The pretty Borrowdale Valley is officially aglow as the Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa was joined by pupils from Borrowdale School on Wednesday 10th November to assist with their annual Christmas light switch on.

Over 40 children joined parents, teachers and staff to announce the results of the annual ‘design a Christmas card competition’. The 4 winners, selected by Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa General Manager, Marcell Cilliers, were given the important task of illuminating the exterior of the hotel and lighting up the valley to celebrate their achievement.

The event is held annually with the exception of 2020 in which the light switch on coincided with the November lockdown, so the hotel group wanted this year to be extra special to mark the occasion.

Furthermore, the 2021 switch on officially marked the 10th year of the Christmas card competition which symbolizes the thriving community partnership between Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa and Borrowdale School.

The 4 winners who designed the most eye-catching Christmas cards were named Matilda (Year 5), Matilda (Reception), Molly (Year 4) and Mark (Year 5).

Marcell, who hosted the competition for the first time, said, “It was excellent to have the children back and once again host the Christmas card competition after last year’s unexpected hiatus. The standard of this year’s competition entries was excellent which made picking the winners a difficult task! The event created an incredibly festive atmosphere throughout the hotel and I am thrilled that I finally got chance to be a part of this wonderful community event.”

The event also featured a special guest appearance from Santa Claus, who greeted the children from the hotel balcony, before visiting the conservatory where children got the chance to tell him what they wanted this Christmas.

The Christmas light switch on marks the beginning of the festive period at the Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa, which is part of the parent group Lake District Hotels. Over the Christmas period there will be a host of exciting events, tasty festive dining options and mesmerizing decorations across all 6 of the group’s hotels.

To find out more about what’s happening at the Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa this season, visit https://www.lakedistricthotels.net/lodorefalls/christmas-events.