Overwater Hall Hotel, Ireby

Histoire

Set in 18 acres of gardens and nursery woodland, Overwater Hall is a fine example of an elegant and authentic Country House Hotel.

One of the principal mansions in the area, and having been occupied by the Cumbrian family, the Gillbanks, as far back as 1814, the Grade II listed Hall has been designated as a building of architectural and historic interst.

In 1952 the new owner of Overwater Hall, then known as Whitefield House, wrote the following lines concerning his recent purchase;“…I have attained what might have been a life’s ambition, for I have moved house to where I have always wanted to live. I have bought the great old house of Whitefield, lying snug and secure away from all hurricane and horrid blast.”

Certainly the valley between Binsey and Skiddaw Forest does greatly enjoy the protection of the surrounding fells. It was perhaps for this reason that centuries before this present house was built, the valley was chosen by the Romans as the site for some rather special barracks.

The Ordnance Survey map for this area clearly shows the location of the encampment, just a couple of hundred yards from the hotel.

It is said that the area may have been used for the recreation and enjoyment of weary soldiers, perhaps those relieved from duty at other camps in the area, even from Hadrian’s Wall itself. This may be fanciful thinking, but if true one could claim that people have been taking holidays at Overwater for almost two thousand years.

The name of the present building has changed over the years since it was built. Originally it was called Whitefield House, but in the early part of the last century its name changed to Overwater Hall. In the 1950s it reverted back to the former name, and a decade later it became Overwater Hall once more. “Overwater” refers to the tarn which lies some 500 yards to the northeast. The name is apparently derived from an old Norse word (Orri), which was both a personal name and the name for black grouse. The original meaning of Over Water, therefore, was either “Orri’s Tarn”, or “The Tarn where the Black Grouse are found”.

Restauration et Boissons

Breakfast at Overwater Hall is guaranteed to set you up for the day.  Fully waiter-served and with fresh linen napkins, as Paddy Burt once said, 'This is a place that understands breakfast'.

Morning coffee, light lunches and traditional afternoon tea are all available daily, except Mondays.

For many of our guests dinner is the highlight of a stay at Overwater Hall. Our kitchen team makes imaginative use of fresh local produce wherever possible.  A four course table d'hote dinner menu is offered every evening, preceded by delicious canapes and rounded off with homemade petit fours and Fairtrade coffee - just the job after a hard day on the fells!

Our well stocked bar is open all day to residents and our wine list offers a good selection of popular choices, as well as one or two more unusual wines.

Espaces verts et alentours

Set in 18 acres of nursery woodland and formal gardens, Overwater Hall is truly secluded. Native trees were planted in 14 acres some 15 years ago; raised beds were constructed two years ago in the formal gardens and have been planted with herbs and fruit bushes for the kitchen and flowers for the hotel.  The beds to the front of the hotel are crying out for roses, but our resident deer population make this unrealistic.

Red squirrels live in the gardens and bird feeders attract a huge variety of birds including the charming Nuthatch and the vibrant Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

Plus d'informations

Free car parking available on-site. Wake up calls available and porter service. Free Wi-Fi.