Storrs Hall: Intrigue and Indulgence
Historic Storrs Hall Hotel is a beautiful Grade II* listed Georgian Mansion house set right on the shoreline of Lake Windermere.
Lakeland poets, William Wordsworth and Robert Southey, were among the welcome guests in the hall’s heyday of private ownership and found inspiration amongst the prevailing tranquillity. Wordsworth recited his famous “daffodils” in the halls’s drawing room.
Additionally, the brilliant children’s author and artist, Beatrix Potter (1866-1943), famed for “ The Tale of Peter Rabbit”, Squirrel Nutkin” and other endearing characters attended many parties at Storrs, joining other distinguished guests from politics, industry and the military.
This handsome mansion, with its breathtaking views, was built in the 1790s by Sir John Legard, a Yorkshire landowner. A later owner, the rich Liverpool merchant -John Bolton, extended the house and created a park. The park has long been sold separately, leaving the remaining 17 acres of landscaped and wooded grounds. The hall retains a commanding outlook of the lake.
Sir John Legard travelled widely on the Continent. He was a great sailor, and it is known that in 1791 he lived in a country house in Switzerland close to lake Geneva, on which he had the best vessel on the lake.
Following the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon, travel to the Continent became ever more difficult, Sir John signed over his Yorkshire estate to his brother, and bought land next to Lake Windermere, and built Storrs Hall.
Today, Storrs Hall Hotel offerers luxurious guest accommodation with stunning views of the Windermere and the surrounding countryside.
With more than17 acres of gardens and sweeping lawns leading down to the Lakeside, the views are some of the best on Windermere.
The grounds allow access to the Lakeside and there are beautiful woodland walks here, which are perfect for taking a stroll after dinner.
Sir John Legard also built the Temple of heroes, which projects out into Windermere and is dedicated to the four British naval immortals, Admirals Duncan, Nelson, Howe and St Vincent, whose names are inscribed on tablets set in its walls.
In addition, the Storrs Hall Hotel restaurant offers a unique dining experience with a variety of delicious dishes and an atmosphere that is both inviting and relaxing.
Storrs Hall has recently opened a new waterfront bistro making the most of the lakeside location. The bistro offers French-inspired dining with wonderful lake views.
If you are looking for a holiday cottage with easy access to Storrs Hall enquire here.
