addition to the four holiday cottage lets already on the farm. This new renovation comfortably accommodates 8 – 10 people. Grove Farmhouse has been finished to a very high standard and contains all the modern conveniences expected from a luxury holiday let without compromising the original features of the farmhouse. Grove Farmhouse has two lounges each with log burning stoves, wireless broadband access and in the kitchen, a traditional Rayburn cooking range. A total of three bathrooms make this property an excellent choice for a large group.

The luxury Lake District cottages lie in the beautiful Stock Valley in Ambleside. They are reached by a private drive from Ambleside, which runs past Stockghyll Falls and nature park, climbing to 700 feet to offer some of the finest Panoramic views in the Lake District. Each of the Cumbrian cottages has been lovingly converted from a traditional Lakeland barn. Guests are invited to relax in the secluded gardens, or explore the farm and its wildlife. The latest development on the farm is Grove Farmhouse which was released earlier this year. This new renovation comfortably accommodates 8 – 10 people. Grove Farmhouse has been finished to a very high standard and contains all the modern conveniences expected from a luxury holiday let without compromising the original features of the farmhouse.

Andrew Howard together with his brothers Max and Ross, took over the running of Grove Farm in the summer of 2008.Their family has been farming for over 150 years on the edge of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire. Grove is a typical Lakeland hill farm, running to some 160 acres of grass and woodland on the slopes of the Stock Valley. The pastures on the farm are home to the Howard’s herd of pedigree Dunn Galloway cattle. The cattle are sold to local speciality butchers.

For further information and to check availability go to http://www.grovecottages.com or telephone 015394 33074.

Holidaycottagescumbria.com are pleased to announce the addition of Hardcragg Hall to their portfolio of Lake District self catering properties.

Hardcragg Hall is the latest addition to Holidaycottagescumbria.com Cumbria portfolio of 5 individually owned holiday cottages. Hardcragg Hall is the pinnacle of 5 star luxury Lake District self catering accommodation and can facilitate large groups of up to 14 guests with its 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. This stunning Elizabethan manor house makes an excellent choice for luxury family holidays, short breaks, celebrations, special occasions, wedding guests, parties, large groups or for a get together of family or friends.

Hardcragg Hall is steeped in history and dates back to 1563 and this grade II listed country manor house is reputed to be the oldest building in the local area. This historic manor house is lavishly furnished with antiques and high quality furnishings throughout. There are several spacious reception rooms that all interconnect, including the dining room, drawing room, bar area, breakfast room, library, the oak panelled entrance hall area with its roaring log fire and the snug lounge with patio doors leading out into the landscaped gardens and grounds. The recently furnished farmhouse kitchen is superbly equipped with everything you will need to cater for large groups or couples alike and boasts a four oven Aga, a 5 burner gas hob and double electric oven. Adjoining the kitchen, the utility room is equipped with washing machine, tumble dryer, freezer and plenty of storage and drying space.

This large Lake District cottage 10+ is ideally located in Grange-over-Sands on the Southern edge of the English Lake District. Grange over Sands is one of Cumbria’s secret gems and is the Lake District’s principle sea side town. This is an ideal location for scenic fell and woodland walks, together with a mile long, traffic free promenade overlooking the sands of Morecambe Bay.

Holidaycottagescumbria.com is owned, managed, and run by Simon Cleasby with the help of a team of good housekeepers, and maintenance staff. Simon is a knowledgeable local Cumbrian (nee Westmorland) with a huge passion for the Lake District and Cumbria. Simon travelled and worked his way around the different continents for a few years before coming back to live in the South Lakes to start up this luxury Lake District holiday cottages company.

For more information and latest availability on this property go to http://www.holidaycottagescumbria.com/hardcragg_hall.html or phone +44 (0)1524 702955

There are several new experiences at the Lodore Falls Hotel which are proving popular with visitors and locals too.

There’s the new ‘Café Culture’ at the Leisure Club, new treatments for men in the Beauty Salon, a new hot tub with stunning views across the lake and Cat Bells – and finally a new life enhancing club called ZEST!

The whole ambience at the Lodore Falls is one of relaxation and a chance to spoil yourself – and with a number of local people using the facilities, the ZEST experience was an obvious next step.

Zest is a new club that offers a schedule of treatments over 3, 6 or 12 months. It entitles you to a range of half hour or full hour treatments at greatly reduced prices and is very simple to use. The longer your membership the greater the discount on treatments.

It’s not just the ladies that are making use of Zest. Christine Bibby, Salon Manager said “treatments for men are now very popular. We wanted to make sure we can appeal to gentlemen too, so we have launched new facials as well as Turkish wet shaves and massages. It is important that we keep looking for new ideas and the new treatments for men are certainly a hit.”

Kit Graves, Managing Director of Lake District Hotels said “If you have ever thought ‘I would really like some me time’, then Zest is perfect for you and we are pleased to see that more and more local people are making use of the hotel facilities too.”

Leisure facilities at this luxury Lake District hotel are constantly being improved with two more new additions  -  the new Café Culture recently opened in the Leisure Club, providing morning coffee, light lunches or simply a cool drink after a workout in the gym, a swim in the indoor or outdoor pool. The second enticing addition to the facilities is the new outdoor Hot Tub!

The hot tub boasts stunning views across Derwentwater, and sits alongside the river running from the famous Lodore Falls. General Manager Stephen Johnson said “The tub is attracting a lot of attention and many Spa guests are enjoying the hot tub experience with a glass of chilled bubbly – so it’s no wonder our champagne sales have gone through the roof!”

Anyone interested in finding out more about Zest or any of the leisure and Beauty facilities should contact the Lodore Falls Hotel on 017687 87722 or visit http://www.lakedistricthotels.net/lodorefalls/