A historic Cumbrian hotel is set to reopen its doors after a period of closure, thanks to the efforts of a determined family team.
Karen Thomson bought Nent Hall Country House Hotel in Nenthead, near Alston, after selling her own property on the Isle of Skye.
She first came across the hotel while it was up for auction and, after visiting with her sister Morag and brother-in-law Davie, felt it was the right project for her.
Morag and Davie will now take on the day-to-day running of the hotel, bringing a hands-on, family approach to its revival.
When the team first arrived, the hotel had been closed for some time and the building had fallen into significant disrepair.
But despite the challenges, Karen and her team set about restoring the property, working within a tight budget to bring it back to life.
So far, major work has been carried out on the roof and the external structure, alongside the installation of a new boiler and heating system.
The manor was built in around 1738 by Richard Harris, a local lead miner who made his fortune in mining. In 1858, an ornate tower was added.
Inside, the bedrooms are being refurbished with a focus on maintaining a traditional country house feel, while some bathrooms have already been fully updated and others refreshed as part of a phased plan.
As work has progressed, Karen said she had worked closely with local suppliers and tradespeople – many of whom have shared their own memories of the hotel.
She said: “Stories of weddings, celebrations and family occasions have highlighted just how important Nent Hall has been to the community over the years.”
Karen and Morag are keen to see the hotel return to being a central part of local life once again.
When it reopens, the hotel will offer 18 bedrooms, including the Tower Suite.
The Coach House Bar will serve local ales alongside a selection of wines and spirits, with a menu of home-cooked bar food.
The Silver Vein Restaurant has also been restored and will offer a full à la carte menu, complemented by a range of international wines.
A new addition will be an afternoon tea service, available with or without a glass of fizz.
Morag, Davie and their team added: “Creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere is at the heart of what we do, and we are looking forward to welcoming both visitors and locals.”
The hotel is holding a grand opening on Saturday May 2 and Sunday May 3, including entertainment, food and activities.
To find out more, visit the hotel’s Facebook page here or visit the website here.
