A world famous hotel on the shores of Ullswater looks set to be reborn, we can reveal.
A design scheme for the Sharrow Bay Hotel has been submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority by CIEL Hotels, a company co-owned by Charles Lowther; his sister Marie-Louisa Raeburn; Michelin-starred chef Richard Swale; and sommelier Nico Chieze.
Sharrow Bay was the original country house hotel, in its heyday enjoying an international reputation for superb service and wonderful location.
The hotel was closed down four years ago, with its future uncertain.
Now, CIEL Hotels, which owns Askham Hall, the George and Dragon at Clifton and The Queen’s Head, has announced plans to revive Sharrow Bay and reopen the iconic Lake District hotel in 2025.
The plans include the restoration and conversion of the hotel’s existing buildings and gardens, and the expansion of facilities.
Central to the scheme, created by award-winning architects Feilden Fowles, is the ambition to use the existing building stock, to minimise new build elements; employ natural, sustainable materials; install on-site renewable energy generation; and improve accessibility through the 17-acre site.
A statement from CIEL Hotels said: “The aim of the project is to re-establish Sharrow Bay as one of the best places to stay and eat in the UK, while lovingly preserving its heritage, character, landscape and extraordinary setting on the shores of Ullswater.”
Well-known as the original country house hotel, Sharrow Bay first opened as a hotel in 1948. For 50 years it was run by Francis Coulson and his partner Brian Sack who both became legendary in the hospitality industry. It was the first Relais & Châteaux hotel in the UK and played a key part in the development of domestic tourism in the Lake District.
Sharrow Bay’s new owner, CIEL Hotels — which was founded in 2008 by Charles Lowther — says it is committed to infusing the estate with a new lease of life.
Its plans for Sharrow Bay include relocating its Michelin-starred restaurant Allium, which recently won the Taste of England Award in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2024, — together with its unrivalled 2,000 bin wine collection — from its current home at Askham Hall, plus:
- The restoration and redevelopment of the Main House, Garden Rooms Wing and Lodge.
- The redevelopment of Windy Ridge, the old stable block and former staff quarters, which will be converted into guest suites.
- A new, two-storey purpose-built spa and wellness centre featuring a glazed colonnade including sauna, outdoor plunge pool and treatment rooms, with multipurpose space above, clustered around a lake view courtyard.
- A series of low-lying architectural interventions nestling into the landscape: 20-40m2 cabins set within the walled kitchen gardens and orchard; and more remote stilted treehouses built on the edge of the existing deciduous woodland.
- The extension of woodland habitat and the refurbishment of the formal gardens, orchard and kitchen garden, including the existing greenhouse and bothies.
Charles Lowther said: “We are honoured to have the opportunity to bring this magical place back to life and we’ll be putting everything we have into its resurrection to make it what it deserves to be — the most special and intoxicating place to spend time.
“Every single element of our plan for Sharrow Bay has been painstakingly thought out, and we’ve appointed the best people we can find, to enhance the magnetic energy, captivating views and surrounding nature that make it so enchanting. Our vision is to combine this with our ingrained field-to-fork food philosophy, to create an inspiring, restorative, nourishing sanctuary for our guests.”
Feilden Fowles, which has worked for the Natural History Museum in London, Cambridge University, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Carlisle Cathedral, has been working on the design scheme for Sharrow Bay for over a year.
Fergus Feilden, director of Feilden Fowles said: “We are honoured to have been selected to restore such an iconic hotel with its unrivalled setting overlooking Ullswater. Our vision for the estate will help to make Sharrow Bay a destination retreat.
“This builds on our work in Cumbria, following our award-winning design for the Fratry at Carlisle Cathedral. We bring a landscape-driven approach which prioritises locally sourced natural materials and foregrounds respect for nature and biodiversity in a scheme which supports people and planet. Sharrow Bay has a uniquely beautiful setting, and our subtle interventions aim to enhance and celebrate this special place.”
It is intended that, subject to planning approval, Sharrow Bay will reopen its doors in 2025 and Askham Hall will then become an exclusive venue for weddings and private events.
Until then, Allium — and its award-winning food and wine – remain at Askham Hall.
