A LAKE District hotel, praised for its state-of-the-art design and facilities, has played host to a royal visitor.

Brimstone, on the Langdale Estate, was toured yesterday by the Duke of Gloucester, a royal noted for his interest in architecture and conservation.

He was accompanied by Claire Hensman, the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, South Lakeland District Council member Coun Pru Jupe and the authority's chief executive Lawrence Conway.

The Brimstone, a 16 suite ‘beyond-boutique’ hotel which opened last summer, was recently named one of the Sunday Times Travel's 75 'most seductive' hotels.