The Waterhead Inn reopens following multi-million-pound refurb

The Inn Collection Group’s lakeside site in Ambleside, The Waterhead Inn has now reopened following a multi-million-pound refurbishment by the Newcastle-based pub with rooms operator.

Beginning in October last year, the “extensive” renovations have created additional bedrooms and a total revamp of the venue’s bar and restaurant facilities.

The works have created new indoor and outdoor seating and doubled the size of the bar and restaurant.

According to the group, rooms on the ground level have been transformed into a “pleasant” space with a combination of booth seating and free-standing chairs.

The whole site has been designed by Consult North, who also worked with The Inn Collection Group on The Angel Inn at Bowness on Windermere and The Northallerton Inn.

Additionally, work has also been carried out on the outdoor terrace areas, which have been extended to offer more opportunities for guests.

Working with GSSArchitecture on the project, the reopening of The Waterhead Inn also marks the return of the previous Ambleside Lake House, which will now serve as Lake House, as an annexe of the main site.

Following the refurbishment, the pub will now also offer breakfast at check-in, a refurbished bar and a completely refurbished kitchen which has seen investment in a broiler.

A new menu is available on the website, with a focus on the grill portion. The site’s initial menu features a signature 1 kg salt-aged on-the-bone ribeye steak.

It will also serve fish dishes such as Halibut, Sea Bream and Turbot all on offer alongside a host of traditional pub favourites.

The Inn Collection Group now has nine venues open across the national park, with a final refurbishment, The Ullswater Inn (formerly the Glenridding Hotel) due to complete its programme of works later this autumn.

Daryl Hardy, general manager at The Waterhead Inn, said: “We are thrilled to have completed the refurbishment of The Waterhead Inn and to be launching another extraordinary site back into service.

“There has been a phenomenal amount of work put in over the last nine months which people will see from the moment they come through our doors. It is a real credit to everyone who has worked on the project. The transformation from what was a very traditional hotel style into a warm and welcoming inn has created something very special and I can’t wait to see and hear people’s reactions when they see it in person.”