New owners of a Lake District hotel have unveiled its £1.3 million revamp.
Dating back to the 1750s, the Royal Oak at Rosthwaite is a former farm and miners’ tavern located on the Coast to Coast route near Keswick .
The now 23-bedroom hotel and restaurant has been a popular spot for visitors and walkers alike for many years, with the previous owners at the helm for 50 years.
The Royal Oak has now undergone an eight-month makeover with the arrival of Nick Wyatt and Matthew Welbourn, who said they had put a strong emphasis on collaborating with local artisans and suppliers.
The Royal Oak’s refurbishment has uncovered a variety of historic features, from original beams and fireplaces to a name etched into a window when the building was a Temperance Hall in the 1920s.
Matthew and Nick said eco-friendly innovations had also been a top priority, including handmade local soap and reconstituted plastic bottles being used to create feather-like, vegan down for all the pillows and duvets.
Alongside Matthew and Nick, the new-look team is a mixture of new recruits and well-established staff, including manager Ann Jackson who has been at The Royal Oak since 1978 and has been christened head of authenticity.
Matthew and Nick said she had a wealth of knowledge about the local area and played a vital role in helping guests to feel a real connection with the community they are visiting.
Matthew said: “The Royal Oak is a quintessential Lakeland hotel in the heart of the Lake District National Park. The previous owners did a fantastic job is building a loyal customer base over an impressive five decades and our aim is to stay true to the heritage of the property by offering a truly authentic local experience.
“At the same time, visitor expectations continue to change and evolve – with personal wellbeing being a key factor in people’s holiday choices. This major overhaul is all about taking the hotel to the next level by offering a modern product which helps our guests make the most of the unique Lake District landscape just outside the window.
“Our service ethic focuses making people feel at home, very much like a ski chalet you might find on an alpine resort – a relaxed atmosphere, with a real focus on wellbeing, quality and comfort. Our drying room and new boot dryer is straight out of a ski resort and has already been getting rave reviews from guests!
We also support local businesses, from produce to decor and everything in between. Where we can, we make sure to use local businesses and their products not only because they offer the best, but also to do our bit for the local community and reduce our carbon footprint in this world-class destination.”
