A Cumbrian hotel is using pedal power to take some of its most sophisticated produce to remote areas of the Lake District.
Inspired by the latest exploits of British riders in the Tour de France, Waterhead Boutique Hotel and Dining in Ambleside has introduced a vintage ‘gin bike’ to carry free taster samples of locally produced and premium gins for visitors and residents to try.
Pedalled up hill and down dale by some of the fitter members of the hotel’s hospitality team, the gin bike is making appearances not only along the shores of Windermere and at Low Wood Bay Marina, but also up in the far flung fellsides of the Langdales and Kirkstone Pass.
In the coming days and weeks, it is to feature at Ambleside Sports day, Tarn Hows, Coniston Water, as well as around the Waterhead area and Ambleside.
The hotel has also launched a competition to encourage people to look out for the gin bike and take photographs with it in unusual or prominent Lake District settings. At the end of the summer, two lucky winners will be treated to a complementary stay at the hotel and gin and tonic tasting experience.
Waterhead’s hotel manager Anthony Sutcliffe explains: “Cycling has become a highly popular pastime for many Lake District visitors. The gin bike is a great way of getting out and about and engaging with walkers, other cyclists and local people to let them learn more about the art of gin cocktails. There are so many flavours and tastes they can enjoy here at the Waterhead as our gin collection continues to grow.
Waterhead hotel manager Anthony Sutcliffe with the gin bike
“The gin bike features a range of different gin miniatures, including the Lakes Distillery’s locally produced The Lakes Gin, Bedrock Gin which uses botanicals from the local area, Pickerings Gin from Scotland and Williams Chase Gin from Herefordshire. The idea has taken on a life of its own with pictures appearing, so we decided to launch a competition as well.”
If you see the gin bike, all you have to do for a chance to win a stay at the hotel is grab a photo selfie with it and post on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #WaterheadGinCycle.
The Lake District’s only four-star town house hotel, which is run by English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, has developed a reputation for an exotic gin and tonic menu with special twists, signature garnishes and themed flavours.
As well as having a vast selection of gins, the Waterhead also stocks the complete range of Fever-Tree mixers and tonic as the hotel recognises the importance of serving a premium tonic to accompany the chosen gin.
Katie Sanders from English Lakes Hotels with Waterhead gin bike
The hotel’s skilled cocktail experts have designed an extensive G&T menu celebrating traditional and local premium gins and fashionable tonics infused with pomegranate and elderflower. Flavours include basil and lime signature garnishes, as well as the addition of more unusual but tasty juniper berries, cardamom pods or fresh rosemary.
The Waterhead also holds regular gin tasting events for guests to experiment with flavours an talk to gin distillers from around the UK. The next gin night is to be hosted by Williams Chase and Fever-Tree Tonic in September.
For further information about English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, visit englishlakes.co.uk
