Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel

This is a house with a history. Beatrix Potter loved it so much that she told her mother to buy it. Mother did what she was told, which meant that Beatrix could stay here while doing the drawings for Timmy Tiptoes. Then, in the early nineteen thirties, a family with two sons bought it, one of whom has become a regular guest; though today it is owned by a retired Manchester businessman.

Whirling into this imposing, white-painted house, we’re welcomed by a receptionist who says: “Would you like me to show you around or would you prefer to go to your room first.” The room wins. Here, the bedside and table lamps have been switched on and, being on the corner of the building, it has two views: one of the garden, another with a sliver of lake in the distance. What’s more, there are two small armchairs and a TV with a DVD player. There is even a page in the room folder saying what programs, including radio, are available.

As it has taken us so long to get here, we almost forget we haven’t done the Grand Tour. Going downstairs, dressed for drinks and dinner, the receptionist asks if we’d like to do it now; beginning with the Beatrix Potter library. “You are welcome to read the books, but please put them back when you leave,” she says. “You can also use this computer with internet access.”

Next door is The Hilltop Lounge – Hilltop being the name of Beatrix’s farm – plus yet another sitting-room, this time with a blazing fire. Off this room is a small bar where parents can watch their children in the swimming pool. Next we’re taken to see the pool which is complete with piles of towels, though - trust us – we’ve arrived minus swimming gear. There’s also a large aviary full of finches. “Yes, they’re pretty, but very noisy,” she says.

Back in the sitting-room, Sunil, the restaurant manager, brings our drinks (half of bitter and the bottle of wine we have ordered for dinner, plus a glass so that I can make a start on it) and then, just as if we’ve ordered cocktails, a tray of olives, two smoked salmon canapés and some cheese straws arrive.

He then brings menus (there is also a children’s High Tea Menu) which start with the ‘Opening Act’; from this I choose garlic-rubbed brochette with marinated figs and mozzarella; and, from the Main Performance, roasted cod fillet on a warm salad of puy lentil; while he opts for balontine of goosnargh duck with pistachio nuts and cranberry and orange chutney, then braised fillet of pork cooked with brandy, pancetta, olive-oil-mashed potatoes, rub shallots and a cider and rosemary reduction.

In the dining-room, candles are on the tables and the lights are dimmed. I enjoy all of mine, and particularly like the little dishes of butter which have their lids propped open, and the way glasses of iced water arrive without asking. My husband’s duck is, he says, like terrine but with the duck in bigger chunks. Then comes The Finale, in other words puddings, followed by coffee and petits fours. Remembering what Peter Rabbit’s mother gave him, I ask for camomile tea - this comes in a silver pot with a pot of hot water – while my husband gets a silver cafetiere. I can’t imagine why people complain when they are asked to dress up in restaurants, especially when the staff go to so much trouble to make the whole experience as memorable as this.

The little girls stay up late; they’re having a wonderful time, dashing outside, whispering to each other, conspiring as only little girls can, beneath the floodlit magnolia tree. Then they scurry off somewhere else.

Next morning The Daily Telegraph is delivered to our room; while, at breakfast, a generous help-yourself table has been laid out. Now we realise that even more children are staying and that the staff are treat them with exactly the same courtesy as they treat us. Not what one might expect in a country house hotel.

YOU CAN BOOK THIS HOTEL ONLINE

Since the review the hotel has undergone quite a lot of refurbishment.
We are now a 34 bedroom hotel which includes 2 new suites.

“Yes, the hotel is posh, but it’s not pretentious and it is walker friendly too – all they ask is for boots to be left outside.” says John Nash in the Express and Star. Read his review here

 Another journalist writing in The Press, which is based in York includes this comment “Lindeth Howe seems to specialise in young, efficient and friendly staff who set the tone for a spot of rest and relaxation.”  Read the full report here