Gilsland Spa, Historic hotel building in Gilsland, Cumbria, England.
Gilsland Spa is a hotel building in Cumbria situated at the edge of Northumberland National Park, offering about 94 rooms across multiple floors. The property spreads over 140 acres of gardens and woodland, with several public areas including a central ballroom, Galloway's Bar, The Orangery, and Hadrian's Cafe Bar.
The property was originally known as The Shaws in the 1760s until a fire in 1859 destroyed the first building, after which local landowner G. G. Mounsey constructed a replacement. During the World Wars, its purpose changed as it housed recovering soldiers and later provided care for expectant mothers.
The building served as a military recovery facility and later a maternity ward, playing an important role for the community during wartime. Visitors can walk through spaces that once cared for soldiers and expectant mothers, revealing how the place adapted to serve different needs.
The building sits within extensive woodland grounds offering plenty of space for walking and exploring the surroundings. The interior is divided into several areas, so visitors should allow time to discover the different bars and public rooms throughout the property.
A sulphurous spring emerges from a cliff below the building, giving the place its original Spa name. Visitors can still see the remains of the original spa well and a Victorian swimming pool beside the River Irthing.
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