A tourism boss has left his life in London to buy a hotel near Keswick for around £830,000.

Philip Nettleton, who worked for VisitEngland, has relocated to the Lake District with his wife Charlotte.

The couple have bought Rickerby Grange, in Portinscale, from owners Des and Carol Taylorson, who are retiring.

The deal was brokered by real estate advisors Colliers International.

Rickerby Grange was built in the 1920s as the grange to Rickerby Farm.

It has 10 en suite letting bedrooms, a separate three-bedroom owners’ flat, gardens and car parking.

Haydn Spedding, associate director, hotels agency at the Manchester office of Colliers International, secured the deal.

He said it reflected the ongoing appeal of the Lake District National Park hospitality sector.

He added: “Philip’s knowledge of the many work and lifestyle attractions of the Lake District through his work at VisitEngland played a key role in helping him and Charlotte to decide to relocate by acquiring Rickerby Grange.

“We now have offers or definite interest from credible buyers in almost all of the hotels and guest houses on our books in the North Lakes area. This is the latest of more than 30 sales in the past two years."