Published at 19:41, Thursday, 20 March 2008

LEADING Cumbrian hoteliers Charles and Kit Graves have added one of the Lake District’s best known family-run hotels to their portfolio.

Manchester business agents Christie and Co have sold the Borrowdale Hotel, which was owned by the Fidrmuc family for 35 years.

Although the sale price has not been disclosed, the 36-bedroom hotel was put on the market last year with offers of £3 million invited for the freehold interest.

The Borrowdale was built in 1866. There is a conservatory, bar/restaurant and private lounges throughout the ground floor of the hotel, which is three miles from Keswick alongside the Borrowdale valley road before Grange.

David Blythe, from Christie and Co’s Manchester Office, said: “The hotel was confidentially placed on the open market and offers in excess of £3m were invited.

“The successful purchasers are Mr and Mrs Charles Graves, who own and operate various other hotels within the area, including the Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Lodore Falls Hotel.”

The hotel, which is close to the popular climbing routes up Shepherd’s Crag, was bought in 1973 by Gunter and Jean Fidrmuc. Latterly it has been run by their son Peter and his wife Louise.

The new owners, Lake District Hotels, have six family-run hotels in the Lake District.

They already own the Skiddaw and King’s Arms Hotels in the centre of Keswick, the Lodore Falls Hotel in Borrowdale and the George,Penrith and the Inn on the Lake, Ullswater.

Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk