AN Eden hotel is celebrating success a year after its award-winning spa facilities were launched following a £1 million investment.

The new facilities at the Appleby Manor Hotel and Garden Spa have led to a 41 per cent increase in the business’ turnover, as well as generating 15 new jobs.

During 2016 the hotel and spa also received a number of prestigious accolades, including Silver Star status from the AA, a top award in the Candis Spa Awards and a shortlist in The Cateys – a prestigious awards ceremony in the hotel industry – alongside The Ritz Hotel.

The spa has also been equipped with the latest in environmental technologies to conserve water and save energy, meaning it is one of the only carbon-neutral spas in the country.

Owner Mike Dunbobbin said: “We are overwhelmed with how successful 2016 has been for us. To have achieved these results in just over a year is something we’re incredibly proud of and are working hard at continuing in 2017 and beyond.

“The spa has helped us to attract customers from not only Cumbria and the surrounding regions, but internationally as well, and we’re now seeing travellers from across the globe paying us a visit to experience the range of treatments we offer.”

Appleby Manor, which has views over Appleby Castle and the Eden Valley, was built in 1871 for a wealthy solicitor, John Alcock Heelis, and was originally named Garbridge House.

The design of the building was by the noted architect Octavius Hansard and the work was carried out under his supervision.

It was constructed using pink sandstone cut at the nearby but now disused Heights Quarry. At one time the estate covered an extensive acreage and was planned to be completely self sufficient with walled gardens, greenhouses, a dairy and stabling. It was converted into a hotel in the late 1940s and renamed in the 1970s.