The Conniston Inn reopens amid multi-million pound redesign

The Inn Collection group has announced the reopening of The Conniston Inn, following the  completion of a multi-million pound redesign by the group.

The historic 42-bed hotel was redeveloped over an 18-month period, which saw a “complete reform” of the traditional Lakeland slate building.

The completed site has once again opened its doors to guests, with new features including a direct lake access from the inn’s private jetty, as well as four acres of mature gardens with a pergola facing the water. 

The bar and dining area has also been redesigned, and now features open-plan areas with maximised views of the lake and fell. A private dining room is now available for larger parties or corporate guests, while a new extension with traditional crafted Lakeland slatehouses 21 bedrooms, including interconnecting family rooms.

The new design also incorporates a sustainable reed bed water purifying system, a biomass boiler while the kitchen has its own herb garden. Bedrooms have rechargeable lanterns for guests to use on walks. 

The opening of the expanded site is set to create a total of 40 new jobs, while the group is also looking to recruit a further 50 people across its expanding portfolio of Lakes sites, including The Ambleside Inn at Ambleside, The Swan in Grasmere and The Pheasant at Bassenthwaite.

Husband and wife team John and Anita Dodsworth are general managers of the new Coniston Inn. 

John said: “It’s been a long time in the making but the end product is second to none. We’ve been waiting for this day for 18 months and seeing the doors finally open fulfils a long-standing dream. 

“We are so pleased to see everything we’ve been working on for so long come to life. It will be a great asset both for people living in the community here in the Coniston area and for visitors alike.”

The Inn Collection Group operations manager Chris Moor said: “The Coniston Inn is a massive boost for hospitality and tourism in the Lake District and for the local community surrounding the inn itself. We’ve created a real positive in the hospitality industry, generating jobs and actively recruiting.

“As The Inn Collection Group’s debut Lakes acquisition, it’s especially rewarding seeing The Coniston Inn open for business in what truly is one of the most breathtaking and unique addresses in the Lakes and one we as a group looked long and hard for over ten years to find.”