When I arrived at the Cedar Manor Hotel, I was warmly greeted by its owner, Jonathon, and immediately offered a cup of tea. He made the tea himself and brought it to the lounge. I had noticed a beautiful stained glass church-style window behind the bar at the far end of the lounge. I was not surprised to discover that the house and been built in 1854. It was designed by J S Crowther who had also designed the church of St Mary next door and Holehird, a mansion on the outskirts of Windermere. Crowther is most well-known for his restoration and repair of Manchester Cathedral. Jonathon was clearly very proud of their own restoration of this hotel. He and his wife Caroline have replicated the country house it used to be. I was impressed by the subtle mix of contemporary and traditional furnishings. Cedar Manor Hotel
Lounge and Bar at the Cedar Manor Hotel in Windermere, Cumbria, UK
I was delighted when I went to my bedroom to discover the church window theme had been continued here with window shaped head boards. My room had every facility a traveller could wish for – iron and ironing board, toiletries and separate tea and coffee-making facilities. It is no wonder the hotel has achieved the accolade of an AA Red Star Award – their Inspectors’ Choice as one of the best hotels in the British Isles. I would have loved to have settled in the cosy armchair and munched my way through the bowl of fresh fruit on the table – the hotel had been informed that I was a fresh fruit and vegetable fanatic and had added this personal touch. Fresh fruit is always available in either the restaurant or the lounge but having some in my room made me feel very special. However, it was still daylight and I wanted to go out and explore first. Jonathon had given me directions to a viewpoint over Lake Windermere and it was not long before I was enjoying my first sight of this vast expanse of water.
Bedroom at the Cedar Manor Hotel in Windermere, Cumbria, UK
I dined in the hotel’s two AA Rosette restaurant that evening and really enjoyed my meal. The food was delicious and devoid of all the bits and pieces chefs nowadays seem to think are essential to make a dish interesting. It was a refreshing change to be presented with good, wholesome food with an emphasis on local ingredients. The homemade bread, flavoured with lemon and tarragon, was excellent and I loved the amuse bouch – a soup of yellow pepper with orange and oregano served in an espresso cup with a dash of oil on top. For my starter I had the bahjees. A lovely, light combination of aubergine and potato accompanied by a mint yoghurt and a mint Chutney. My main course was comprised of two crab salmon fish cakes garnished with potato, miniature sweetcorn, asparagus and samphire – all slightly al dente which was perfect for me. I did not have a dessert with that meal but I finished my second dinner there with a sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice-cream. The pudding was light and fluffy, the sauce sticky and sumptuous and the vanilla ice-cream a perfect match.
Crab and Salmon Fishcakes at Cedar Manor Hotel in Windermere, Cumbria, UK
Cedar Manor is also very conscious of the impact tourism has on our environment and their awards include the Green Tourism Gold Award. I enjoyed using their REN bio-active toiletries and their Fine Bedding is made by a company very conscious of the need for sustainability. As the hotel is conveniently located a short walk from Windermere station and Windermere town centre town centre. A sotp for local buses is very close to the hotel and Windermere is surrounded by a network of paths guests can park the car and walk or take the bus to explore the area. Bowness Pier is also within walking distance for cruises, ferries and boat hire on Lake Windermere.
Cedar Manor Hotel in Windermere, Cumbria, UK
Getting to Windermere
Virgin trains run a service from London Euston to Oxenholme. There is a local connection from Oxenholme to Windermere. Local buses run from the station to the hotel but it is within walking distance.
This article was based on the personal experience of Valery, an ExperiencedTraveller.