A Historic Lake District Hotel

Originally a 17^th century coaching inn, Lakeside Hotel has developed alongside the growing tourism industry in the Lake District.

When travel was a true adventure that could take days or weeks to even reach your destination, once you finally arrived at the Lakeside, you earned one of our unique luggage labels. It was a stamp on your travel diary of life; a testament to say, “I was there.”

Used as a staging post and resting place for travellers working in the thriving cotton trade of Lancashire and Yorkshire, guests stayed here en-route to local businesses such as the bobbin mills in the area.

Burst pipes during a winter freeze caused a devastating flood leading to temporary closure of the hotel. With help from Birketts Bakery (now known as Greggs) and family members, Mr Talbot – who had been the resident manager – purchased the hotel. Neville Talbot was incredibly passionate about service and standards, developing the hotel and spa over the next 35 years into the quality product you see today.

The main conservatory was added to the hotel allowing guests to take in the view all year round.

At the significant cost of £1.3M, the pool and spa area was created to bring more luxury to the Lakeside Hotel.

The hotel purchased what was then ‘Boaters Bar & Restaurant’ over the road. This was converted into what we now know as the ‘Windermere Suite’, a dedicated conference and events space.

The Lake District becomes the UK’s first national park to be awarded world heritage status.

Bought by the Classic Lodges group, the Lakeside has gone through and is continuing to go through some massive change and improvements.

The Lake District National Park has a huge drive to make the Lakes more accessible to all its visitors and as part of that, 2024 sees the opening of the Windermere Way footpath that crosses in front of the hotel, through the field and woodland towards the village of Finsthwaite.

Extensive refurbishments are happening throughout the hotel to bring the facilities up to modern standards and expectations. Now a ‘home from home’ for many local and international tourists, Lakeside Hotel still stands proudly on the shores of Lake Windermere.