A leading Cumbrian tourism business says its self-catering business has grown by a third in just 12 months.

The owners of the 40 acre Lingholm Estate near Keswick say accommodation bookings are up by 35 per cent compared to the same period in the previous year.

It follows major investment since the end of 2017, to bring the number of self-catering properties available to visitors to 11.

It includes Rosetrees, a Victorian house split over eight levels which was designed by prominent Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse.

The main Lingholm Mansion also recently unveiled the transformation of its showpiece Derwentwater apartment, which is the estate’s most ambitious renovation to date.

Meanwhile, the final stage of an ambitious plan to transform a once derelict Boathouse overlooking Derwentwater is now nearing completion and will be available to visitors from April.

David Seymour, owner of the Lingholm Estate, said: “Looking back over the last 12 months, we are feeling very positive about the steady growth and development of our self-catering business.

“We were even full in some of the traditionally quieter months, like November, which does indicate that there is a real appetite for staycations at the moment.

“The boathouse, which is set to be a contemporary architectural feature on the lakeshore.

“The intricate work needed to preserve the shoreline’s natural beauty means it has been a complex piece of construction.

“It’s an exciting project and something we’ve been working towards since we took over the estate just over five years ago.

“We want it to be a truly special building which will stand the test of time.”