About Us
Lake District Country Hotels (LDCH) is a family-owned collection of three charming, award-winning country-house hotels nestled in the heart of the breathtaking Lake District National Park.
With the lakeshore elegance of Cragwood Country House Hotel, the elevated lake-view grandeur of Merewood Country House Hotel and the woodland-garden tranquillity of Briery Wood Country House Hotel, across the group we offer a truly memorable country-house experience.
Our Story
The Lake District Country Hotels journey began with David Williams and a couple of friends, who founded the people-development company Impact International in the early 1980s.
Drawn irresistibly to the Lake District, where David Williams had studied at Kelsick Grammar and later made his home, the company purchased Cragwood Country House in 1985 as the base for its training programmes.
From there, the hotel collection grew: Merewood followed in 1994, and then Briery Wood in 1998. Each of our hotels brought its own distinct charm and character to the collection, shaping the welcoming and people-focused hospitality experience that now defines Lake District Country Hotels.
Alongside Impact International and Lake District Country Hotels, David’s passion for the land never faded: to this day he rears highland cattle and rare-breed sheep on the grounds of the hotels, bringing a real farm-to-fork ethos to the guest experience.
Our People-first Philosophy
At LDCH, people are always at the heart of everything we do. We are a “people-first” company, which means:
- Treating our staff as part of the family: offering genuine development, a safe and welcoming workplace and opportunities to flourish. Which is why we launched our LDCH Training Academy
- Providing our guests with the finest Lake District country-house experience: setting, service, comfort and authenticity all matter
- Maintaining local roots: we champion local suppliers, local produce and local partnerships wherever we can
- Respecting our breathtaking environment: from the period architecture of our hotels to the rolling fields and woodland surrounding them, we are committed to protecting and preserving their unique setting
Why Our Hotels Are Special
- Cragwood Country House: set right on the shores of Lake Windermere, England’s largest natural lake, this late-19th-century private residence turned charming country house hotel is surrounded by award-winning gardens across a twenty-acre estate
- Merewood Country House: built in 1812, this traditional country house hotel is perched above Lake Windermere with sweeping lake views. Merewood offers a tranquil retreat with twenty acres of woodland and landscaped gardens, grazing Highland cattle and a magnificent lake-view terrace
- Briery Wood Country House: a stone’s throw away from Lake Windermere, Briery Wood sits within seven acres of woodland and award-winning gardens, creating a truly peaceful setting. The grounds also play a small part in our wider farming heritage, providing space for some of our Highland cattle and sheep to roam
Each of LDCH’s country house hotels has its own unique personality, but all three share one thing: a commitment to exceptional service and a truly welcoming Lake District experience.
Our Commitment
Lake District Country Hotels is committed to providing:
- A welcoming yet refined hotel experience in the heart of the Lake District
- Genuine connections – particularly between guests and our setting, between our team and guests, between the land and our kitchens
- Excellent service built on in integrity, friendliness and authenticity
- A sustainable and community-minded approach: local sourcing, caring for the land and being mindful of our impact
- A workplace where people feel proud, supported and motivated to give their best
Why Not Visit Us?
Whether you’re seeking a relaxing break, somewhere to celebrate in the countryside or simply a stay in the Lake District, we would love to welcome you to experience Lake District Country Hotels.
