Historic Hotels In Cumbria: The Swan, Lancrigg

The Swan
North Ambleside, Grasmere LA22 9RF

Who Does Not Know The Famous Swan?

Built in 1650, The Swan began its life as a simple coaching inn with three bedrooms. Things are different now, of course: set at the heart of the Lake District, it needs to dispense hospitality for far more than just the occasional passing traveller.

The building itself is immortalised in the text of William Wordsworth�s poem, The Waggoner (no surprise given that Dove Cottage - home of the great romantic poet - is a stone�s throw from its doors) and was a regular haunt of Sir Walter Scott.

Today the hotel is set in 33 acres of grounds, with a sheltered garden, and enjoys views of nearby Helm Crag and Dunmail Raise. It�s an ideal starting point for exploring lakes, valleys and mountain scenery on foot or by car.

Lancrigg
Easedale, Grasmere LA22 9QN

Parts of this country house date back as far as the 1600�s, although it�s likely that there will have been buildings on the site even before then.

Its fascinating history, though, is primarily nineteenth century. In 1840, the great romantic poet Wiiliam Wordsworth purchased the property on behalf of a friend, Elizabeth Fletcher. Indeed, Wordsworth maintained his interest in the house for many years, involving himself in the restoration of the building. It is known that both he and his sister, Dorothy, continued their close friendship with the owner, making numerous visits to Lancrigg. An entry in her journal reads: �We had only been in Grasmere four days when we discovered the terraced walk at Lancrigg, which long remained our favourite haunt.�

It seems that Elizabeth Fletcher was well connected. In addition to the Wordsworths, Charles Dickens - a close friend of her son - was another regular visitor to the house.

Following Elizabeth�s death, her daughter and son-in-law, Sir John Richardson, resided at the house. During that time Lancrigg welcomed such figures as Robbie Burns.

Today, the building is a country house hotel specialising in vegetarian cuisine.

Avoid the new... The following may not necessarily be linked to famous figures or events, but all offer accommodation in historic surroundings. Click on the links for further tariff and availability information.

Ambleside Salutation, The. AMBLESIDE. 17th century inn close to Lake Windermere. Expedia.co.uk | Superbreak

Armathwaite Hall. BASSENTHWAITE. Once a stately home, the seventeenth century Armathwaite Hall provides four-star accommodation on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake. Superbreak.

Bower House Inn. ESKDALE. A traditional Cumbrian inn dating back to 1725. LateRooms

Brackenrigg Inn, The. ULLSWATER. Four-star accommodation in a former 18th century coaching inn. LateRooms

Farmer�s Arms, The. Nr ULVERSTON. Offering accommodation since the seventeenth century, the inn has been standing since the fourteenth. LateRooms

Grasmere Red Lion, The. GRASMERE. Located at the centre of the village William Wordsworth called home, the Red Lion offers 47 guest rooms. Superbreak

Lindeth Howe Country House Classic Hotel. BOWNESS ON WINDERMERE. Formerly the property of Beatrix Potter. Superbreak

Lovelady Shield Country House. ALSTON. This Georgian country house stands on the site of a thirteenth century convent. LateRooms

Mortal Man, The. TROUTBECK. Historic 12-room inn dating back to 1689. LateRooms

New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. LANGDALE. Said to date back to the medieval period, the hotel has six acres of its own gardens. Expedia.co.uk

Rampsbeck Country House Hotel. Nr PENRITH. 18th century country house on the banks of Lake Ullswater. Superbreak

Red Lion of Hawkshead, The. HAWKSHEAD. Fifteenth century coaching inn with 12 en-suite bedrooms.. LateRooms

Riverside Hotel, The. KENDAL. Seventeenth century building on the banks of the River Kent. Expedia.co.uk

Samling, The. Built in the late 1700�s, it was here that William Wordsworth paid rent on his home at Dove Cottage. LateRooms

Stonecross Manor. KENDAL. Boasting thirty en suite rooms, the building was once an orphanage. Expedia.co.uk

Storrs Hall. WINDERMERE. Attractive Georgian mansion on the banks of Lake Windermere. Superbreak

Sun Inn, The. HAWKSHEAD. A traditional 17th century inn located in one of the Lake District�s most beautiful villages. LateRooms

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