A POPULAR Lake District hotel has been placed on the market - and could be yours for a cool £1.5million.

The Fisherbeck, an 18-bed hotel in Ambleside, is being sold through specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co.

Many of the hotel’s rooms offer mountain views with balconies and there is also a two bedroom self-catering apartment alongside a two bed owners’ flat with a terraced balcony.

The business has been in owners, Ray and Gill Lane’s family for nearly 40 years and boasts many accolades and awards which in turn have helped to generate net annual profits in excess of £140,000.

Mark Worley, Director at Christie & Co who is handling the sale, said: “The hotel enjoys an elevated main road position close to the centre of Ambleside but still benefits from off-road parking and glorious fell views.

"All 18 rooms are very well presented so this is certainly an attractive opportunity for a first-time lifestyle buyer or an experienced operator.”

Mr and Mrs Lane, who have been running the hotel for 22 years, said: “The hotel was a different place when we took over; there were no locks on any of the guest doors, no central heating and no en suites. How times have changed – one of our most enduring memories was the day we took ownership and because it was the height of the season we had to get on and serve dinner the same evening.

"We are now looking to take retirement and feel the time is right for someone else to take over the reins and take the business to next level.”

The Fisherbeck is for sale at an asking price of £1.475m for the freehold.