Interiors specialist helps transform landmark Lake District inn

A SPECIALIST interiors business has played a key role in the transformation of a landmark Lake District inn.

Ghyll House Upholstery and Design was part of the team involved in the multi-million pound revamp of The Coniston Inn, formerly The Waterhead Hotel, on the shores of Coniston Water in the English Lake District.

The historic 42-bedroom pub with rooms reopened last month following an 18-month redevelopment.

As part of the work, the Ghyll House team created curtains and blinds throughout the venue, and recovered chairs in the bedrooms and fixed seating in the bar area.

Joe McAlpine, Ghyll House general manager, said: “It was great to be part of such a big project in the heart of the Lake District.

“We were able to use our expertise to deliver stylish and practical upholstery and soft furnishings as part of this major refurbishment.”

Joe and the Ghyll House team worked on dozens of pieces of furniture at their base at Mealsgate, near Cockermouth, using a specific palette of fabrics, which was in keeping with the new look of the inn.

The team have extensive experience in the hospitality sector, working with a range of hotel, leisure and other businesses across the north of England and Scotland to create quality, on-brand interiors for clients.

Chris Moor, operations manager for The Inn Collection Group, which owns The Coniston Inn, said they were delighted to work with a Cumbrian company that delivered such a quality service.

He said: “The Inn Collection Group pride themselves on their local and community connections.

“We were delighted to work with a Cumbrian company of the calibre of Ghyll House who provided the upholstery fabrics and soft furnishings for our exciting new Coniston Inn as part of its multi-million pound refurbishment.

“The design brief included fabrics that would both be in keeping with the surroundings and the inn’s classic heritage while being practical and hard wearing as our inns are all walkers, outdoors and pet friendly.

“We want customers to feel relaxed and at home when they enter our doors whether they are enjoying an evening out, or have stepped straight off the fells.

“Ghyll House certainly delivered on all areas producing an end result that is aesthetically stunning while being fully functional.”

Ghyll House was sub-contracted by Cumbrian construction firm Thomas Armstrong, who were the main contractors for the work on The Coniston Inn.

Conor Tinnion, a quantity surveyor with Thomas Armstrong who was involved in the project, said: “We were pleased to be involved in such a prestigious development in a beautiful location on the shores of Coniston Water. It’s a great addition to the local area for both visitors and locals.”

The redevelopment included a redesign of the bar and dining area to create an open-plan space which makes the most of the lake and fell views. A new extension with 21 extra bedrooms was added as part of the work and is designed to complement the original Lakeland slate building.

The former Waterhead Hotel has been welcoming guests for more than a century and its revamped interiors draw on its heritage, with vintage memorabilia and photo murals on the walls.

Guests can take advantage of direct lake access from a private jetty and enjoy four acres of mature gardens.

Its green credentials include a sustainable reed bed water purifying system, a biomass boiler and an on-site herb garden for the kitchen. The bedrooms include fully rechargeable lanterns to light the way for guests walking into the nearby Coniston village after dark.

The Coniston Inn is part of an award-winning portfolio of pubs with rooms across the north of England. The Inn Collection Group’s ethos is to create welcoming, relaxing environments for walkers, cyclists and outdoors enthusiasts as well as families and dog owners.

As well as The Coniston Inn, its Cumbrian pubs with rooms portfolio includes The Pheasant at Bassenthwaite; The Swan at Grasmere; and The Ambleside Inn in Ambleside.