Not all weddings need years of preparation. Gareth and Danielle orchestrated their beautiful, rustic and intimate wedding at The Wild Boar in just over two months. We are delighted to be able to share a little snapshot of their story. 

Dispensing Love

Gareth and I met at work in Arrowe Parke Hospital on the Wirral – we are both pharmacists. We had been together for about a year and a half when we started thinking about adding to our family. Gareth already had 2 fantastic children, Luke and Alyssa. 

Rugby Romance

In February 2012, Gareth, the kids and myself were in London. We had tickets to watch England play Wales at Twickenham. Gareth is a huge rugby fan. It was a beautiful crisp, fresh and sunny day. I thought something was up when Alyssa kept whispering to her dad, do you want me to give it to you yet? Then at half time, Alyssa rummaged around in her back pocket and handed Gareth something. He dropped on one knee in the stands, offered me the ring and asked me to marry him. I was mortified! I looked around to double check there was nothing on a big screen somewhere. Poor Gareth had to prompt me for an answer. Of course it was Yes!

And Then There were Five

Gareth, Danielle, Luke, Alyssa and Torin

Shortly after that our delight was compounded by finding out I was pregnant. Torin was born on 7th Dec, 2012 and wedding plans were put on hold indefinitely. In August 2017, after a few health scares, Gareth and I decided that the most important thing for us was to be married, surrounded by our family whilst we said our vows. We wanted to get it organised as quickly as possible and were hoping for October.

The Lake District – A Bit Like Home

We had celebrated a few special occasions in the Lake District, so it was an obvious choice for us. It’s a beautiful part of the country, and also reminds me a bit of the area I grew up – Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. 

With such short notice we knew it would have to be a week day. We were going to be a small party of around twenty people. I didn’t want to be lost in a big venue. It was important to us that the wedding and breakfast party was all in the same place. Whilst I was painstakingly going through a list of all the venues in the area, my sister-in-law emailed information about the Wild Boar. I had a look and thought, why keep looking – this is perfect? It ticked all the boxes for us, convenient location and a beautiful setting, with the tarn close by. The Inn itself, is intimate, romantic and steeped in history. I loved the quirky, old decor and interesting bits on display. It fitted in completely with the relaxed, rustic vibe we wanted for our venue.

Undermillbeck, perfect for small intimate gatherings

The menu looked fantastic, with a wide selection of rich, luxurious foods – wild boar and salmon cured on site in the smokehouse. A well-stocked bar and microbrewery sealed the deal for us. After three days of venue hunting we booked it!

Wild Boar Beer Bats, a popular choice at weddings

Short Notice – No Problem!

Jeanette our wedding planner was incredibly helpful and informative – she didn’t balk at the prospect of helping us organise things with such short notice and provided us with advice on lists of suppliers for the crucial bits…

Gemma Louise Hair and Makeup joined us early in the morning to do hair and makeup for bride, bridesmaid and Mother of the Bride. Calm and professional and Gemma a fantastic job without even having had trial first!

Katie at Made in Flowers, again managed to create fabulous bouquets, buttonholes and arrangements. Exactly how I’d hoped they’d look, based on a telephone conversation and a Pinterest board!

A friend of ours, Julie-Ann Bennett, made our cake as a gift to us.  I gave her some loose ideas along the rustic theme and she produced a beautiful and scrumptious cake, with a lemon drizzle layer (Gareth’s favourite) and a white chocolate and raspberry layer.

Alyssa, my stepdaughter, helped me make up the favours. I ordered the place cards from Rachel Emma Studio, These were hand made on lovely pieces of wood, with little bits of moss around the outside. We attached these to hessian bags which contained either Jameson’s Irish Whiskey or Flavoured Gin miniatures, and some love hearts. The children had alcohol free versions with sweets and bubbles of course!

A huge thank you to Tiree Dawson, our wonderful photographer, who captured all the magic and emotions of the day.

The Dress of My Dreams

My wedding dress was the thing people thought would be the most difficult task at short notice. Early September I made the trip to Marie Me Bridal Boutique in Randalstown Co. Antrim, owned by my sister-in-law’s sisters, Eilish and Fiona. They helped me choose the dress of my dreams. I chose a Watters design, Claude gown, which featured Tillie Chantilly Lace and hand-placed Freesia motifs.  It had an open, illusion back to add some drama and Freesia Lace cuffs for extra impact on the illusion tulle sleeves, finished off with a puddle train.  I loved every minute wearing it, I felt glamorous and elegant but also relaxed and comfortable.  I wanted shoes I would wear again and fell in love with a pair of Dune Daenerys in blue velvet.

Gareth and the boys also wanted to keep to the relaxed rustic theme and after a few trips settled on a variety of tweed jackets and chinos from Moss Bros and John Lewis.

Memorable Moment?

I’m not sure I could pick one moment that was the highlight for the day. It was all so much fun from start to finish, but I think the ceremony was lovely. I was so happy standing up with Gareth saying our vows (with help from Torin) and hearing the readings from Alyssa and my brother (A lovely love story by Edward Monkton, and An Apache Blessing).  The speeches were also great fun and included some interesting props!

Weddings at The Wild Boar

If you have a wedding to organise – whether it is next year, or next month – why not give Jeanette a call on 015394 45225 to discuss your plans for a romantic Wild Boar wedding. But in the meantime, from all of us here, a huge congratulations to Gareth and Danielle! 

May is National Walking Month, so time to get the walking boots out and take to the hills to blow away any cobwebs clinging from a long and extended period of hibernation. Low Wood Bay is perfectly placed for reaching some great routes and spectacular scenery. We’ve chosen five our of favourites to help you plan your ascent. (All of these can be found on OS Map: O/S 1.25,000 OL7 The English Lakes South East)

1. Loughrigg Fell

Loughrigg Fell | Lake District Fell Walks | Low Wood Bay Hotel

A circular walk with an easy approach to the climb through Ambleside’s Rothay Park. After an initial steep stretch to Lily Tarn – an excellent spot for a picnic lunch – the going is much more relaxed. Loughrigg Tarn is another lovely feature of this walk as is the gentle lakeside return beside Rydal Water.  All in all, a real Lakeland treat. In relative terms, it is not a particularly high fell, a fact that belies the spectacular views over Windermere, Coniston and Blencathra to the north.

2. Rydal Water

Rydal Water | Lake District Fell Walks | Low Wood Bay Hotel

A low level walk above Rydal Water and passing Rydal Caves which were created as a result of extensive slate mining in the area.  The quieter approach to Rydal is once again through Rothay Park, turning right and walking the back road until you cross Pelter Bridge onto the A591. Rydal is just 100 yards to the left of the bridge. (Alternatively, the 555 bus passing Low Wood Bay will drop you off in Rydal).It’s well worth stopping off at Rydal Mount, the last home of William Wordsworth. The gardens are beautifully kept and you will find Dora’s Field, the inspiration for his poem Daffodils.

Just past Rydal Mount, you will find a substantial track on the left, known locally as the Coffin Trail, originally linking Grasmere and Ambleside and the local Churches where the dead were laid to rest. There are slabs of flat stone periodically along the track, which enabled the coffin bearers to enjoy a well-earned rest and enjoy the panoramic views over Rydal Water.

3. High Sweden Bridge

High Sweden Bridge | Lake District Fell Walks | Low Wood Bay Hotel

Another circular walk starting in the village of Ambleside. Diverse landscape including small waterfalls, rushing rapids and two ancient packhorse bridges. Just beyond Ambleside you can spot ‘The Tower of Friendship and Beauty’ set in private grounds, a folly created and built by Henry Boyle a keen botanist and landscape gardener.  It has the names of many famous visitors, including the Wordsworth’s, carved into the brickwork. At the halfway point you will reach High Sweden Bridge, a lovely spot to stop for lunch and dip your toes in Scandale Beck.

4. Red Screes

Red Screes | Lake District Fell Walks | Low Wood Bay Hotel

A more challenging route, starting in the Scandale Valley as in the previous Sweden Bridge walk.  The summit of Red Screes sits lofty and distinct and can be reached easily by a fairly steep ascent to the South East. On a clear day the views from the summit are stunning panoramic  –  Ambleside and along the length of Windermere to the south; Hartsop and the waters of Brothers Water and Ullswater to the north; the great peaks of the Central and Eastern fells to the west and east.

5. The Lion and the Lamb (Helm Crag)

We’ve snuck this one in as it is such an iconic route although, technically, the walk starts from Grasmere. However, the six miles from Low Wood Bay to Grasmere will take just 25 minutes on the regular 555 bus route if you don’t fancy striding it out.

Helm Crag | Lake District Fell Walks | Low Wood Bay Hotel

For many walkers this is their earliest childhood memory of the Lake District Fells.   The rocks of the summit area have various names: the southeast pinnacles as seen from Grasmere are “The Lion and Lamb”. At the other end of the ridge is “The Howitzer” or “The Old Lady Playing the Organ” and is regarded as the 20 foot slab requires some careful climbing and is in an exposed position over a 1,000 foot drop – even Wainwright himself did not get to the top!

Now You Deserve This!

Walking in the hills leaves you with a healthy glow and a hearty appetite that the Chefs at Low Wood Bay really understand. Choose a table at either Blue Smoke on the Bay, serving international dishes from our open grill, or The Windermere restaurant for a selection of British and European dishes, all with a Low Wood Bay twist. Food that guaranteed to hit the spot as a post hike feast!

Chef cooks up a feast over our open grill at Blue Smoke on the Bay

Our Concierge, Lynda, was in conversation with a couple visiting from Australia. The story that Mario and Natalie Apap shared was fascinating, unexpected and a vital link in the history of Low Wood Bay.

Mario and Natalie Apap on their visit to Low Wood Bay

In his book, A Sunlit, Intimate Gift… Three Hundred Years of Lakeland History, Michael Berry, our previous Chairman and Managing Director, mentions the Kenyon family. Richard and Bessie Kenyon held the lease on Low Wood from 1944 to 1952 before it passed to the current family ownership. Richard and Bessie were none other than the grandparents of Natalie Apap who had been asked by her father to make a nostalgic visit to the hotel on his behalf. 

Low Wood Bay in the ’40s when the Kenyon family were proprietors

Natalie’s father, Ian, spent eight happy years of his childhood living at Low Wood. Although Ian is now quite unwell and unable to travel, he was very keen that his daughter and son-in-law should visit the hotel which was so influential in his life and the place that brought him much joy and freedom during the majority of his childhood. 

Ian in a school production

Ian specifically asked Natalie to find out about ‘the dog’. Apparently, the dog at Low Wood was always called Rex and when one Rex died another one arrived. Indeed, Ian has photographs of himself and Rex at Low Wood. The Berry family did carry on the tradition of having a canine companion at Low Wood, but named him Sam. To this day, Sam the dog is our company mascot and it is Sam that welcomes our younger guests to the hotels.  

Ian with Rex the dog outside Low Wood Bay

Ian spent his holidays riding on his bike from the hotel where they lived on site. Richard Kenyon enjoyed photography and took many reels of cine film which shows Ian on and around the lake

Another memory is of the dining room at Low Wood. There was a very large wooden dresser which filled one wall and held all the crockery. The shelving was so heavy that the joists in the cellar below had to be reinforced to prevent it from falling through the floor.

Mario & Natalie said they had a fabulous time visiting the Low Wood and took lots of photographs back for Ian. We also gifted them a Sam the dog as a little memento of their visit.  

Over the years we have welcomed many interesting guests and one or two celebrities too. Before our time, William Wordsworth, John Ruskin, John Constable and J. M. W. Turner were known to be patrons of the hotel.

Joan Collins stayed at Low Wood Bay whilst filming thriller The Pike

Film stars Joan Collins and Tom Cruise stopped by, as did Judith Chalmers, Chris Tarrant, Shakin’ Stevens and, recently, Sir Terry Waite. We love to welcome our guests, celebrity or otherwise and are always interested in their story.

How Things Change

If Ian were able to see the new Atrium I’m sure he would agree that Low Wood Bay is now unrecognisable. Much may have changed, however, the stunning view remains untouched. 

We now have two restaurants, including The Windermere and our newest Blue Smoke on the Bay as well as our new Atrium lounge open to all. In spring 2018 our fabulous new facility, The Spa at Low Wood Bay will open.

You know you are proud of a dining experience when you are making a list in your head of all the people you can’t wait to invite for dinner.

That’s how we feel about Blue Smoke on the Bay. Simply great food, elegant surroundings with a warm and friendly atmosphere. There’s so much to celebrate here. During daylight hours the stunning view over Windermere and the Lakeland hills grab the limelight. However, after the sun has set, the star of the show really stands out and takes centre stage – the 3 metre long double wood-fired grill. This is where the real theatre takes place. 

Cooking on Wood

Cooking on wood is an ancient method of creating tasty no-nonsense food. There seems to be excitement on a global scale about re-discovering the delicious flavours that can be added to steaks, meats, fish and vegetables by using different types of sustainable woods. Getting the flavour and texture right relies very much on the science behind choosing the correct wood for the job. We met Stephen Talbot, Sales Director of Logs Direct, who shared a little bit about what is required for great wood-fired dishes.

Tell us about Logs Direct 

We have come a long way from a company supplying fuel for wood-burning stoves locally to a nationwide supplier with a wide range of products.  In 2007 we were approached by a representative on behalf of a celebrity chef to source the best wood for pizza ovens for use in cities and towns across the UK. Today we supply logs to over 1,000 pubs and restaurants the length and breadth of the country.  

Your Tree of Choice? 

Over time and with lots of research we worked out the best wood with the perfect density, correct combustion, burn time, heat output and moisture content. Our aim was to achieve a result as near to smoke-free as possible with flavours that add significantly to the taste of the food. Top of the list, our recommended wood is Alder.

Alder has the best heat output and chefs have commented that it is faster than gas. Many  have been amazed by the difference the correct wood can make to their cooking process. The low moisture content allows them to control and maintain the heat in their oven or grill with more precision. They are also delighted at having no spitting and smoking and they require far fewer logs than those that have not been through the kiln-drying process.

Importantly, Alder is the fastest growing hardwood. It takes only twenty years to reach maturity compared to the one hundred and fifty of the mighty oak. This makes environmental sense on a large scale. We source as much wood as we can locally from well-managed woodlands, where trees are grown in a sustainable way. 

Kiln-Dried British Wood

We do also supply oak to Blue Smoke on the Bay adding a different flavour. We have an Ariterm BioComp 200, 1.5-tonne boiler with integral 2-tonne kiln unit, designed and built by experts in Sweden and about ten times more powerful than a domestic boiler.  This unit allows us to successfully dry our own British-sourced wood, which some customers prefer. British-sourced hardwood is difficult to find, so this gives us another string to our bow. 

GOSLING’S RUM, CHILLI AND MUSCOVADO SUGAR CURED HOT, WOOD SMOKED SALMON

Just one of the dishes on the menu at Blue Smoke on the Lake 

Book a Festive Lunch

Blue Smoke on the Bay take Festive Lunch to a new wood-cooked level. It’s a great opportunity to come along experience our superb new menu and meet  the team. Book a table by calling 015394 33338.  

Opening Times:

Lunch: 12.00pm – 2.30pm | Dinner: 6.30pm – 10.00pm

We caught up with Low Wood Bay Artist in Residence, Shawn Williamson, who is creating a sculpture trail at Low Wood Bay. He is currently working on one of his most challenging pieces, a sculpture of our former Chairman and Managing Director, Michael Berry, and his faithful friend Sam the dog.

Whilst chiselling out the rock taken from Low Wood Bay excavations during the development of the hotel, we managed to pose a few questions to this incredible local artist. 

How did you first discover you had a passion for stone and an artistic ability to sculpt?

It was one of those strange things that I changed from woodwork to pottery at school because I liked to make figurines in clay. It developed from there. I think with me being left handed I was heavily creative and I was also good at doing things backward for some peculiar reason. I prefer to take material away rather than building it up. Although I can build it up, but I prefer to take it.

Can you tell us a little bit about what it was like to learn from the great Josefina de Vasconcellos?

The young martyr sculpture by Josefina de Vasconcellos

It was fantastic. She was a mentor as much as anything. I remember that she set me a task on one occasion to test me, and that was to go shopping for her in Ambleside. But there was a twist to that. It was snowing and she had some 1970s ski pants with some feminine-type decorations on them and she wanted me to put them on. I said that I really didn’t want to and she said, “Oh I see, so you are scared of the villagers are you. Scared of what they might think? Well, this is your first lesson”. So I had to put them on and go shopping in them. Most of the villagers didn’t notice, but one guy said, “Nice pants son!” which nearly killed me.

What has been your most challenging piece of your career?

Well, the piece I am working on is very challenging. This is the direct portraiture of the great Michael Berry, whom I knew. It is not usually undertaken in this site-specific way, directly into an irregular block of stone. It is direct sculpture into stone itself, so we are into the realms, or the lower realms, of Michael Angelo. So this is one of the biggest challenges I think. Also, the Herdwick ram at Cockermouth which is just huge, 19 tons. That was a huge physical challenge.

What happens if you make a mistake – is it easy to rectify?

You always leave enough material to compensate for mistakes. Like I said about working backwards, you always leave enough stone available.

Do you have a favourite Low Wood Bay sculpture so far?

 So far, I think the one of Michael Berry and Sam is going to be the best one. I like working three dimensionally and some of the boulders are only part-3 dimensional. One of the tasks is the Lamb of God sculpture at Gordon Greaves Slate, and I think that will be my favourite. 

You say each piece of stone has its own character, is it possible to describe the character of the one that you are currently working on?

Well, challenging! But also it is very consistently hard stone, so it is the best boulder of the lot really, but it is very hard. All the boulders are re-claimed and came from the excavation and development of the site. Some of the Low Wood maintenance team and myself sited the boulders and it is fair to say that this was probably the most challenging.  

You knew Michael Berry, do you get a sense of his character when you are creating his image on stone? And Sam’s character of course?!

I knew Sam rather well. Michael used to say ‘he might nip you’ and quite often he did, but hopefully it was a friendly nip. I used to go and spend time in Michael’s library and we’d have a few whiskies and put the world to rights. The next day he would have a task for me, sometimes a bit of scything or whatever.  

Is sculpting from a photograph of Michael and Sam the dog more difficult than creating your own image?

Yes, it is a lot more testing because we’ve got a two-dimensional image that I’m trying to make look 3D. So working with light, shadow and impression. So it is a challenge. Hopefully very soon I will have it going in the direction I’m aiming for as I add the detail.

Creating a Legacy of Art at Low Wood Bay

Please come and say hello to Shawn if you see him at work around Low Wood Bay creating an sculpture trail that will be enjoyed by guests and visitors for many years and generations to come. 

The Lake District is now a World Heritage site inscribed under the cultural landscape category. The spectacular landscape is well known to have inspired poets and artists of the romantic movement. Even, earlier than that, however, the Lake District had a proud sporting heritage which is celebrated every year at the various country shows. English Lakes has a long, fruitful and continuing association with Ambleside Sports, held each year in July – a great day out for all the family.

Ambleside Sports

As early as 1946, the then Manager of Low Wood Bay became President and in 1979 our previous Chairman and Managing Director, Michael Berry, took the role and became a stalwart contributor, helping to make the event the tour de force it is today.

Early Days

There are reports of sporting events at Low Wood Bay from as early as the 17th century, with mentions of regattas, wrestling competitions and, unacceptable now of course, cock fighting and bare fist boxing. However, it wasn’t until Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee in 1886 that the now named, Ambleside Sports, came into being. It was a glorious celebration and one that the locals intended to repeat.

A local publication recorded,

“It is a long time since any of this class of sports were held at Ambleside, but having broken the ice, as it were, it is the intention, so I hear, of those gentlemen who took the
initiative in the above, to try to make them annual”

New Name, New Venue

The principles of sponsorship were quickly established and prizes were donated from the local tradesmen and “a sum of money from the gentry.” The Boer and Great Wars affected the succession of the event but post WWII, it had a new name, Ambleside Hound Trail Sport, and a new setting in Rydal Park where the Sports are held today.

In 1946 The Westmorland Gazette records,

“It is an ideal place with its sylvan slopes and natural grandstand”

The Sports first AGM was held at Low Wood Hotel in 1946 when the Manager nominated as President. It is an association that has been maintained to the current day. Over the years, extracts from the minutes interest and amuse. In 1972 it was noted,

Complaints re toilets – MORE REQUIRED!!

Obviously, they were people of action as the 1973 minutes record,

Hurrah! New wooden toilets with a deeper trench were satisfactorily in use all day.

English Lakes continued the strong association with the sports, our former Chairman and Managing Director becoming President in 1979. Michael Berry had been attending the event since the 1950s whilst on family holidays and continued his annual attendance when he relocated to the area in 1972. Jak Hirst, current Ambleside Sports Chairman remembers,

Michael was very good at ‘moving and shaking’ people. It was his initiative that brought about the Life Membership Scheme following an extremely wet and financially disastrous year for the sports. This scheme saved us from financial ruin. In 1994, Michael invited Sebastian Coe to come and open the sports attracting a lot of people who might not otherwise have thought of coming along.

Things have changed little over the years – admittedly the prize money is different, running shoes have probably improved, competitors now come from as far afield as Australia and 1998 saw the first female wrestler – but in essence Ambleside Sports remains a celebration of local traditional Sports, notably Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, Hound Trailing and ‘Guides’ Fell Racing.

Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling

Featuring the traditional ‘back hold’, to defeat your adversary you must break the hold on land your opponent on the ground. If there is no winner, the round is declared a ‘dog fall’ and the competitors begin again.

Hound Trailing

The ‘Cry of the Hounds’, introduced by Michael Berry, is relayed across the field and heralds the opening address of the sport’s President each year.

Hound trailing has its origin in the farming community and is a race between competing hounds from a prescribed start (the slip) following a laid trail (10 miles for senior hounds, 5 miles for puppies) back to the finish line. The route is defined by dragging the ground with a rag soaked in a mixture of aniseed, oil and parafin prescribed by HTA rules. As the hounds bound towards the finish line they are eagerly awaited by owners and bookies and greeted by a cacophony of barking, shouts and whistles.

‘Guides’ Fell Race

‘Fleet of foot and of good stamina’ is required to cover the course across fields, walls, streams and other rough terrain of a fell. The name ‘guides’ comes from 18th century tourists who called upon local fellsmen to guide them over mountain areas. One theory for the origin of the ‘Guides Race’ is that in their spare time the guides held competitions amongst themselves racing to the top of the nearest hill and back. There’s always been great rivalry and camaraderie among the competitors and many lifelong friendships were forged as a result.

Visit Ambleside Sports

Ambleside Sports has survived war, fire, foot and mouth disease, weather and, one year, the discovery that they had no string for the finish line! It is one of the ‘highlights of the Lakeland summer’. 

Waterhead hotel and Low Wood Bay are just a short drive away from the Showground and an ideal stopping off point.

There is much of interest for visitors to The Lake District from outdoor pursuits, gastronomic delights, music and the arts and traditional Lakeland Sports. If you enjoy history, there are two exhibitions that explain how the local area was transformed to bolster the war effort and subsequently, to welcome survivors of the holocaust for much needed rest and recuperation.

The waters of Windermere formed an important part of English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues early history, with the founding member of the company, Norman Buckley, a contemporary and friend of Donald Campbell, securing a total of seven world speed records on the lake.

Just a few years prior to Norman’s first record attempt, the same waters and adjoining lake shore played a vital part in serving Britain through WWII.

‘The Flying Boats of Windermere’ and ‘From Auschwitz to Ambleside’ are two local exhibitions, at Windermere Library, which give poignant glimpses of life in the Lake District during the course of WWII and the immediate aftermath. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

The Flying Boats of Windermere

Few people in Windermere recognise the name Calgarth these days, but the name is synonymous with a fascinating piece of war time Lakeland history and an important reminder of the role that many of our residents played in securing the safety of our nation. Although there is now very little physical trace of Calgarth Estate, in 1941 it was an extensive village that sprang up to house the workers and their families at Short Brother’s factory, manufacturing the Sunderland Flying Boat.

The Flying Boat factory workers

Eustace, Oswald and Horace Short headed up the UK’s leading aircraft manufacture from 1908. They developed the Sunderland Flying Boat which went on to be used by Coastal Command during the North Atlantic Campaign to protect convoys carrying vital supplies to Britain, and to hunt German U-Boats.

Flying Boat Factory

Clearly this didn’t go down well with the opposition at the time and German bombers began targeting the main manufacturing base. A more secure location was required with a large expanse of water from which the Sunderlands could take off. Windermere fitted the bill and within eighteen months, the newly formed workspace became the largest single span hangar in Europe, large enough to build three Sunderlands at any one time.

Calgarth Estate grew and flourished around the factory with two shops, a canteen, assembly hall, club house, laundry, sick bay, policeman and football team. At the peak of production, the factory employed 1,571 people, just under half being local workers. The workers called their simple, modern houses ‘Shorts Palaces’.

Celebrating May Queen, Calgarth

After the war many of the workers moved to find alternative employment, although many of their families stayed due to a national housing shortage.

In 1945 the people of Windermere opened their hearts to some very special visitors, and Calgarth became an important UK landmark directly connected to the Holocaust.

From Auschwitz to Ambleside

A deeply moving display, including black and white video, sound recordings and photographs that tell the story of 300 orphans, mainly boys, who travelled from Eastern Europe to the Lake District in the summer of 1945. This was not like any ‘holiday’ we would know however. Each of these young people, most in their early teens, had survived the trauma of the Holocaust, and Calgarth Estate was to be a place of respite and recovery, if that was ever to be possible.

The beauty and tranquillity of The Lake District in some small way seemed to reach the children at the start of their recuperation process. Bicycles were made available and the children rode through the countryside, played football, enjoyed trips to the cinema, and slept in the comfort of a bed for the first time in years.

Jack Aisenberg, one of the survivors, described it in the following terms,

“I came from Hell to Paradise”

Many of ‘The Windermere Boys’, as they came to be called, remained in the North West of England marrying local girls, some founding successful businesses and becoming fully involved in community life.

The exhibition was researched and compiled by Cumbria-based ­artist Trevor Avery who visited Auschwitz and other death camps to piece together the moving tale. He said,

“The story is ultimately an uplifting one of survival and ­compassion and shows the ­crucial role played by Cumbria and its people in the recuperation of the Jewish children. The Lake District should be very proud of this legacy”.

Exhibition Opening Times

You can find the exhibition on the First Floor of Windermere Library and it is accessible by a stairway or lift. Entrance to the exhibition is free.

The exhibition opening times are:

Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm

Saturday 10 am – 1 pm

The local exhibitions are just one of the many day-time attractions that visitors to the area can enjoy. Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa overlooks the lake that played such an integral part of Lakeland’s WWII endeavours.

In Daniel Defoe’s 1722 ‘A Tour Through the Whole Island of Great Britain’, he described the hills of The Lake District as “high and formidable” and went on to say that the area was “all barren and wild, of no use or advantage either to man or beast”.

A portrait of Daniel Defoe

We’ve come a long way since then …

The early 19th Century poets saw things very differently and it was William Wordsworth that described the mountains as “towering above each other, or lifting themselves in ridges like the waves of a tumultuous sea, and in the beauty and variety of their surfaces and colours, they are surpassed by none”.

Lake District Mountains

He went on to say that the Lake District was

“A sort of national property in which every man has a right and interest who has an eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy” 

In case we take National Park status for granted, here’s a little timeline of how

1884:

James Bryce MP proposed the first Freedom to Roam Bill.  It failed to be adopted, sparked a 100 year campaign by the Ramblers’ Association to give the general public the right to access public and privately owned land for recreation and exercise.   

Early 1900s:

As a response to the effects of industrialisation in the towns and cities, there was a growing appreciation of the great outdoors and the benefit of exercise. This led to conflict between public interest groups and landowners, many of whom strongly defended their property rights.

Industrial revolution factories

1932:

A protest organised by the Young Communist League of Manchester rallied a group of ramblers to trespass Kinder Scout in Derbyshire. There were scuffles with gamekeepers and five of the protagonists were jailed and served jail sentences. Later, this was claimed to be the most effective act of civil disobedience in UK history.

Leisure activity enthusiasts and nature conservationists lobby government to put in place measures to protect the landscape and allow greater access to the countryside.

An article on the Kinder Scout TrespassPhoto Credit: http://kindertrespass.com

1949:

The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act created.

The Act provided the framework for the creation of National Parks and gave public rights of way and access to open land.

Minister for Town and Country Planning, Lewis Silken, said it was ‘the most exciting Act of Post-war parliament.

1950:

Starting with the Peak District in 1951, the first 10 national parks were designated. In the next ten years the Lake District, Snowdonia, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland and Brecon Beacons National Parks have been established.

Collage of national park signsPhoto credits: discoverbritainmag.com, gandljdean.co.uk, kateandtoms.com, stagsheadbowness.co.uk

1977:

Council for National Parks established – a charity which continues to campaign for protection and enhancements of National Park.

National Park Authority Logo

2000s:

Four further national parks established – Loch Lomond & Trossachs, Cairngorms, New Forrest and South Downs.

National Park MapPhoto Credit: nationalparksuk

July 2017:

The Lake District becomes the UK’s first national park to be subscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We are the lakes logo

The Lake District is an evolving landscape that has changed over time and will continue to do so. Improving landscape biodiversity and looking after our cultural heritage underpin the Partnership’s management plan which sets out how, together, we will look after the National Park as a World Heritage Site for everyone to enjoy

English Lakes Hotels, Resorts and Venues will continue to celebrate the hard fought-for freedom to roam our beautiful Lake District landscape. We offer a warm welcome to visitors from near and far at our Lake District Hotels.

Lake District Hotels Collage

English Lakes Service Awards – An Opportunity to say Thank You!

On 14th June 1997, our previous Managing Director, Michael Berry, was awarded the O.B.E. for services to training and tourism in Cumbria. Twentyyears later, English Lakes strives to continue that legacy of training within the industry.

Michael Berry, previous English Lakes Managing Director

An important part of recognising the achievements of our employees is our quarterly Service Awards Lunches, attended by the entire Board of Directors. This is an opportunity to say thank you to team members for their previous twelve months service, and to present English Lakes vouchers and other significant +1 awards for service that goes above and beyond expectations.

The most recent Service Award Lunch was held at The Midland, and we’ve shared a few of the photos and comments from the event below.

 Ben Berry, grandson of the late Michael Berry, commented

It is a privilege to attend the Service Award lunches and to sit alongside fellow team members that make English Lakes what it is today. There are many many years experience in the tourism and hospitality industry represented at these events, not to mention the skill, loyalty, dedication, and good humour.
Ben Berry

Andy Lemm, General Manager Lancaster House, acknowledged for 22 years service in the company.
Simon Berry, CEO, thanking Andy Lemm for 22 years service

The Service Awards lunches are something that I am very proud to attend and have only missed one out of the twenty-two I have been invited to. For myself, and for the team, it simply highlights each individual’s commitment to their role and to the business.  The recognition is something that shows the company’s appreciation of the team member’s hard work over the previous 12 months. Andy Lemm


L to R: Paul Bell, Simon Berry and Daniel Fox

Service Awards lunches are a great way to hear about what else is going on around the company, catching up with colleagues from other hotels and enjoying a beautiful meal together. Dan Fox

Our +1 awards are given for service that goes above and beyond expectations. A silver +1 award marks the achievement of 10 +1 Awards.


L to R: Karla Valenta, Janette Berry, Simon Berry, Stephan Constantin and Jamie Walker

The Awards Lunch is a great way to recognise staff achievement and their contribution to the +1 way of working. It’s also an ideal opportunity to meet with the Directors and staff from other hotels. (Plus, the food is always amazing!!) Karla Valenta

Talking about food … here is the menu that they enjoyed at the Awards Lunch.

Smoked duck 
Orange and walnut salad

Burrata 
Char grilled sour dough cherry vine tomato and basil gel

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Slow cooked pork 
Boulangere potatoes, caramelised apple greens and cider sauce 

Celeriac and cumin roast carrot pastia 
Saute globe artichoke, baby carrots, baby leeks and chervil oil    

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Mango delice 
Pineapple and chilli dressing, lime cream 


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L to R: Nevil Jeffery, Gemma Jeffery, Simon Berry, Debbie Oliver, Gavin Graham and Paul Brown

Awards Lunches are a great way to reward the staff and make each one feel appreciated. The awards lunches also enable staff members to experience the other hotels and meet colleagues within the company. Nevil Jeffery

It is great to get together and see colleagues and to be rewarded with a celebration for service. The voucher scheme also allows staff to treat themselves throughout the year which is an extra reward in itself. Gemma Jeffery

The lunches are a great ‘thank you’ from the directors and are motivating. Its lovely to be thanked and rewarded in this way. Debbie Oliver

Employment Opportunities at English Lakes

We are always keen to hear from people who would like to join our teams across the family of hotels. With the new Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa comes new opportunities, and we are looking to recruit fun, friendly and inspiring individuals to join a team who love what we do.

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