OUR STORY
For those of you yet to visit, our names are Francesca and Ben and we're the couple behind this gloriously happy haven, tucked away between Lorton and Cockermouth.
We're a family run business, so you might well see one of our pals, whether four legged or two at breakfast, in the garden or pulling a pint in the Knight's Ruin bar. We'd be rather lost without them.
We met at Rio carnival while individually travelling around South America and had an idea over a drink of Coco Loco. Well that Coco Loco has a lot to answer for. Putting our dream into reality really only came into play when we found Low Hall in the Lake District, where Francesca grew up. We fell well and truly bobble hat over boots. So in October 2017, we said goodbye to our little flat in Walthamstow and drove all our worldly possessions up t'north.
From then we didn't stop and haven't stopped come to think of it. The house itself dates back to around 1645 and you can really feel all the warmth and love engrained in the walls – this giving us a beautiful starting point. Pulling out all of the original character, we have dramatised the house's quirks with deep tones, handpicked antiques and unique furnishings and art (many an afternoon has been lost to the local auction). Creating a home for all with an atmosphere that's as vibrant as it is chilled.
Our first room was ready in February 2018 (big up to Sabrina and Mike our first EVER guests) and the whole house was ready just in time for Easter, where every room was full of lovely people.
Then it was outside to stage two, the barn, christened the Lovable Old Barn. Very much like the house we had jaw dropping canvas to work with, gorgeous beams and Lakeland stone walls, all we really had to do was make it party ready. And oh what a party we had as our first wedding here back in June 2018 for Francesca's bro's. Since then we've done a shed load more work in and outside of the barn, inside the farmhouse and in the gardens, we got a little four-legged rascal named Basil (careful, he's likely to try and catapult in to your car before you've stepped out, apologies!). Then following Basil, we've got two gorgeous little boys who are shaping up for garden duties nicely.
Oh and we got hitched here in May '19 too! We had to test it out ay!
Our wedding team has grown too, we've now got a small and very mighty crew of absolute heroes, who we can safely say are brilliant people and will bend over anything to ensure every one's glasses are full, are well looked after and made to feel right at home. Heading up our team is the lovely Rosie, a Low Hall bride herself, she's the bee's knees and simply the best wedding wing woman you could ever dream of.
We've honestly loved each and every one of our weddings - what a day to be a part of, it's the biggest honour and absolute joy.
As keeno travellers ourselves we set out to create a home not just for ourselves but one for others to love too. And seeing guests enjoying the house, partying in the barn, guzzling wine by the fire with old pals and saying 'I do', really has made every long day, late night and missed birthday completely worth it.
We look forward to welcoming you in too.
Ben & Francesca
Otis, Woody & of course, Basil
x x
KIND WORDS BY LOVELY PEOPLE
"Prepare for anachronistic enchantment rolled up in modern luxury and thoughtful, well designed spaces and amenities! The words which spring to mind for Ben and Francesca as hosts are: amiable, thoughtful, bright, shiny(!), fun, super-responsive, and CREATIVE. You‘ll not find a nicer stay in the Lakes District than the one to be had with Low Hall the Lakes as your base. Enjoy!"
Yvette
"As a makeup artist covering Scotland and the Lake District, I’ve had the pleasure of getting bridal parties ready in many wonderful locations... Low Hall is just fantastic and a venue I will definitely be recommending to future brides/grooms to be! It has the most amazing views, the buildings have such character and Fran and Ben are wonderful hosts offering a very bespoke service."
Fiona Whittet
"We thought we'd have a long engagement, but after speaking with @lowhallthelakes about their venue and micro weddings, we just thought screw Covid, let's do it! Let's get hitched!
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful place to say "I do" and we can't thank Francesca and Ben enough for arranging all of our suppliers in just a matter of weeks! Their attention to detail and style suited us down to a tee, so we trusted them with everything.
All that was left for us to do was find THE DRESS, a lush suit and a couple of gold rings to seal the deal!
A huge thank you to all of our suppliers. Francesca and Ben, your taste is impeccable!"
Beth + Ben 19.09.2020
PICTURES FROM ALONG THE WAY