A look back through the years at the award winning 17th century Bay Horse Inn Hotel and Restaurant at Canal Foot at Ulverston

The Bay Horse was formerly a 17th Century coaching Inn where, in days gone by, travellers would rest before making the treacherous journey by horse-drawn coach across the Morecambe Bay sands to Lancaster.

In 1988 it was reported that what was then called the Bay Horse Inn had built and opened a conservatory restaurant providing an intimate dining area with panoramic views of Chapel Island and Morecambe Bay.

Chef Robert Lyons was in charge and planned to provide the same high standard of cuisine that he had done at the Miller Howe restaurant at Windermere.

The aim was to attract major local companies which needed to entertain guests on an almost daily basis.

Mr Lyons would be assisted in the running of the business by manageress Lesley Wheeler and restaurant manager Peter McKinnon, from Lancaster.

On the opening day menu, diners had a choice of four starters and four main courses (lamb, veal, trout and chicken dishes).

And the sweet course included the famous Miller Howe sticky toffee pudding.

In 1992 Mr Lyons appeared on a new TV series. He was seen having lunch with television presenter Loyd Grossman for a 13-week series of ITV’s This Morning programme. It featured Mr Lyons cooking Lakeland lamb baked in hay.

In 1995 the Bay Horse was ranked among the top 14 restaurants in the country by the Courvoisier Best guide.

It was also reported that year that Mr Lyons and Mr McKinnon were planning to run cookery demonstrations and lessons. A new kitchen area had been built which would accommodate ten food lovers eager to learn.

In 1997 the Bay Horse celebrated success in the Loo of the Year Awards.

It won the award for having the best pub loo from among entries throughout the North West of England.