More About Us
The Westmorland Hotel's parent company is Westmorland Limited which includes the award-winning Tebay Services, Westmorland Caravan Park, Junction 38 Truck stop and the award winning visitor attraction - Rheged.
The story of Westmorland Limited began over 30 years ago. Back in the late 1960's, the developers of the M6 motorway approached John and Barbara Dunning, who farm at Tebay, with a view to building the M6 through their land. As very forward thinking people, The Dunning's, instead of opposing the development, worked with the developers to minimise the impact of the M6 motorway through their land at the Lune Gorge, prior to crossing Shap Summit. They also kept the land on either side of the Motorway and following a successful bid opened a small service area and hence in 1972, Westmorland Limited was formed when two local Cumbrian families, the Dunning's, and the Birkett's who are local bakers, came together.
1972
Tebay West Motorway Services opened on the northbound of the M6, near J38. Initially, comprising of a small service area with 28 staff, petrol facilities, a shop and a cafeteria with seating for 60 people
1976
Tebay Mountain Lodge Hotel opened with 32 rooms
1980
Tebay Caravan Park opened, with 83 caravan spaces
1986
The truck stop at Junction 38 opened, catering principally for HGV drivers and coach parties, featuring a shop, a bar and a restaurant seating up to 80 people
1988
Tebay West was completely redeveloped. A new forecourt and shop were built, doubling in size and the restaurant was extended to seat over 300 people.
1993
Tebay East opened on the southbound of the M6, with a forecourt, shop and a restaurant seating up to 300 people
1997
Tebay Mountain Lodge was extended to 53 rooms, and was upgraded to offer upper three star accommodation and a licensed restaurant. To reflect this change, it was renamed the Westmorland Hotel.
2000
An international award wining family day out! Europe's largest grass- covered building, named after Cumbria's Celtic Kingdom, Rheged’s attractions include a cinema screen the size of six double decker buses, a major International Mountaineering exhibition, Taste food bar and hall, Rheged café, Discovering Cumbria Exhibition, Visitor Information Centre, Children’s soft play area and Create, a craft workshop for children.
2003
We opened two Farm Shops on our North and Southbound motorway service areas. This is a new concept on a British motorway and one we are very proud of. We offer fresh, quality food with local specialities from Cumbria and neighbouring counties.
2003
The Farm Shops won the Best Local Retailer in the BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards
2004
Taste! food bar opens at Rheged. A whole zone dedicated to the best food and drink from Cumbria and the British Isles. Central to Taste! is a stylish food bar where you can relax and enjoy exciting light dishes created in front of you, from produce stocked in the shop.
2005
John and Barbara Dunning's daughter Sarah Dunning became Chief Executive of Westmorland Limited.
2006
Tebay Services were voted the 'Best Motorway Services' in Britain by 'Which Holiday' magazine
Over the years, Westmorland Limited has established a strong reputation for quality, individuality and for being very different with a strong local and artisan focus.
Today, through our growth and expansion, our values have remained consistent. We are committed to all things local and we have remained as dedicated to our individuality and quality as we have always been.
Westmorland Limited. Registered in England and Wales No.53 578 57
Our registered office is at Westmorland Place, Orton, Penrith, Cumbria , CA10 3SB
