Windermere Hotel, Kendal Road, (Birthwaite) Windermere

Opened on 12 May 1847, to attract visitors from the newly opened railway from Keswick. The railway terminated at Birthwaite which the railway company re-named Windermere. Richard Rigg was the first proprietor of the hotel (which he re-named Rigg’s Windermere Hotel) and also ran four-in hand coaches to Keswick and coaches across the Lake District.

TO BE LET, the WINDERMERE HOTEL, now erecting at Birthwaite, the Lake terminus of the Kendal and Windermere Railway, under tbc direction of the Company, and supported by them. The hotel will contain seven entertaining rooms, about forty bedrooms and all the conveniences of a modern building and will be completed early in the ensuing spring 1847when the railway will be opened. Applications must contain a tender for the amount of rent, and of the length of term proposed by the taker, and must be sent in on or before the 1st of November next to Mr. THOMAS HUDSON, secretary of the company, at the Railway Offices, Kendal, from whom further information may be obtained; as well as Mr Ullock, Quarry Howe, Bowness. Plans of the building may be seen at Mr Miles Thompson's architect, Kendal. - Kendal 10 October 1846. [Manchester Guardian 14 October 1846 page 1]

RIGG'S WINDERMERE HOTEL - At this Establishment, Families and others visiting the Lakes' District will meet with every accommodation and attention, combined with moderate charges. The Hotel is on an eminence immediately above the terminus of the Kendal and Windermere Railway, and is so situated as to prevent the least inconvenience or annoyance from the traffic. The views of mountain and lake scenery commanded from the windows of the Hotel are unsurpassed by any in the district — the Lake Windermere, with its numerous islands, being seen nearly to its utmost extent. Open and Close Carriages, Cars, and Post-Horses always in readiness. [Complete Guide to the English Lakes 1855]

The hotel was built by the local family firm, Pattinsons, with Abraham Pattinson being in charge at the time and the architect was Miles Thompson. The hotel officially opened on 12 May 1847.