The Ellebye family – Lars, Theresia and their children David and Rachel, have been regular guests at Low Wood Bay for seven years. They love Christmas in the Lakes and have even brought executives from the pharmaceutical industry in Denmark over for a conference at The Low Wood Bay Hotel.
How did your connection to the Lake District start?
Lars and Theresia on the iconic Low Wood Bay Jetty
It all started on a skilift in Norway. We spend a week’s holiday near Lillehammer, and I found myself on the lift next to a gentleman from Cumbria and we got chatting. I suggested to the family that we make the Lake District our next holiday destination.
As the children were young at the time, we decided that we would stay in a hotel with a leisure centre, and then we found Low Wood Bay and it was love at first sight! Low Wood Bay has become our home away from home with its superb blend of luxury and a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. There is so much to do at the hotel, the rooms are very comfortable and you can enjoy a high tea in the lounge. Seven years later the leisure centre is still a ’must’ for us, we especially love the outdoor hot tub.
And Christmas at Low Wood Bay?
During our first stay we picked up the brochure for the Christmas package. At that time Theresia had been a parish vicar for 17 years, which meant that Christmas had always been a hectic time for her. But with grandparents passing away and family responsibilities diminishing we decided to try Christmas at Low Wood Bay. And it was a hit! We soon got acquainted with other guest as well as the staff. Several of the other guests have become very close friends and we’ve visited their homes and they’ve been to Denmark. And yes, the original ’Skilift Man’ and his family are also our very close friends now. In this way, making new friends and acquaintances has really made us feel like a part of the Low Wood Bay family.
Celebrating by the Christmas Tree at Low Wood Bay
What do you love about the Lake District?
The Lake District is like a holiday buffet, there is so much to choose from. The spectacular surroundings, pleasant towns, attractions like World of Beatrix Potter, the narrow gauge railway at Ravenglass and Eskdale, sailing on the Lakes, and close enough to travel over the border to Scotland easily.
Tell us about the Business connection
We own and run a pharmacy in Denmark with around 20 employees and I am part of a Pharmaceutical Guild in our region. Every two years we do a study tour together to experience health care in other countries. This has taken us to Spain, Ireland, Greenland, Japan and The United states.
Having learned from our fellow Christmas guests about the Phamacy Show at NEC in Birmingham, I suggested to my peers that we could go to the UK, attend the Show and hold a Conference around a series of lectures from NHS professionals.
We always aim for an outstanding conference venue and Low Wood Bay was the logical choice for me. Everything went perfectly from the rooms, the food, surroundings and standard of conference facilities. Having travelled extensively my peers have very exacting standards and were truly impressed with everything. I won’t be the least surprised when I learn that some of them have chosen Low Wood Bay for a holiday in the future.
Inspirational views for any conference at Low Wood Bay
We commenced our conference with a guest lecture from … you’ve guessed it … ‘Skilift Man’, by now a dear friend as well as an authority on the NHS and running a dental practice. There is a wind of change for pharmacies in Denmark and it was an interesting and insightful look at a system that could be our future.
And any last words?
Low Wood Bay is not like anywhere else in the world. We have stayed at some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, Adlon in Berlin, Vier Jahrezeiten in Hamburg, Raphael in Paris, Waldorf Astoria in New York, Sukhotai in Bangkok etc. All perfect places. We dare to say that Low Wood Bay is in that league – a combination of your outstanding surroundings and a team of employees that works with mind, heart and soul in perfect combination.
A stay in UK without at stay at Low Wood Bay would be unthinkable for us. Having spend more than 40 nights and 7 Christmas’ in a row is evidence of this. And where else can you meet Sam the Dog and see Father Christmas on water skis?
Meeting Sam the Dog, English Lakes Mascot
- Written by Lars Ellebye
