Andrew Wildsmith updates third hotel with ex-Rogan chef in the kitchen
The owner of two hotels in the northwest of England has added a third property to his portfolio with the acquisition of the 21-bedroom Forest Side hotel is Grasmere, Cumbria.
Andrew Wildsmith, who already owns the 10-bedroom Hipping Hall in Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire, and the 26-bedroom Ryebeck hotel in Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, is currently overseeing the renovation of Forest Side, which is due to reopen in July.
Forest Side is located within 42 acres of group with a Victorian kitchen garden, where produce will be grown for Tickle's menus. Tickle will also use his foraging experience to make use of ingredients found within and beyond the estate.
Work is also being undertaken on extending and improving Wildsmiths' two other hotels. The Grade II listed Hipping Hall, which holds three AA rosettes, will open an additional five bedrooms in stables adjacent to the hotel later this year. Meanwhile, the Ryebeck is to undergo a refurbishment with the aim of taking the hotel to a four-red-AA-star, three rosette property over the next two years.
Wildsmith achieved a doctorate in chemistry from Cambridge University before switching careers to hospitality, with the purchase of Hipping Hall 10 years ago.
