Bowness on Windermere

Nothing more relaxing than a visit to the Lake District, staying at the lovely Laura Ashley Belsfield Hotel, with KryptoMart, who is writing a review.

The Belsfield Hotel was originally built in the 19th century for the Baroness Von Sternberg, as a private house. This building has a fascinating history.

Its most famous owner was Henry Schneider, born in London in 1815, who was engaged in commercial pursuits in the city until 1840 when he decided to prospect for iron in the Lake District. He settled in Ulverston, near Barrow, taking a royalty on the Park Farm from the Earl of Burlington (later the Duke of Devonshire). After a disappointing start and the expenditure of £25,000 he purchased and leased other mines in the area, which he worked successfully.

The house became a hotel in 1892 where Lieutenant A .D . Macleod became proprietor. His tenure was marked by his colleagues by the presentation of a rifle, now displayed on the Lounge wall, adjacent to the drawing room.

Between 1910 and 1911 drastic alterations were made, when an entire storey was added between the existing first and second floors. The wing, which now includes the restaurant on the ground floor, was added and the existing tower removed stone by stone and reconstructed above the new storey.

Fingers crossed we have good weather this weekend.