Wateredge reopening crowns coronation weekend for ICG

The Coronation Bank Holiday proved to be a crowning weekend for The Inn Collection Group in Ambleside, as The Wateredge Inn became the company’s latest pub with rooms to reopen in the Lake District.

Found on the northern shores of Windermere on Waterhead Bay, the inn has been undergoing renovations since October last year and joins The Angel Inn at Bowness and The Swan at Grasmere in emerging from a multimillion-pound facelift.

Working with national architects GSSArchitecture, the new look Inn has had extensive works carried out on its bar and restaurant areas, as well as a total refurbishment of its guest bedrooms.

Retaining a unique character befitting of its position of prominence at the head of England’s largest lake, the new look of the property has been created in partnership with Design North.

It is the third site to date that has seen their expertise employed to rejuvenate an existing site, having previously worked with The Inn Collection Group on The Northallerton Inn and The Angel Inn.

External project management and employer’s agent services were provided by Fitzsimons Ltd, mechanical and electrical design by Sine Consulting and civil engineering design was provided by Northpoint Consulting.

Adopting a phased reopening due to the comprehensive nature of the works, the first stage has seen both the bar and restaurant return to service along with a selection of rooms offering stunning views out over Windermere.

These were enjoyed for the first time in six months by visitors, with general manager Andy Black hailing the return of guests to his site.

Black said: “We’ve had a really good few days and it has been a real homecoming for both staff and customers alike. We have a happy team who are thrilled to be back at their inn and we’ve had really satisfied customers.

“They have all been full of praise for the quality of the refurbishment, which looks amazing and we have had a good mix of first-time visitors and people who have come to us for years.

“We’re now looking forward to a really good summer and the rest of the rooms coming back into use in the coming weeks.

As part of the works, the adjacent Regent Hotel has been absorbed by The Wateredge Inn, with it now functioning as an annexe of the main site and renamed as Windermere Rooms.

Operating to a model successfully employed with Oakbank House at The Angel Inn at Bowness, the switch has seen The Regent’s redundant reception and public areas replaced by new room spaces, with guest services such as check-in and breakfast now hosted at The Wateredge Inn.

With a sprawling waterside beer garden offering views of the lake and the bustling steamer pier, The Wateredge Inn also has the unusual feature of its own private jetty, making it the perfect destination for boaters on the water for a refreshment stop.

Once complete, The Wateredge Inn will boast 70 rooms across its associated buildings, with the full inventory expected to be complete by mid-July.

Welcoming customers for the first time on May 5, The Wateredge Inn offers well-kept drinks, including an range of hand-pulled real ales and a delicious menu packed with pub food favourites, crafted from fresh, local ingredients.

Those who are amongst the first to stay at the newly reopened site can tantalise their tastebuds with these dishes through The Inn Collection Group’s Welcome Inn offer, which is in place on stays at the inn up to and including October 19.

When booking on this promotion, each guest receives a £20 allowance towards their meal on each night of the stay and with a host of pub favourites to choose from, there is plenty of Lakeland flavours to choose from.