Lake District: The Brackenrigg Inn at Ullswater reopens to guests

The pub has reopened to guests of the lakeside hotel as well as local people and walkers after undergoing a full renovation.

The new owner is aiming to create a community atmosphere in the pub with plans for quiz nights and live music soon. Longer term, the Another Place team says it hopes to plant a kitchen garden and orchards, build a natural children’s play area and create an outdoor feast space in the six-acres of grounds, as well as re-establishing the pub’s tap room and microbrewery.

The new bar at The Brackenrigg Inn (Image: Rachael Smith)

With seven bedrooms, including single occupancy rooms, The Brackenrigg is a short walk from Another Place, The Lake and guests staying at the pub have full use of the hotel’s facilities, including its indoor swimming pool and outdoor hot tub, outdoor swimming and lake sports coaches and equipment, Kids’ Zone, three restaurants and library.

Interior designer Gillian Panter, of Kay Elliott Architects, was commissioned to create the pub’s interiors and was inspired by the area’s literary heritage, drawing on the idea of Lakeland stories and literature to tie the spaces together.

The ground floor public areas have brass details, low lighting, Chesterfield sofas, wall panelling, a moody colour palette and a mix of locally sourced antique furniture with contemporary finishes designed to evoke an eclectic library feel.

The dining room at The Brackenrigg Inn (Image: Rachael Smith)

Alcoves and armchairs by original fireplaces have been converted into cosy corners for conversation or reading, with book choices from Wordsworth to Wainwright.

A couple of the bedrooms feature handcrafted wallpaper made with the pages of Lake District books.

From Persian rugs to 100-year-old chairs, vintage pieces were chosen for their character and personality to create a laid-back and lived-in ambience, where dogs and hiking boots are welcome.

Gillian explains: “To minimise the environmental impact of the refit, we sourced 80 per cent of the furniture from local antique shops, mostly in Penrith, just ten minutes down the road, with other pieces found at auction and some made bespoke by local craftsmen.

The study room at The Brackenrigg Inn (Image: Rachael Smith)

“It’s inspiring to think of the history in some of these pieces. We don’t know where they’ve come from or what they were used for before, but that’s all part of the beauty. Having sourced so much of the furniture locally, it’s really helped spread the word about the Brackenrigg reopening. I can’t wait to see locals and guests alike chatting by the bar or enjoying a sunny spring drink on the terrace.”

Local beers, spirits and soft drinks feature at the bar and Lakeland flavours continue in the kitchen too with menus that champion Cumbrian producers, such as Cartmel Valley pigs in blankets with mustard mayonnaise as a bar snack to a Ploughman’s platter with Cumbrian speciality cheeses, Cumberland sausage and mash and sticky toffee pudding, whose origins are in the area.

Guests have breakfast at The Brackenrigg Inn and can dine in the three restaurants at Another Place for lunch and dinner.

A bedroom at The Brackenrigg Inn, Ullswater (Image: Rachael Smith)

Six of the seven bedrooms upstairs have direct views of the lake. Earthy tones and rustic finishes are enlivened with contemporary pops of bold colour and fresh floral prints.

David Vaughan, Another Place hotels director, said: “The Brackenrigg’s roots are in the local community and we’re extending a warm welcome to everyone who finds themselves in the Ullswater Valley, whether that means home, a good hike, a day trip or staying the night (or three).

A bedroom at The Brackenrigg Inn, Ullswater (Image: Rachael Smith)

“Our bar, restaurant, terrace and rooms will bring a new energy to Ullswater’s north-east shore, as well as enhancing the experience for Another Place guests.”

Another Place, The Lake was the first hotel in the collection and has 47 bedrooms, a private lakeshore and views over Ullswater and the fells. The group is committed to becoming B Corp certified, balancing profit with people and planet, and reaching the highest environmental and social standards.

Rooms at The Brackenrigg Inn start at £120 (single, lake view) up to £250 for a family suite.

This is a shortened version of an article that appeared in Cumbria Life in July. For a limited time, you can get six issues of the magazine for just £9.99. Visit our website at cumbrialife.co.uk, select any six issue subscription and enter the voucher code OFFER24 when prompted to redeem your discount.