Harrison Pitt Architects chosen for £2.5m Lakes hotel revamp

Lancaster-based Harrison Pitt Architects has been appointed to work on the multi-million pound restoration of a historic Cumbrian hotel.

The practice will oversee the £2.5m project to give the part Grade II listed Forest Side Hotel, Grasmere, a new lease of life following its acquisition by local entrepreneur Andrew Wildsmith.

The hotel’s 23 guest rooms will be reconfigured and refurbished to create 18 larger en-suite bedrooms and three luxury duplex suites. The dining room will also be extended to open onto a new garden terrace.

Andrew Walters, architect at Harrison Pitt Architects, said: “We are thrilled to be returning this impressive building to its former glory. The scheme will improve the appearance of insensitive additions that have been made over the years while restoring generously proportioned rooms based on the original building layout.

“While it means the Forest Side Hotel will have fewer rooms overall, the scale and standard of accommodation will be much higher so visitors will have the chance to experience luxuriously appointed rooms.”

Andrew Wildsmith, who recently took over Forest Side Hotel, also runs hotels The Ryebeck in Bowness and Hipping Hall in Kirkby Lonsdale.

He said: “Harrison Pitt’s expertise will help update the hotel to offer the comforts of contemporary accommodation while maintaining the building’s historic charm.”

The firm’s designs will tastefully restore and conserve the building’s original features, including its fireplaces, panelling and decorative plasterwork.

The plans will also help transform the hotel’s restaurant into a first-class eatery by providing a visual link between the kitchen and dining area, while a new greenhouse will enable the Forest Side Hotel to source its own produce from its kitchen garden, which is also being restored.

Andrew added: “We have brought on board some of the region’s top culinary talent including award-winning chef Kevin Tickle, so we were also keen to update the look of the restaurant to reflect these high standards.”

A fruit orchard will also be created as part of external landscaping and maintenance works to surrounding woodland. The hotel’s Grade II listed hunting lodge, which was built in 1853, does not form part of the planned works. Harrison Pitt Architects has worked on a number of recent refurbishment and new-build projects in the leisure and hospitality sector, including Hipping Hall in Kirkby Lonsdale and The Borough in Lancaster.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Harrison Pitt Architects

Latest news

1

Eurofighter deals secure thousands of jobs Typhoon production in Samlesbury, Lancashire

Eurofighter deals secure thousands of jobs

24 Dec 2024

2

Rospen shares global reach and industry expertise with MP Grant McGeever and Sarah Smith MP

Rospen shares global reach and industry expertise with MP

23 Dec 2024

3

The Flow Group acquires Blackburn based Modern Bookbinders in strategic asset purchase The Flow Group's Richard, Mick and Helen

The Flow Group acquires Blackburn based Modern Bookbinders in strategic asset purchase

23 Dec 2024

4

fulfilmentcrowd reports record-breaking performance LeeThompsonfulfilmentcrowd

fulfilmentcrowd reports record-breaking performance

20 Dec 2024

5

Record year for Grant Thornton Northern deals team The team

Record year for Grant Thornton Northern deals team

20 Dec 2024

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:30 - 16:00

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

Preston Tech Connection - January Meet-Up
Nov Preston Tech Connection event banner-4.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jan 2025 - 15 Jan 2025

Preston Tech Connection - January Meet-Up

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

R.I.S.E. and Shine
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
16 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025

R.I.S.E. and Shine

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

08:45 - 11:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

LBV120 Magazine Launch Event
DSC9389
Networking
17 Jan 2025

LBV120 Magazine Launch Event

Lancastrian Suite, Town Hall, Chorley, PR7 1DP

08:30 - 10:30

Red Rose Awards 2025
Red Rose Awards 2025
Awards
13 Mar 2025

Red Rose Awards 2025

Winter Gardens Blackpool

18:00 - 11:59

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV118 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin