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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
8:53 PM 20th October 2020
lifestyle

Laura Ashley Hotel - The Belsfield - Luxury With Bells On

 
It is not often that you arrive at an hotel and the manager apologies for the inclement weather, but then the Laura Ashley Hotel - The Belsfield is not just another hotel.

Belsfield from Lake Windermere
Belsfield from Lake Windermere
Standing proudly above Bowness on Windermere she sits there like a grand old dame. The hotel has a long history but step inside and you will find yourself in an opulent environment with a modern twist thanks to the Laura Ashley connection.

The Belsfield dates back to 1845 as a private home for the Baroness Von Sternberg with some of its original features still remaining. Laura Ashley acquired the property in 2014 and The Belsfield underwent a huge refurbishment making Laura Ashley The Belsfield the second Laura Ashley hotel in the world.

Library
Library
You get the impression that nothing would be too much trouble - the staff we met were always very helpful, attentive without being too instructive and everyone seemed to take pride in their job.

The Grade II listed hotel boasts 62 impeccable Laura Ashley designed bedrooms, including 25 lake view rooms. Each bedroom is complete with chic and stylish Laura Ashley furnishings and accessories including 4-poster beds with luxury Egyptian cotton sheets and bathrooms with roll-top baths and underfloor heating.

Signature suite
Signature suite
The signature suite that we stayed in overlooked Lake Windermere, surely one of the best Lakeland views in the country to wake up to in the morning.

Your cases are carried up to your room. It was good to see that after the room was cleaned it had been sealed and even if it was raining when we arrived, as the mist rolled down the fells onto Lake Windermere it would be hard not to be moved by the view from the bedroom window.

View of Lake Windermere from Lake View room
View of Lake Windermere from Lake View room
According to my partner there was not a spot of dust in the room. At this level you can expect a super king size bed, 24 hour room service, a sitting room area with a comfy sofa, a fridge, air conditioning, good heating, a big TV, a desk with an ergonomic chair and plenty of wardrobe space.

The bathroom comes with underfloor heating, a walk in shower, bath and a toilet basin that is designed with their Japanese visitors in mind with its various flushes and actions!

Belsfield Restaurant
Belsfield Restaurant
The Belsfield is home to two restaurants catering to both casual and formal dining. The 2AA Rosette Awarded Belsfield Restaurant is the ideal location for a sumptuous gourmet experience. The Belsfield Restaurant pairs fine dining with views of the breath-taking scenery. Sitting beneath crystal chandeliers, guests can enjoy a selection of delicious dishes such as Jerusalem artichoke & black truffle velouté, Goosnargh duck with fennel puree and pineapple pickle, and Stone bass with black garlic lentils and salt baked kohlrabi, as well as an extensive wine and cocktail list.

Brasserie
Brasserie
The Brasserie is a stylish yet relaxed eatery serving local Cumbrian produce and traditional British dishes including Fish & chips and Sticky toffee pudding. The Brasserie is not serving evening meals at the moment due to the pandemic but you can still sit and relax in there and take in the lakeside views.

The Belsfield Restaurant for me combined good service with excellent food. I think though that whoever chose the playlist for the restaurant must have a love for pre 1970 jazz which is fine for the evening but at breakfast time it didn’t seem to fit in with the experience.

Sirloin steak
Sirloin steak
My partner adored her Thai Fishcakes whilst my Smoked Haddock and Welsh Rarebit was an enjoyable starter. Mains of 28 day aged sirloin steak and Pan Fried Sea Bass were as sound as a bell.

Cheeseboard
Cheeseboard
The cheeseboard comes with a Cumberland Farmhouse which had a nutty, rounded flavour, a Goats cheese Hootenanny, an Eden Smokie which reminded me of Brie and a Garstang Blue, a bit too mellow for me - you can’t beat a good Harrogate Blue but coming from Yorkshire it has to be the better of the two!

Breakfast is a buffet continental (with a one way system and social distancing) orca full English cooked freshly and brought to your table.

The hotel is set in its own grounds - you can see why it is popular as a wedding venue. As we strolled down the gardens to the waterfront the Windermere cruises were waiting to take us to Ambleside or down towards Newby Bridge in the opposite direction. The early morning sun was shining on Lake Windermere and the leaves in the trees were starting to turn golden brown.

As we sailed back from Ambleside towards Bowness, the Belsfield stood out on the horizon. I am sure that given the chance she will stand out for you.

To book visit www.lauraashleyhotels.com/thebelsfield
Contact Laura Ashley Hotel The Belsfield on
015 3944 2448 or belsfield@lauraashleyhotels.com
Laura Ashley The Belsfield, Kendal Road, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3EL

Instagram – @lauraashleyhotels
Twitter – @LauraAshHotels
Facebook – Laura Ashley Hotels, The Belsfield