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A startling all-glass reception overlooking England's largest lake is the impressive entrance to Laura Ashley's second luxury hotel, opening today in Bowness-on-Windermere. 

The iconic British brand is famed for its muted palette and elegant prints, which now run amok through the grandly Victorian Belsfield Hotel following a £3.5m refurbishment.

Although the property is still owned by Corus Hotels, Laura Ashley's professional interior design service has brushed it finely up with the brand's infamous Home collections.

The stunning glazed reception by award-winning CT Architects - lit up at night and illuminating the views

In prime position on the edge of Lake Windermere, the hotel appeases for its rather clunky name, Laura Ashley The Belsfield Lake District, with breathtaking views of the lake and the Cumbrian hills, reminiscent of those Jane Austen's heroine Lizzie Bennett enjoyed in Pride And Prejudice.

The hotel combines timeless British elegance with contemporary style as Laura Ashley's discernible fabrics, furniture and fittings lavishly bedeck each of the 62 rooms and suites. 

Expect Egyptian cotton sheets and bathrooms indulgently warmed with underfloor heating in the rooms, which start from £150 per night for a double room, including breakfast for two.

Breath-taking views of the vast Lake Windermere covering almost six square miles and the fells beyond

The hotel provides an ideal natural setting for special occasions such as weddings or birthday celebrations

Wistful views of the snow-capped Langdale Pikes and the Fairfield Horseshoe accompany meals in the fine dining Belsfield Restaurant.

Local Cumbrian produce features extensively on the menu, which adds an inspired twist to traditional British dishes - such as wood pigeon with celeriac puree, followed by sea bass with samphire, clams and a toasted cucumber veloute.

Other Belsfield features include: a heated indoor swimming pool and sauna set in landscaped gardens for purists, plus plenty of spaces to conjure up romantic scenarios such as the elegant drawing room. library, and brasserie or idyllic garden terrace. 

Laura Ashley fans can buy all the contents of the sumptuously fitted bedrooms online

Underfloor heating gives the Laura Ashley bathrooms a further touch of decadence

The cocktail bar has been infused with a newly inspired cocktail list, including the signature Belsfield Breeze that gives a pineapple twist to the classic Caipirinha.

With facilities for up to 150 guests, set against a stunning backdrop, The Belsfield is billing itself as the perfect hideaway hotel for weddings and parties, but also work meetings, events, team building and conferences. 

The Belsfield is the second Laura Ashley hotel in the world, after The Manor Elstree, - a 49 bedroom timbered mansion house that sits in 10 acres of natural woodland.

Enjoy local Cumbrian produce in the vibrantly hued dining room with stunning Lake Windermere views

The Manor opened in July 2013, conveniently close to Central London in Hertfordshire; on a clear day you can see London landmarks such as Canary Wharf and The Shard from the hotel's Terrace Bar.  Former guests include Tom Cruise, John Cleese and David Hasselhoff.

Like The Manor, all of the decor at The Belsfield is available for guests to buy online from the Laura Ashley website, so you can recreate the dream at home.