An early birthday treat from my other half was a night away in the secluded Haweswater Hotel, located on the banks of one of The Lake Districts lesser known lakes. We had stayed here previously a couple of years earlier and since then a few more rooms have been refurbished in a 1930s art deco style, in keeping with the hotels history having being built by The Manchester Water Corporation in 1937. Back then the Haweswater Reservoir had been created by flooding the Mardale Valley, it’s villages and farms forever condemned to a watery grave. A picture of the former Dun Bull Inn has pride of place above the fire place in the reception/entrance hall.
It was about 3pm when we rocked up to our home for the night, enough time to take Hugo for a short walk along the lake side road. It felt bitterly cold, there was a smattering of snow on the fells. We couldn’t wait to get toasty inside.
Bad news greeted us. The heating wasn’t working! Thank goodness all the fires were lit downstairs and the hotel had raided the local B &Q in Penrith for plug in heaters for the bedrooms. We would have to make the best of it…
Fortunately our room ( Wainwright) seemed to warm up ok with the plug in heater provided. And there was still hot water. Phew! Our room was actually a lake view suite with a cosy sitting area. Quite bijou but totally fine for us and the dog. I certainly loved the decor. š
The thought of a roaring fire enticed us back downstairs. The guest lounge with its huge sofas and twinkly lights was certainly very inviting.
Dogs are allowed to accompany guests into the lounge and bar but not the formal dining room, so we took our evening meal in the bar and enjoyed breakfast there the following morning. The food and service was excellent. My sticky toffee pudding was to die for. š Hugo was given some treats by the friendly staff.
My only disappointment was not catching a glimpse of the native red squirrels that visit the garden and bird feeders outside. Squirrel food can be obtained at the bar and on our previous visit we were lucky enough to see one of the little fellas.
Despite the heating problems we enjoyed a lovely stay at The Haweswater Hotel. The staff are so friendly and accommodating. I would definitely visit again in the future.
The hotel and location look lovely, the sort of place I would only go to in summer though. A shame about the heating not working but at least they provided a heater for the room. Is the cream on top of the cake real or just a decoration? If it’s real then I’m afraid one blob wouldn’t be enough for me š¦ The breakfast looks good though and it’s great that they accept dogs; I’m glad you enjoyed your birthday treat š
It was real cream on the sticky toffee pud. Loved the fruit on the top too. I did enjoy my birthday treat, thanks Eunice. Xx
Love those English breakfasts šš
They are to die for. Still gotta love Canadian pancakes with maple syrup too. X
The sticky toffee pud looks good. Could do with one of them now!!
It was very tasty indeed!
Thank goodness for the fireplace! Looks like such a cozy hotel. The food looks delicious.
It’s a lovely hotel….I was very glad for the fires though. š
I really must get around to visiting Mardale – and the hotel too as it looks like the architecture is interesting – I rather like Art Deco
Haweswater is a nature reserve owned by United utilities and helped run by the RSPB and there’s definitely plenty of walks. You can Bob into the hotel just for food or drink as well. š
Have you read Sarah Hallās novel Haweswater based around the construction of the reservoir?
No I haven’t, and I really should as I have read two of her other novels. Is it any good?
Well, always a matter of opinion, but I enjoyed it (although wasnāt so keen on one plot line). Its a fictionalised version of the story, taking a few liberties with the timeline.
Looks lovely. I love art deco.
The interior is really in keeping with the place. X
I love Haweswater we visit a lot, there is lots of lovely walks in the area. I have never been to the hotel but have heard it is very good. I had to laugh when you said that it was a lesser known lake. Last summer was very dry and when that happens you can start to see signs of the village that was flooded as the water recedes. We took my parents to show them one weekend when they came to stay and the traffic was unbelievable. There must have been about 200 cars trying to get up down the dead end road, with about 150 of them parked on the roadside, it was gridlock!
Glad you enjoyed your visit to Haweswater.
Ah yes, when it was on the national news it did get plenty of visitors, a good boost to the area I think. I didn’t get chance to see the village, wish I had. I’m sure it will reappear once again….x
Looks lovely – glad you werenāt too cold! I see Hugo knows how to pick a good spot by the fire.
He always picks the best spots. š
It looks a wonderful hotel for a special treat. Such a shame about the heating but a good thing they had lots of fires and heaters to keep everyone warm:)
Beautiful photos. This looks like a wonderful place to spend a night or two. One day I am going to make it to the Lake District!!
And one day I will get to the peak District. š X
What a lovely place! It looks so cosy and in such a gorgeous location.
It is a lovely old hotel. So peaceful there. X