About Us &
Our Home
History
The House
Built in 1877, Allerdale House was one of the first houses on Eskin Street, at the beginning of a large period of building of the Victorian back streets that now surround us. The house was built for a local dignitary – the Allerdale town planner, and hence occupies a prominent corner position right at the top of the street, and boasts generous proportions, particularly the large entrance hall and wide open staircase that winds up through the middle of the house. The house retains many of its Victorian features, and when it’s not raining (!) the courtyard garden area is south facing and catches the sun for most of the day. Its so spacious you won’t really see much of us – we live in the rear annexe so you won’t bump into us in the middle of the night on the stairs!
Your Hosts
Mat and Leigh Richards
Unlike many of the Guest Houses in Keswick, Allerdale House is owned and run by a ‘local’ couple (although Mat doesn’t quite qualify having only lived here for 17 years !)
Leigh is the eldest granddaughter of local outdoor legend George Fisher, and has lived in Keswick for most of her life. She grew up around the outdoor industry as it developed in Keswick – Fisher’s was the first dedicated outdoor shop in the area, and despite no longer being owned by the family, still carries the name today. You can get tales of George, the shop, his climbing and work founding the local mountain rescue from Leigh over breakfast, not to mention tales of George the grandad! Leigh was once one of Cumbria’s most in-demand dressmakers; she now applies her creative talents to our house and particularly her baking!
Mat is originally from South Wales, although the accent is long gone after a lifetime living in northern English cities, and most recently, Keswick. A career journeyman, having worked in education, construction, catering and the music industry, quality breakfasts are now his game. Mat’s grandfather was somewhat of a legend of his own; a holocaust refugee from Nazi Germany at the tender age of 14 he went on to become a British secret agent during the war, fighting against his own country behind enemy lines in northern Italy.
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We book up well in advance at popular times of the year.
5% discount for stays of 7 days or more.
