Nestled in the heart of the English Lake District, Rothay Manor is an elegant country house retreat, the perfect escape from the stresses of modern living. Step into a realm of old-world charm: relax by one of our roaring fires, indulge in our fine dining cuisine, or take a gentle stroll to England’s largest lake.
Built in 1823 by a wealthy merchant from Liverpool, and converted to a hotel in 1936, Rothay Manor is steeped in history, and still retains many delightful Regency features. Rothay Manor is the ideal place for your memorable stay in Ambleside and the Lake District.
Relish restful nights in one of our 19 unique bedrooms. Slump into huge beds, with Egyptian cotton bedlinen and feather pillows and duvets. Enjoy modern amenities in charming comfort with all that you require for an indulgent break in our peaceful country house hotel.
A stay with us also includes use of a nearby leisure centre, so you can take shelter and relax when the weather is bad or sooth aching muscles after a hard day on the fells.
ACCESSIBILITY
Introduction
The hotel is situated on a level site ¼ mile from the centre of Ambleside and ¼ mile in the opposite direction to the head of Windermere Lake with good, level pathways to both the town and the lake, with lowered curbs that allow easy wheelchair access. We have 16 rooms and 3 suites offering single, double, twin or family accommodation We pride ourselves on delivering a high standard of service to all our guests, and encourage this through detailed staff training.
Pre‐Arrival
- For any assistance you may require prior to arrival, please contact us on 015394 33605
- The centre of town is a 5 – 10 minute walk away
- Windermere station is 5 miles away. Buses and taxis are available there.
- We have a list of taxi companies who offer accessible taxis
- We have a list of local equipment hirers that is available on request
Arrival & Car Parking Facilities
- There is one dedicated Disabled Parking space at the front of the hotel for Blue Badge holders
- There is a designated Disabled Entrance at the side of the hotel which has level access to the ground floor of the hotel
- The main entrance to the hotel has 1 small step and there is a portable ramp in the porch if preferred
Main Entrance & Reception
- There is 1 small step at the main entrance into the lobby. Please take care on entering, especially if the door is already open.
- The Reception desk is straight in front of you at the end of the hallway
- The reception desk is 105cm high. Registration can be completed whilst sitting in the lounge(s) and we have clipboards available
- The registration card can be enlarged if required
- To the left of reception is the entrance to the wheelchair accessible Ground Floor Room Opposite reception are 2 short flights of easy tread stairs leading to most of the other bedrooms. (We do not have a lift)
- To the right of reception with completely level access are the lounges and bar, with the dining room leading off.
- The floor surface once inside the main entrance door is carpeted, apart from the lobby leading to the toilets. The lobby and ladies toilet floors are wood, while the men’s are slate tiles. Please ask if you require assistance.
Restaurant / Dining Room, Bar & Lounges
- There are 2 lounges, one either side of the main hallway. Both have level entry and are carpeted and have plenty of space for a wheelchair
- Both have coffee tables of varying shapes and sizes, and a choice of sofas and tub chairs. Higher, more upright chairs are available on request
- There is a bar situated in the lounge to the left of reception
- Table service is offered in the bar
- Lighting is mainly natural daylight (from large windows overlooking the garden) augmented by wall and ceiling lights.The restaurant is table service only
- Menus are available in large print and staff will automatically take you through the menu and choices for the meal.
- Lighting is mainly natural daylight whilst for the evening meal lighting is low level with candles on the table. Lighting can be increased at certain tables if required.
- We are able to cater for varying dietary needs, please advise staff on booking. Staff are happy to help with selecting from the breakfast buffet
- Tables are reserved near to the restaurant entrance for guests with mobility issues
Public Areas – WC
- There are public toilets in the lobby down the hallway from reception, one of which is a unisex accessible toilet
This toilet offers:
- 150x130cm free space free of obstacles and doors
- 70cm of transfer space to the right of the toilet
- Floor is smooth slate tiles
- There is a vertical rail on the left hand side of the toilet
- There are horizontal rails on both sides opposite of the toilet
- There are lever taps on the sink
- The room is brightly lit with colour contrast between toilet fittings and walls
- There is a unisex toilet in the corridor to the right of the Brathay Room
Bedrooms
There are 2 accessible bedrooms (one on the ground floor in the hotel, and one 2‐bedroomed suite in the grounds), which provide specific facilities for guests with disability these include:
- Wide but light easy to open entry doors
- Separate seating area
- Plenty of free space for wheelchairs to manoeuvre in both the bedroom and bathroom
- Level entry showers
- Grab rails around shower (vertical and horizontal)
- Self‐propelled shower wheelchair available on request
- Grab rails either side of the toilet – horizontal and vertical
- Seat raiser for toilets where required
- Storage and wardrobe hanging adjustable to needs
- Transfer space and turning of at least 90cm either side of beds
- Twin or double bed combinations available
- Emergency procedures clearly written and in large print
- Television with remote control and video player
- Flooring in bedrooms is short pile carpet
- Flooring in bathroom is non slip laminate
- Lighting levels are controllable and reading lamps are provided
- A mini fridge is supplied in the suite
- Bedding can be all non‐feather on request
- Bowls can be provided for assistance dogs food and water
- All rooms are non‐smoking
- The furniture is flexible in the room and items can be moved or removed on request.
Conference & Meeting Rooms
- We have 1 conference / meeting room (the Brathay Room) on the ground floor which has level access from all areas of the hotel.
- The room is accessed through a single door 80cm wide
- There is natural daylight in the room from French windows leading out onto a terraced area (over a small step) augmented buy wall and ceiling lights. Lighting is even
- Please notify conference organisers in advance if any additional services are required for conferences e.g. interpreters, specific seating or staging, as we do try to accommodate everyone’s needs where possible.
- There are toilets available are as listed above.
Laundry
- Laundry service is offered. Bags are available in bedrooms and if given to reception by 9am, can be returned by 5pm that day. Bags can be collected from bedrooms on request.
Grounds and Gardens
- The car park is laid to gravel.
- The gardens are mainly lawned with well‐established flowerbeds and trees.
- There is a path leading all the way around the garden that is suitable for wheelchair users
Leisure Facilities
- The hotel has no leisure facilities
Additional Information
- If you require any assistance during your stay please contact reception. The Duty Manager can also be contacted via reception.
- Room service is available free‐of‐charge for breakfast and dinner
- We have a set evacuation procedure for basic information ‐ Alarm bells are a continuous alarm. Someone will come to your room and assist with evacuation either out of the building or to a refuge.
- All front house staff has regular training which includes disability awareness training
- The hotel has 2 wheelchairs that can be borrowed if required
- The National Trust ‘Access for All’ guidebook is available free‐of‐charge to our guests
- There is good network coverage for mobile phones within the hotel and bedrooms. As far as we are aware, all networks work.
- List of equipment hire companies available on request
- List of carer’s in the local area available on request
