The House that moved

The history of the Log House in Ambleside is as remarkable as its appearance. It was imported by the famous Lakeland artist Alfred Heaton Cooper at the turn of the century from the Sogne region of Norway.
Cooper had married a local girl and built a studio beside a fjord at Balestrand before returning to England with his bride in 1894. He first settled in Bolton, then Southport and finally the Lake District where wealthy tourists promised a better living.
The red roofed cabin which Alfred had shipped from Norway caused quite a stir when it was first erected in Coniston. But the wealthy tourists did not come to the village and Alfred found more people seemed to be visiting Ambleside.
Today Cooper’s house is the Log House Restaurant where every night the chef’s turn out their own particular masterpieces.
Steve Edmondson who as a teenager had trials with Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End and Carlisle United bought “the house that moved” in its present location in November 1998.
The Log House was at the time being used as a climbing shop and the Edmondson family spent about a year renovating the property. No expense appears to have been spare in updating the Log House to its present splendour. I doubt whether old Alfred Heaton Cooper would recognise the building he brought from Norway over 100 years ago.
Steve went to Bali to buy furniture for the restaurant and overcame all the headaches to ship it to Ambleside. You get the impression when talking to the gritty business man that nothing is too much trouble. I was amazed at the carvings on the furniture which must have taken the artist weeks rather than days.
Certainly in the Log House restaurant nothing is any trouble at all and Lorna and I enjoyed two very pleasant days wining and dining in this historic house.
The en-suite rooms are warm and comfortable and ours had a view of the Lakeland Fells. The restaurant has only 18 covers which almost ensures each diner has individual attention and certainly individuality is the word that readily springs to mind when thinking of the Log House.
Our first dinner was delectable. We started with drinks in the well stocked bar area, a bottle of Chardonnay chilled to perfection before being shown to our table by the attentive waiter. He even carried our glasses and wine bucket - now that’s attention to detail.
I opted for the black pudding and Parma ham starter and Lorna chose the asparagus tips. For the main course we both opted for the lamb which in a word was mouth watering. Well this is the Lake District and if you can’t get good lamb here where can you? Everything was first class and the plates were piping hot. I never see the point in serving delicious food on cold plates something the chef at the Log House and I agree on.
The next morning before we set off for Grasmere and Windermere we enjoyed cereal, fresh fruit and a full English breakfast with tea, coffee and fruit juice. Attention to detail didn’t I tell you?
Our return that evening to the Log House, a hot shower before dinner and a relax in the bedroom which had TV, DVD player and video recorder.
At dinner Lorna opted for the Goat’s cheese twice baked soufflé whilst I once again chose the black pudding and Parma ham. Well it was delicious the first night and its not often I am allowed the luxury of black pudding with my waist line. For the main course Lorna ordered the Lamb shank and I tried something completely different - the cod. Both dishes were expertly prepared, well presented and tasted delicious.
We did not make dessert once again but did manage a liqueur and coffee but for those who do find a dessert really does conclude a meal you have a choice of Three Layered Chocolate Mousse served with white and dark chocolate sauce, caramelised lemon tart, sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream or a selection of home made Ice Creams. I know some American tourists sitting at the adjacent table were very impressed with the selection. There is also a selection of cheeses served with biscuits - well we are in the Lake District the home of some splendid cheeses.
I can imagine in the summer as well as the winter months the Log House will be extremely popular with residents and visitors alike but don’t take my word for it. Visit the Log House web site at http://www.loghouse.co.uk/index.htm and look at the menu, wonderful colour pictures of the delicious food and accommodation and maybe mention my little website when you book your weekend at the Log House, Ambleside.
Until we meet again, bon appetite.