Fun day set to celebrate Ambleside reopenings

Ambleside’s Waterhead Bay will be the place to be this Saturday, as The Inn Collection Group celebrate the reopening of The Wateredge Inn and The Waterhead Inn with a family fun day across the two sites.

Returning from refurbishment earlier in the summer, the two venues have been subjects of multi-million-pound investments by the Newcastle-based pub with rooms operator, which has been reflected in strong occupancy rates and solid food and beverage sales.

With their returns to trade falling during the traditionally busy summer season, the opening celebration has been held back to the end of the school summer holidays, with a packed programme ready for Saturday.

At The Waterhead Inn, Milnthorpe Steel Band will be present during the afternoon with their wide-ranging repertoire of music from traditional Caribbean calypsos to Abba, the Beatles and Glenn Miller while from 6pm, popular folk singer Don Helm (The Chip Butty Man) will take over as the musical offering.

Throughout the day, face painters and balloon artists will also be present to entertain the youngsters in the crowd.

Alongside the inn’s regular menu, a hog roast will be available to offer something to those who want to graze on the go between the two sites.

Across at The Wateredge Inn, the irresistible feature of the lakeside beer garden will be a huge draw, with temperatures forecast to hit the high 20s and a plentiful supply of outdoor seating available to diners and drinkers.

With pub-style favourites packing the menu at this site, it will have its food offering supplemented with a tasty BBQ to make the most of the late spurt of summer.

Live music will be on throughout the day including a set from highly regarded acoustic soloist Dan James McClew, with all acts taking place in the outdoor space.

For those looking for a jaunt onto the water itself, a special visitor in the shape of MV Penelope II from Windermere Jetty Museum will be offering an arcing cruise of the bay between the jetties outside of the respective Inns,

Built by Borwicks of Bowness in the inter-war years, this historic vessel has the appearance of a traditional Windermere steam launch with its straight bow and cruiser stern but has always been run with a motor engine.

Taking approximately 15 mins in each direction, the elegant cruiser will ferry 12 passengers at a time on a relaxing, leisurely ride between the two inns, free of charge.

Looking ahead to the event, Daryl Hardy, general manager at The Waterhead Inn said: “We’re looking forward to a bit of a carnival to celebrate the re-openings here in the Bay.

“Both sites have been busy this summer and people have been enjoying their new looks in numbers and it will be great to show them at their best and invite people to enjoy the weather with us this weekend.

Andy Black, general manager at The Wateredge Inn added: “With music, face-painters and MV Penelope adding to our usual activities there is something for everyone to enjoy at our fun day and we can’t wait to see both inns busy throughout the day.”