Windermere Hotel Historical Plaque

Plaque Is Unveiled!

Mounted by the front door to The Windermere Hotel is the first Windermere and Bowness Civic Society historical plaque. Following research into the history of the hotel and careful design by a dedicated team from the Civic Society, the plaque was manufactured by a local craftsman and mounted on the wall by a local building company. This is the first of many more plaques to come, which will create an historical walk around Windermere.

The wording on the plaque is:

“Rigg’s Windermere Hotel – This listed building, the first hotel in Windermere, was built by Abraham Pattinson and opened in 1847 to attract visitors from the newly opened railway. Richard Rigg was the first proprietor and a coach operator, his ‘four in hand’ coaches travelled over Dunmail Raise to Keswick”.

Master of ceremonies for the unveiling in early May was President of the Society, Barry Tullett, and we were delighted that Diana Matthews, a great-granddaughter of Abraham Pattinson who built the hotel, gave a most entertaining and informative speech before unveiling the plaque.

The Windermere Hotel then kindly served refreshments to the thirty or so members and guests which included the town mayor who attended the unveiling.

The picture shows the plaque by the front door to the hotel with Diana Matthews, Barry Tullett, Mayor Joan Stocker, and hotel manager Giles Norwood.

Rigg’s Windermere Hotel

Having recognised the first hotel in Windermere in this way, the Civic Society is working towards the next historical plaque in a series planned for Windermere and Bowness.

About The lake

Windermere is the largest natural lake in England and is known as a Ribbon Lake, these lakes are very narrow but very long, shaped like a finger. It was formed 13,000 years ago during the last major ice age by two glaciers. The lake contains 18 islands, of which the largest island is Belle Isle, which is privately owned. It is one of the country’s most popular places for holidays and summer homes since the arrival of the Kendal and Windermere Railway’s branch line in 1847. Windermere has also been the venue for the Great North Swim since 2008.

Why not take a look around The Windermere Hotel?

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