Unique Lake District hotel opportunity comes to market priced £3m

A Grade II-listed mansion house in the heart of the Lake District National Park, with spectacular views over Derwentwater, is being sold by Knight Frank with a price tag of almost £3m.

Barrow House, just outside Keswick, is surrounded by hills and mountains and boasts one of Cumbria’s largest private waterfalls in the rear gardens.

Built originally as a private country house in the late 18th century it was converted to an hotel in the early 1900’s and has been operating as a youth hostel since 1961, providing accommodation for up to 88 people.

Ryan Lynn, Partner with Knight Frank, said: “Now the hostel operation has come to an end Barrow House is being brought to the market and we feel it would make a fantastic hotel again.

“It truly is one of a kind and a blank canvas to be a really lovely, cool venue developed by a purchaser with the right vision to take on this incredible opportunity.

“The Lake District continues to attract visitors not just from across the UK but internationally and its location close to the thriving town of Keswick just adds to the appeal.”

The main house retains many original features including ornate fireplaces and cornicing and was once visited by Queen Elizabeth II.

In addition to the main house there is an adjoining manager’s house and three detached wooden lodges in the grounds.

Barrow House waterfall

The current owners have had plans drawn up for a contemporary extension which would almost double the size of the property, although planning permission has not yet been sought.

John Snyder, who has owned the house since 2011, said: “We bought the property to safeguard the use of the building as an ongoing hostel, because so many chidren and students experienced the adventure and excitement of the outdoors right in the midst of the mountains, lake, waterfalls, and forest surrounding Barrow House.

“Many return as adults, including our own daughters who each had their wedding celebrations on the high terrace and extensive lawn overlooking the lake.”

He added: “Barrow House is simply stunning. It is a fantastic location surrounded by nature, yet so close to vibrant Keswick, ‘The Adventure Capital’ of the Lake District.

“The estate now deserves the right owner who can appreciate the majesty of the location and the growth opportunity here in the Northern Lakes to develop the potential of this fantastic building and bring it back to life.”