The History of Dale Head Hall Hotel Keswick

The oldest part of the main house dates back to the early 16th Century. In 1577 Adam Leathes bought Dale Head Hall for £477 and brought his bride to live here. Successive generations of the Leathes family lived at Dale Head. During this period various extensions were added to the original building, the most important of which was the part that is now the entrance to the hotel, with lounge and bar overlooking the lake.

In 1877, on the death of Thomas Stanger-Leathes, the then Lord of the Manor of Legburthwaite and Wythburn, the entire estate, which included the valley and large parts of the fells on either side of the 2 small lakes, was purchased by Manchester Corporation. Their interest in the valley was to change the two lakes into one large reservoir, to provide the growing city of Manchester with clean drinking water. In 1879 the Corporation was granted Royal permission by Queen Victoria and work started on the building of the dam on the north side of the lake. Simultaneously the construction of an underground pipeline began. In 1894 the first water started its 100 mile journey to Manchester. There is now a plaque on the dam commemorating the centenary celebrations. Today the lake still provides the City with approx. 50m gallons each day.

In the meantime, the Hall was transformed into the Summer residence for the Lord Mayor of Manchester and served this purpose until 1985. By this time the Hall was severely run down and it was decided by the City Council to sell the property. In June 1990 the hotel transferred into private ownership and the long process was started to restore the property to its former glory. In 1992 a start was made with the conversion of the Stable block at the back of the hotel, into Self-Catering accommodation. This resulted in 5 luxury Suites. In September 1999 the old drying room and boiler house were demolished, to make way for the next stage in the development. On 1st July 2000 a new extension was opened adding 4 Superior Lakeside hotel rooms and 2 Lakeside Suites.

We are very proud of our home and hope that you will share our interest and enjoy your stay.