Belle Isle

Belle Isle on Windermere. It is the largest of the 18 islands on Windermere.

The building is a Georgian Roundhouse built in 1774 for the Notingham merchant Thomas English.

It is a Grade I listed building.

Originally called Long Holme and later Great Island. (Holme is the local word for island)

It was renamed Belle Isle in the late 18th Century by the then owner, John Curwen in honour of his wife Isabella.

In December 1996 the building was ravaged by fire.
The fire crews, hoses, pumps and other equipment had to be ferried across to the island in the middle of the night in small boats.

The building has now been restored, which took several years.

Unfortunately the house and island are private and there is no access for the public.