A CELEBRATED wedding venue in South Lakeland has fully reopened following a one million pound transformation. 

Newby Bridge Hotel is back in business after it underwent an eight month refurbishment. 

The Georgian property lies at the tip of Windermere and closed in January for a complete renovation.

It partially reopened in March this year and is now open as normal. 

The work saw the hotel receive a new roof, a total refurbishment of its dining area and the construction of five new rooms. 

Newby Bridge Hotel was taken over by existing owners, Jonathan and Margaret Denby 23 years ago, who have managed to transform the property from a pub with less than 20 rooms into a major hotel with leisure facilities.

Mr Denby said: “Business is now six times greater than when we bought it. 

"Our occupancy rate has risen from 25 per cent a year to around 85 per cent. 

"Our guests are mainly British, and there’s a strong Japanese and emerging Chinese contingent who are around in the summer and autumn.

"Trade is much less seasonal than when we first started and we are particularly popular as a wedding venue."

The hotel, originally dubbed the Newby Bridge Mansion, was built in 1793 by James Machel.

It is believed to be one of the first great houses to be built around Windermere and was turned into a hotel in 1935. 

The hotel has played host to a number of stars during its long history, including celebrities such as Shirley Bassey who stayed there when performing at Morecambe. 

Despite this rich history, Mr Denby is determined not be stuck in the past and believes continuous upgrade is the key to success. 

He explained: "There’s a saying in the hotel industry that says: “What’s excellent today is good tomorrow and unsatisfactory the day after”. 

"I believe in continually upgrading to avoid suffering the fate of my predecessors.

“With the help of amazing local staff, who’ve been with us from day one and guests who keep coming back, we’ve transformed it from a pub with 17 rooms to a 45-bedroom hotel with leisure facilities, a beautiful folly and now a star-lit dining room that’s had a major make-over.”