[T]he Ullswater Valley’s newest hotel, Another Place, The Lake, celebrated its first birthday on Tuesday 14 August 2018.
The newly extended 40-bedroom hotel complete with a ‘pool with a view’ over Ullswater and the fells beyond, has proved extremely popular with both locals and visitors since opening its doors in 2017.
Staff and guests celebrated the day with a specially created birthday cake built entirely of Tunnock’s Teacakes – a nod to the fact the hotel keeps jars of the famous teacakes around the building – a real hit with guests of all ages. The croquembouche style cake was made up of 192 teacakes including milk and dark chocolate Tunnock’s.
Another Place, The Lake is the first in a new collection of hotels from the team behind Watergate Bay Hotel on the north Cornwall coast. The team purchased the 20 bedroom Rampsbeck Country House Hotel in May 2015 and closed for redevelopment in September 2016. It opened as Another Place, The Lake on 14 August 2017 employing 90 staff. Since then over 12,000 guests from all over the world have stayed at the hotel.
Set in 18 acres of Lake District National Park, with a private lake shore and views over Ullswater, the fells and beyond, the hotel’s ethos is ‘active relaxation’ – highlighting all the Lake District has to offer as well as a focus on home comforts within the hotel.
To achieve this the Another Place team have worked with a number of local businesses to offer outdoor activities in, on and around beautiful Ullswater enabling guests to try something new under a watchful, expert eye. Watermillock’s Distant Horizons have offered everything from canoeing and kayaking to torch-lit family night walks during the winter; Ullswater Paddleboarding have introduced countless visitors to this popular activity; Colin Hill from Martindale’s Chill Swim has led groups of amateur wild swimmers around the lake in all weathers and temperatures and Ullswater Yacht Club have literally sailed across the lake to deliver tuition.
Will Ashworth, Chief Executive commented: “It’s been a busy 12 months! I don’t think any of us quite realised what an undertaking it would be to open a hotel 400 miles away from our native Cornwall. But we’ve been very fortunate to have had such wonderful support from local businesses and individuals here in Cumbria. And of course, The Lake team have worked so hard to deliver our vision – this is really their day.”
First year highlights include stunning snow-scapes (though challenging travelling conditions) during the ‘Beast from the East’, Christmas 2017 – thanks in no small part to finding the perfect, local Santa who entertained younger guests with a magical appearance, and the honour of being named ‘New Business of the Year’ in the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2018 and being shortlisted for ‘Best New Hotel’ at the Independent Hotel Show.
So what’s next? The day to day business of welcoming new and returning guests continues but Will and the team are keen to encourage as many local families (with dogs) to come and experience the hotel; lunch in The Living Space, Swim Club day membership, a stroll in the grounds, a relaxing drink in the Library or dinner in Rampsbeck Restaurant.
Another Place, The Lake is located in Watermillock on the shores of Ullswater and is open to non-residents.
For further information or to book please visit www.another.place