HOLBECK GHYLL

Lovely day today.

It started off with a much needed Qigong session with Gladders and C.  Felt so much better afterwards, brilliant session.

Then a quick change and we took G up to Holbeck Ghyll for his belated Birthday lunch.

WOW what an amazing place.  Very quiet really, we were the only guests in for lunch but they had a full restaurant for afternoon tea this afternoon, but perfect for us.

It's very Arts and Crafts, Tiffany lights, William-Morris sthle wallpaper, oak panelling and the staff so very attentive.  Now I must admit I would like some time to go up there for their evening meal but it is fine dining and very expensive, probably a bit too expensive for us.  We made do with the casual dining so it was soups, burgers and/or sandwiches for us.  But it was all worth it 

The staff were so attentive and very helpful and they told us something of the history of the hotel.

It was built in the 19th Century, and was bought in 1888 by Lord Lonsdale, one of the richest men in the country, to use as his hunting lodge.
The “Yellow Earl”, as he was known, was the first president of the Automobile Association and bequeathed the famous Lonsdale Belt to boxing.  It was down to him the boxing stopped usig bare knuckles and had gloves to hepl protect the fighters.
Between the 1920’s and 1973, Holbeck Ghyll was a private house and then in 1973 iwas converted to a hotel and remained in the same ownership until 1988 when it was acquired by new private owners.
Over the past 20 years there has been an on-going refurbishment programmw and systematic development has seen the opening of a Health Spa and creation of a tennis court, the building of The Lodge (6 lake view bedrooms in a house in the grounds) and other things.   Whilst adding facilities and increasing the number of bedrooms (from 12 to 32), genuine hospitality, quality of service and high standards have always been of paramount importance.
I just love oak panelling and arts and crafts, even the light switches are pretty.  Such fantastic views as well, and for me it was much better today that there was very dramatic clouds as it enhanced the beauty of the fells over Wndermere.
We had Wild Garlic (and something which I've forgotten soup), with the wild garlic being picked from their own grounds to start with.  It was soooo delicioius.  It came with mini sourdough bread rolls (made on the premises) with their hand churned butter, one pat salted the other with wild garlic.  SCRUMMY.
We then had a walk around the grounds - quite a bit of it, all terraced down tot he main road I think, but so lovely.  They are also very dog friendly, so anyone wanting to go for an afternoon tea with fantastic views and take your dog, this is the place for you.
Now back home and I will be catching up on your blips now.  Then I will have to process the photos I took, this is just a collage showing the view that we had to endure whilst eating lunch and the view from the door leading out of the bar area. STUNNING.

I felt comfortable up there too because there were so few people around, a family staying there, and a couple arriving (with their gorgeous dog) as we left.

Do take care every one and stay safe and I will see you all tomorrow.