The Lake District in north-western England is a place of great natural beauty and abundant in history. While Bassenthwaite Lake is the only body of water in the district actually classified as a lake, there are several others known as tarns and waters including Windermere which is the largest in the area. Majestic mountain peaks and dense forests surround the lake, tarns, and waters creating an amazing setting for outdoor activities of all types. Historically, the Lake District was the well-known haunt of literary greats and poets like John Ruskin and William Wordsworth, and many cultural events and venues pay tribute to their work. With its many attractions and stunning scenery, it is no wonder the area is fast becoming the main destination for weekend holidays.

Enjoying Outdoor Pleasures in The Lake District

 
The pristine, lovely lakes beckon visitors to hire a boat and explore the waterways. The Coniston Boating Centre in the Lake District National Park provides visitors with a variety of water recreation activities as well as biking trails for land adventures. Water craft of all types including motor boats, sail boats  and canoes peacefully troll the waters at Coniston. The boating centre offers safety instruction with all equipment hires to ensure guests have a safe and memorable time on the Coniston waters. Water recreation activities continue at Windermere which extends for 10 miles and contains several small islets. Fishermen especially enjoy the fact that Windermere has a great abundance of trout, pike, and perch.

The forests surrounding the lakes have not been forgotten by Lake District tourist attraction operators. An outfit called Tree Top Trek at Windermere presents visitors with aerial physical challenges sure to send one’s heart racing. Visitors race through the trees on ziplines and test their balance and nerves on Tree Top Trek’s specially crafted rope obstacle courses. Tree Top Trek outdoor adventures is great fun for family groups, company parties, and couples.

One of the best ways to tour the quaint villages and engaging countryside around the lakes is by bike. Motorists share the road with bikes, and visitors stop whenever they desire to visit an eye-catching attraction. The clean air and exercise gained from biking the countryside surrounding the Lake District is the perfect weekend tonic for lethargic, weekday office workers. Motor cycles are also available for hire at the Lakes Escape which provides all-inclusive motor cycle tour packages to popular area attractions.

Other Distinctive Cultural Attractions Of The Lake District

 
The Lake District is home to a very unique museum featuring some of the world’s most exquisite collection of miniatures. The miniature museum is a must see for doll house collectors, artists, and anyone else fascinated by the details of these pint-sized works of art. Their collection includes 1/12 scale versions of antique living room, dining room, and other furniture pieces. Miniature paintings, embroidery, and musical instruments are also on display at the Miniature Museum. The level of detail is astounding, and the museum is sure to impress all who walk through its doors.

John Ruskin was a famed author, social activist, and later philanthropist of the Lake District. His late secretary started a museum in the area in his honour in the early 1900s, and one has been in operation in the Lake District ever since. This museum features some of Ruskin’s early handwritten transcripts and surprisingly skilful childhood paintings. Although John Ruskin’s later years were reportedly marred by mental illness, his ideals of social justice remained a guiding point for his peers and contemporaries. The talented man raised amongst the British élite advocated for universal education and better housing for all.

One collectible of John Ruskin somehow did not make it to the Ruskin Museum; his row-boat named “Jumping Jenny” is on display at its namesake the Jumping Jenny Tea Rooms. Jumping Jenny is a great place to relax while taking in afternoon tea or grabbing a quick cup of coffee. Their nutritious, palate tempting meals made from fresh, local produce is particularly noteworthy as well.

Why not treat yourself to a Lakes Escape this Spring or Summer and enjoy everything the Lake District has to offer….

The Beech Hill Hotel overlooking Lake Windermere with its beautiful views, is one of the Lake Districts most distinctive hotels.  Have planned a number of special events throughout 2013 to entertain and delight our guests.

With the exception of January, The Beech Hill has a busy calendar of special events for your pleasure, from Valentines and Guy Fawkes Night to Wedding Fayres and Gourmet Nights.

Try our Champagne and Strawberries Evening where we celebrate the start of the great British summer with an extravaganza of Champagne and strawberries, including a specially selected Champagne for each course of your meal.

Or how about our Summer Ball? Enjoy a Champagne Cocktail on the terrace, a delicious four course dinner full of fantastic Cumbrian summer fayre, followed by dancing until midnight to the loud salsa party tunes of The La Tinto Bros from South America.

On Fridays and Saturdays throughout December we have a series of Las Vegas and Hollywood party nights or you can try your luck at our special Charity Party Night, raising funds for the British Heart Foundation.

At the heart of each event is our stunning food. Mouth-watering masterpieces of English and French cuisine produced under the stewardship of Head Chef Chris Davies to AA Rosette standard, all using the finest produce our beautiful county has to offer.

Our range of attractive event and accommodation packages are available throughout the year and will give you a weekend to remember in the heart of the beautiful Lake District.

For further details click on the Special Events tab , call 0844 502 7587  or  take a look at our  Special Events Video

Fraser Richardson

Managing Director

Beech Hill Hotel Limited

We decided that pictures alone don’t do justice to our 4 Star Hotel on the eastern shores of  Windermere. So to go that extra mile to give you the next best thing to being here we commissioned LakesCreative.tv to produce a two minute HD video of our hotel. So if you have a couple of minutes why not take a look. Click on the following link to view:

HD Video of Beech Hill Hotel

The Beech Hill Hotel, where stunning views, superb food and careful consideration for your every comfort combine to define what is the lake district’s most distinctive 4 Star hotel.

Here, on the shores of one of the Lake District’s most beautiful locations, you’re free to indulge yourself in the welcoming warmth of our homely and comfortable hotel. Relax, take time out, give yourself over to our friendly and helpful team…be looked after in the way you’d choose to be looked after.

I hope you enjoy watching and I would welcome any comments/feedback about our video you would care to make. Thank you for reading and watching!

Fraser Richardson

Managing Director

Beech Hill Hotel Limited

I know it’s the Lake District, but believe it or not we can have beautiful summers! If you’ve read the last blog from our Chef, you’ll know we have launched a rather tasty “summer” terrace menu here at the Beech Hill Hotel. We are also thinking about an evening barbeque menu that we will run mainly on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer. I know we’ll need the weather on our side but honestly, we do have some great days (and nights!)

The terrace is the perfect place for this because it’s in full sun right through the afternoon and stays in the sun until it goes down, sometimes as late as 10 o’clock! Plenty of time then to kick back with a cocktail and something fresh off the Barbie!

Check us out on facebook where you’ll see that some of you have already told us about some of your favourite dishes of all time! Our chef has seen some really unusual ones and it’s great to see the different combinations people put together!

We’d love to hear what it is you enjoy most when its cooked on the BBQ, personally, I don’t think you can go to far wrong with line caught sea bass, cooked with fresh herbs, a wedge of lemon and just a little butter, put everything in a simple foil parcel and wait for perfection! I think I’ve just decided what’s for dinner this evening!

So follow us on facebook, leave us as many ideas as you like and give your idea of the “perfect” Barbeque! You never know, you could end up reading someone’s favourite dish and cooking it yourself, enjoy!

Jonathan Allan

General Manager

Summer’s here and we have a great new Lounge and Terrace menu in full swing. This summer in the Lake District promises to be a hot one and here at the Beech Hill we have the perfect place to enjoy it! For those of you who haven’t yet experienced our fantastic lake view terrace, what are you waiting for?!

Take some time to look through our website and gallery and check out our latest special offers, many include dinner in our award winning restaurant. I use fresh, local produce throughout all my menus and the whole dining experience is one to remember!

With the new Terrace menu I have retained some of the favourites, but brought in some, soon to be, classics!

Here’s a small a taster;

Succulent Fell bred Steak & Smoked Stilton Burger-with caramelised onions, watercress & dill pickle.

Crispy Parma Ham & Sage Croquettes- with beetroot puree & mustard sauce.

Deep-fried Whitebait – homemade dill tartar sauce, smooth mushy pea dip.

Rustic Farmhouse Ham Terrine –served with hot crusty bread, homemade piccalilli, & ketchup.

Hot-chocolate Fondue- Shortbread & meringue soldiers, homemade mint marshmallow & English strawberries.

There’s plenty more where these came from – but you’ll have to come and try them for yourselves!

Have a great summer, and I hope to see you soon!

Christopher G. Davies

Executive Head Chef

It’s now a perfect time of year to discover the Lake District’s magnificent landscaped gardens.  There are many to see but we would like to share with you some of our favourites.

Muncaster Castle

Muncaster Castle Gardens and World Owl Centre is one of the best places to visit in the Lake District for a fun family day out! Discover the extensive Gardens, blessed with breathtaking views all year round and famed for their rhododendrons (best during March – June). Relish the 77 acres of 18th Century Gardens with miles of pathways meandering through the woods.

Enjoy the historic ‘haunted’ Castle and the fascinating World Owl Centre. Be amazed by seeing more than 200 owls of over 50 species and don’t miss the Meet the Birds display which takes place daily.

Holker Hall

Step back in time and escape from the hustle and bustle of modern day living. Absorb the atmosphere of the family home of the Cavendish’s.

Feel the world famous Holker lime -one of the great trees of Britain. Hear the wind in the trees, in the magical garden. See the stunning views of fells and rolling parkland – the reason why the hall was a so beloved retreat by the Dukes of Devonshire as a counterpoint to Chatsworth’s grandeur.

Families – fly your kite in the park, roam through the gardens, hide and seek in the bushes…look out for our wonderful fancy foul. Swing, slide and climb in our playground then sample the wonderful, wholesome foods in the café.

Levens Hall

Levens Hall and Gardens is a family home situated on the southern edges of the Lake District.

Stroll amongst the world famous Topiary Gardens which date from1694. Colourful seasonal bedding and fine herbaceous borders make the scene change with the seasons. Families can explore the playground and living willow Labyrinth.

Admire the fine furniture, oak paneling and plasterwork of this Elizabethan manor. See the family stories unfold; you may even encounter one of the resident ghosts.

Blackwell

When entering Blackwell, one of Britain’s finest Arts & Crafts houses, you will be seeing the very details that the Holt family would have seen over 100 years ago. Look out over the gardens and Lake Windermere to the same magnificent Lake District views and experience the tranquil atmosphere the family would have loved.

Designed by M H Baillie Scott, Blackwell was built between 1898 and 1900 as a holiday retreat for Sir Edward Holt, a wealthy Manchester brewery owner. The house survives in a truly remarkable state of preservation retaining almost all of its original decorative features. Sit and soak up the atmosphere in Blackwell’s fireplace inglenooks and enjoy the house as it was originally intended, without roped-off areas.

The gardens were laid out in a series of terraces to achieve the best views of Lake Windermere from the house. Enjoy morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea on the flower-bordered terrace, one of the loveliest outdoor places anywhere in England.

Blackwell is more than a heritage attraction, several of its rooms are used as galleries, and exhibitions exploring different aspects of the Arts & Crafts Movement and of contemporary craft are held all year round.

Rydal Mount

Enjoy visiting an independent family home of one of the world’s famous poets – William Wordsworth.

Rydal Mount and gardens is now the family home of the poets direct descendants and has established itself as a world famous attraction.

Wordsworth was a “man of nature” and his beautiful self-landscaped gardens reflect his poetry and his romantic attitude.

The garden has recently been shown to be still very close to the poet’s original design and is the only property where you can see the largest lake – Windermere, and the smallest lake – Rydal Water.

Experience the house and garden and relax with tea, coffee and homemade cakes in the tearoom or enjoy quiet moments in the magic garden.

(All information courtesy of www.lakedistricthistorichouses.co.uk – please click on this link for further information and opening times)

And don’t forget, after your busy day exploring, the Beech Hill Hotel gardens are a perfect place to relax and unwind and watch the sun go down.

Nicola Barnes

Assistant Manager

Following up on my last blog, about entering the world that is Facebook. I thought I would up date you as to developments in this area. The Beech Hill Hotel page is up and fully operational, you can post a comment or a photo if you so choose but moreover you can even book a room, sign up for our newsletter, or even give us a review, all through our facebook page!

But what I really want to pass on to you and your friends is that we are running an amazing competition to win a weeks stay in our Luxury Holiday House in the Lake District. Which is worth c £2,000. What do you have to do I hear you say? Well not much really, all we ask is that you go to our: facebook page and “Like Us” and that’s it.  As soon as our likes reach “1000″ a winner will be selected at random from all the people who have liked us – Simples!

As at writing our likes stand at “382″ so we don’t have too far to go, but the more people who get to know about our competition the faster the winner can be announced! So do please pass this on to your friends so they can have a go too.

Want to know more about the prize then follow this link to our :Holiday House pages, it really is a stunning prize and we look forward to giving a week away (terms apply) sooner rather than later!

Thank you for reading.

Fraser Richardson

Managing Director

It’s time for all you runners, walkers and outdoor adventure seekers out there to be taking advantage of warmer temperatures and sunnier days. It’s now time to say goodbye to the gym and hello to fresh air and adventure! That treadmill at the gym may have got the job done during those cold winter months, but for all you scenery-searching, fun-seeking people, the great outdoors of the Lake District is a welcome change.

From here at The Beech Hill Hotel there are so many places to visit, please click on one of the following links to find a local walk, run or outdoor adventure to suit your requirements.

http://www.golakes.co.uk

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/grizedalehome

http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/walking

So go on, grab some comfortable clothes and shoes and head outdoors. Relax, unwind, get some fresh air and above all have fun.

For those who find this all too strenuous why not just take a gentle stroll around our gardens.  Then after your busy day you can always soak up those last remaining rays of sunshine on the terrace with a glass of bubbly or two!!!!!

Nicola Barnes

Assistant Manager

A view from our restaurant manager  Dennis who had designs on living and working in the Lake District:

After four years studying at Rochdale Art College I secured a position for myself in a graphic art & design studio in Manchester, after working there for three years I decided I was ready to move on and further my career.

I took a week’s break in the lakes, a place I am very fond of, lots of childhood memories of family holidays that will always stay with me.   Half way through my stay I thought to myself, imagine being able to live and work in a beautiful place like the Lake District rather than a city. So by the end of the week I decided that I was going to look for employment. graphic art was out of the question as the main industry was leisure.

Decision made I went for an interview at one of the top hotels of the time, (which I will not mention).  I was very nervous as I had no experience in this line of work.  I had a fantastic interview; I was asked if I had ever done any work of this type before, I replied no,  so I thought that there was little chance of getting a position, the response from the manager who interviewed me was “great, you’ve got the job”, I could not believe it.

I went home and put my notice in and two weeks later I was here and working.  I worked for a year in Windermere then over to Harrogate for a year at the Hotel Majestic. This was a very old school hotel, silver service and flambé work was the norm, waiters in white gloves, black waist coats and aprons, very smart!  I learnt so much here it gave me a great start in a career that to this day as held me in good stead and I still enjoy. No two days are ever the same!

After a year in Harrogate I decided that the lakes was the place for me and in 1977, some 34 years ago, I came for an interview at the Beech Hill Hotel, and got the job …… well that’s another story.

To be continued ………

Dennis Heywood

Restaurant Manager

Here at the Beech Hill Hotel we are not quick to join bandwagons. However it seems that Facebook is here to stay and more importantly absolutely everyone I know is using it, including my wife.  I had resisted but the peer pressure was so great that I caved in but before setting up my page I thought I would get the hotel to set up its page first namely www.facebook.com/beechhillhotel so I could see what all the fuss was about.

Well after a few teething issues, such as understanding the differences between pages and profiles, I managed to upload photos, link to websites and create up and coming events, and yes I’m converted what a great way of staying in touch. So as you will see if you look at the hotels page I have now set up my own profile! Scary!

But that leads me nicely to what  I wanted to highlight, because its such a great way to communicate and keep in touch it clearly would be perfect for letting our guests know what’s going on in the hotel! Whether it be events such as our gourmet & wine tasting nights, mothers day lunches or our spring and summer balls or our great value offers you can get to find out if you log on to facebook and “Like us”! Simples!

Now I know I’m asking you to do something for me so in turn I’d like to do something for you, if you “Like” our facebook page then you could get exclusively 15% off your stay at the hotel if you book on-line (terms apply). The promotional code will be revealed once you have liked us on our face book page.

This offer is not available anywhere else and it means you can see more of the beautilful Lake District for less! Thank you for reading.

Fraser Richardson

Managing Director