Locals, residents, visitors, businesses and interested parties from Windermere and across the county are being invited to find out about the transformation of one of the area’s best-known landmarks, in a special community open weekend taking place next month.
Unmissable in its commanding position at the head of Windermere town, The Windermere Hotel is one of the area’s oldest, opening in 1847 to coincide with the construction of the local railway. Conspicuously swathed in scaffolding and protective cladding during extensive and sympathetic upgrades, the Victorian landmark has been the cause of much keen anticipation and conversation in the town.
With the spring 2027 opening getting closer, the team behind Elysium Windermere hotel and spa, and wider Collection, are holding two days of informal public drop-in sessions at the Marchesi Centre on Holly Road, Friday 16th and Saturday 17th October. Warmly invited to drop in anytime between 9:30am to 4:00pm each day, visitors can meet the people behind the project, ask questions, and find out more about the restoration and opening plans. Enjoying a taste of what will soon be on offer, the free event will include talks, a gifting preview, spa tasters and skincare as well as refreshments including prosecco and soft drinks.
With refurbishment focusing on celebrating the character and heritage of the original building, while giving it a new lease of life and twenty-first century comforts, the hotel will feature 74 bedrooms, a restaurant overseen by Stéphane Delourme, former Head Chef to Rick Stein and a spa and health club including outdoor pool, gym, sauna, steam room, cold plunge and four treatment rooms, all fully open to locals as well as guests. The project forms part of the newly-launched Elysium Collection, a family of British hotels, spas and health clubs created around surroundings and service that focus on the details that make an overnight stay, meal, or spa treatment feel warm and welcoming.
For Elysium Collection CIO James Routledge, the Windermere project represents a major investment in bringing a much-loved local building back to life: “We know how important this building is to the local community, and we want to invite people with us on the journey as we restore it and prepare it for its next chapter. We’re really looking forward to welcoming people from Windermere and the surrounding area to come and meet the team, find out what we’re working on, and share our plans for Elysium Windermere.”
A visual confirmation of honouring the Grade I listed property’s heritage and individuality includes the preservation of its traditional Lakeland Slate visage. On opening, the hotel is expected to offer the local economy a significant boost, creating up to 130 year-round full and part-time jobs, plus extensive supply chain support.
The Elysium Windermere public drop-in open weekend will be at Marchesi Centre, Holly Road, Windermere, 9:30am to 4:00pm Friday 16th and Saturday 17th October, no booking required.
