A LAKE District hotel has unveiled a £1 million investment that it hopes will help it appeal to 21st century guests.

The Lindeth Howe revamp includes new décor, a new tea room for conferences and weddings and refurbishment of its downstairs lounges and bar area.

Built in 1879, the Bowness-based hotel was owned by Beatrix Potter for almost 20 years and retains strong links with the writer and artist.

As well as creating a new space for events, conferences and weddings, Lindeth Howe has dropped ‘country house’ from its title in a bid to change outdated perceptions about the hotel.

The tea room is full of bright colours, with interior designers Stylise crafting the furniture at its Cheshire workshop. Investment in Lindeth Howe’s bedrooms features hand-made wardrobes created by Cumbrian craftsman Ryan Blackburn.

A new vegetable garden and outdoor seating area complete the transformation.

Hotel manager, Tony Holden, said: “We’re all very excited with the hotel’s new look, which I think still captures the spirit of Beatrix Potter’s love of nature and the Lake District landscape, but is very much appealing to 21st century leisure and conference guests. Lindeth Howe has a rich history and heritage, but like all businesses, we need to move with the times and this major investment is not only about offering returning customers a contemporary new experience, but also attracting national and international markets who may not have visited us before."