About us

About Lake District Hotels

Lake District Hotels Ltd. is a group of 6 family owned and run hotels situated in the picturesque market town of Keswick and on the shores of Derwentwater and Ullswater. The company was established in 1983 by Kit and Charles Graves when they bought the Kings Arms Hotel in Keswick. In 2011, Kit and Charles’ daughter, Daniella Hope, joined the group and became Marketing Director in 2014. The family is actively involved in running the hotels and can often be seen in and around them.

Lake District Hotels has a dedicated senior management team in each hotel and in the head office, many of whom have been working for the group for many years. The day to day running is over seen by Gwyn Jones, Group Operations Manager.

Our Timeline

Borrowdale Hotel Undergoes a Refurb

1st March 2023

Borrowdale Hotel Undergoes a Refurb

The Borrowdale Hotel undergoes a ground-floor refurbishment, inspired by local landscapes and the hotel’s historic features.

Kings Arms Refurb

1st March 2023

Kings Arms Refurb

Lake District Hotels totally revamp the traditional coaching inn, bringing character and style to the popular hotel

Inn on the Lake unveils one of the largest terraces in the Lake District.

1st February 2023

Inn on the Lake unveils one of the largest terraces in the Lake District.

Kings Arms Turns 40

1st January 2023

Kings Arms Turns 40

Bring out the cake! The Kings Arms celebrates its 40th birthday owned by the Graves Family.

Mizu Pan-Asian Restaurant

1st October 2022

Mizu Pan-Asian Restaurant

Mizu at the Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa wins ‘Best Restaurant in England’ at the 2022 Golden Chopsticks Awards.

The Loft nightclub calls time after 20 years!

31st May 2022

The Loft nightclub calls time after 20 years!

Skiddaw Hotel nominated for Cumbria Tourism Large Hotel of the Year award

1st March 2022

Skiddaw Hotel nominated for Cumbria Tourism Large Hotel of the Year award

The Skiddaw Hotel picked up another nomination – this time for Large Hotel of the Year

Family Business of the Year at the inCumbria awards

1st December 2021

Family Business of the Year at the inCumbria awards

We’re a family business at heart. In fact, we took home the award for Cumbria’s Family Business of the Year in 2021.

First Long Service Staff Awards

22nd November 2021

First Long Service Staff Awards

We held our first Long Service Awards this year – read more on our blog

Lodore Falls & Spa win another award!

6th September 2021

Lodore Falls & Spa win another award!

Good Spa Guide Awards; Best Countryside Getaway

Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa Awards

1st September 2020

Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa Awards

Winner of the Professional Beauty Awards; 1. Midlands and North West Spa of the Year; 2. Boutique Spa of the Year and the Northern Design Awards; Landscaping Design & Installation Award

Brasserie 31 opens and is awarded its first AA Rosette

1st August 2020

Brasserie 31 opens and is awarded its first AA Rosette

Brasserie 31 opens at the Skiddaw Hotel under supervision of new head chef Bobby Fillingham and is awarded it’s first AA Rosette within a month of opening.

Inn on the Lake ground floor refurbishment

1st March 2020

Inn on the Lake ground floor refurbishment

Inn on the Lake gets a full ground floor refurbishment

Skiddaw Hotel ground floor refurbishment and awarded a 4th star for excellence

1st March 2020

Skiddaw Hotel ground floor refurbishment and awarded a 4th star for excellence

Skiddaw Hotel gets a full ground floor refurbishment and also awarded a 4th AA star for excellence

The Falls Spa gardens open in full

1st June 2019

The Falls Spa gardens open in full

The Falls Spa garden opens to the public. The grass really is greener on this side of Derwentwater!

Golden Chopsticks Award Winner

1st May 2019

Golden Chopsticks Award Winner

Mizu Pan Asian Restaurant at Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa wins the Golden Chopsticks Award for Best Newcomer

The Falls Spa opens

7th November 2018

The Falls Spa opens

The brand new Spa and 18 new Spa Suites open at the Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa

The George Hotel is sold

31st October 2018

Mizu Pan Asian Restaurant Opens

1st May 2018

Mizu Pan Asian Restaurant Opens

Mizu Pan Asian Restaurant at the Lodore Falls Hotel opens

Lodore Falls Hotel refurbishment

22nd April 2017

Lodore Falls Hotel refurbishment

Lodore Falls Hotel closes for 6 weeks in January to undergo a complete ground floor refurbishment, while the old leisure club is demolished to make way for an exciting new development.

Candleroom opens

22nd June 2016

Candleroom opens

The Candleroom is added to the Rambler’s Bar at the Inn on the Lake.

Brossen Wins Award

22nd April 2016

Brossen Wins Award

Brossen Steakhouse at the Inn on the Square wins the Cumbria Life award for Best Local Restaurant.

Inn on the Square opens

22nd April 2015

Inn on the Square opens

The Queens Hotel is renamed Inn on the Square and opens its doors in June to reveal a brand-new look including 34 new bedrooms, 13 of which feature Herdwick sheep walls, and Keswick’s only dedicated steakhouse, Brossen Steakhouse. Inn on the Square received 4 AA stars and 1 rosette for dining in Brossen Steakhouse within 6 weeks of opening.

Queens Hotel purchased

22nd June 2014

Queens Hotel purchased

The Queens Hotel in Keswick was purchased in April and closed in November for a £2.5million renovation of ground floor and all bedrooms.

Borrowdale Hotel refurbished

22nd May 2014

Borrowdale Hotel refurbished

The Borrowdale Hotel receives the final instalment of its refurbishment with lounge, bar and conservatory getting a complete makeover.

Biomass boilers installed

22nd April 2014

Biomass boilers are installed at the Lodore Falls Hotel and Borrowdale Hotel.

Kings Arms Hotel refurbishment

22nd May 2013

Kings Arms Hotel refurbishment

Kings Arms Hotel receives a full ground floor refurbishment

Additions and Awards at the Inn

22nd April 2013

Additions and Awards at the Inn

The Orangery at the Inn on the Lake is built and opened offering 360 degree views of lake and fells. Inn on the Lake won Cumbria Tourism Large Hotel of the Year award and Outstanding Customer Service award.

Refurbishment of Inn on the Lake

22nd April 2011

Refurbishment of Inn on the Lake

Inn on the Lake receives a complete ground floor refurbishment

Borrowdale Hotel purchased

22nd April 2008

Borrowdale Hotel purchased

Borrowdale Hotel is purchased and all bedrooms receive a full refurbishment.

LB’s Pizza House is relaunched

22nd April 2006

LB’s Pizza House is relaunched

Loose Box Pizzeria is refurbished and renamed LB’s Pizza House

Lodore Swiss purchased

22nd April 2004

Lodore Swiss purchased

Lodore Swiss Hotel is bought from Hilton, renamed The Lodore Falls Hotel and regains 4 AA stars.

Inn on the Lake reopens

22nd April 2001

Inn on the Lake reopens

The Ullswater Hotel is renamed Inn on the Lake and reopens in April after a full refurbishment.

The Loft Nightclub opens

22nd June 2000

The Loft Nightclub, situated above LB’s Pizza House in the Kings Arms Courtyard, opens.

Ullswater Hotel purchased

22nd April 2000

The Ullswater Hotel is purchased and receives a complete refurbishment.

George Hotel is purchased

22nd April 1998

George Hotel is purchased

The George Hotel in Penrith is purchased in November.

Skiddaw Hotel is purchased

22nd April 1995

Skiddaw Hotel is purchased

The Skiddaw Hotel next door to the Kings Arms Hotel is purchased.

Casablanca Piano Bar opens

22nd April 1988

Casablanca Piano Bar opens in the Kings Arms Courtyard, having formerly been garages and a flat.

Loose Box Pizzeria opened

22nd April 1985

Loose Box Pizzeria opened

Loose Box Pizzeria (now LB’s Pizza House) was converted from an old stable in the Kings Arms Courtyard.

Kings Arms Hotel is purchased

22nd April 1983

Kings Arms Hotel is purchased

The Kings Arms hotel in Keswick was purchased. There were 21 bedrooms with 4 shared bathrooms. This was soon changed to the existing layout of 13 en-suite bedrooms. The hotel was bought at auction from Jennings Brewery.