Windermere in Bloom award for hotel with stunning gardens

The team at Burn How garden house hotel won the Lakeland Ltd Cup and certificate for their perfectly looked after gardens.

The hotel has become famous for its secret garden, hidden away just one block from the lake at Bowness bay.

Michael Robinson, owner of the hotel, said: "Visitors are always surprised to see what lies within our grounds.

"We are very proud of our garden, originally designed by Thomas Mawson, and now beautifully cared for by our head gardener John Cartmell."

The trophy and certificate now on display at the Burn How hotel (Image: Cumbria PR)

Many thousands of visitors to the Lake District will have admired the work of Mawson, the most prolific garden, park and landscape maker of Edwardian times.

He designed, among many others, the magnificent gardens at Holehird, the headquarters of the Lakeland Horticultural Society; the splendid grounds of Holker Hall; and the formal gardens at Rydal Hall.

But this green-fingered landscape architect who designed parks and gardens for royal families in Europe, and lectured on garden design in the USA and Canada, was also responsible for the foundations of this small, hidden away garden in the heart of Bowness.

"It’s lovely to see our work recognised, and to know that our gardens are so well appreciated," Mr Robinson added.

Part of the gardens which helped the hotel win the award (Image: Cumbria PR)

On behalf of the owners, general assistant Melissa Steele collected the prize, which will now proudly sit on full display for visitors to the hotel to see.

The Windermere in Bloom Awards are hosted by the town council every year, and are open to all businesses, private dwellings, and community amenities within the parish of Windermere.

This competition enables competitors to show off their horticultural skills, not only for their own enjoyment, but also to make the area more enjoyable for holidaymakers and locals alike.