Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa has a deep history in terms of speed records on Windermere.
Norman Buckley, the great uncle of English Lakes Hotels executive chairman Simon Berry, purchased the hotel in the early 1950s. But he is better known for his world water speed records on Windermere during that decade.
Speed on the water has another historical touchstone with the hotel group though. Did you know that Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa was a focal point in advocating tourism proposals for small seaplanes taking off from and landing on the waters of Windermere?
English Lakes Hotels historical links with seaplanes go back to Michael Berry OBE, Simon’s father and grandfather of managing director Ben.
In the late 1970s and early 80s, Michael was involved in a short-lived campaign to develop commercial seaplane operations at Windermere.
The idea was that effectively a ‘water taxi’ service could take off in popularity. Customers and hotel guests could theoretically take connecting flights between Windermere and Manchester or Liverpool airports in around just 30 minutes.
Indeed, a Tiger Moth seaplane famously landed on the waterfront of the hotel back in 1979, with the event featuring in Michael Berry’s book on the history of Low Wood Bay.
The Tiger Moth which Low Wood Bay hosted back then was called ‘Sea Tiger’ G-AIVW. Engineers adapted the aircraft from original models built for the RAF, converting it for water landings and take-offs with floats from Canada.
“The Surrey based Tiger Club owners wanted to take the aircraft on an expedition up to the lochs of Scotland. So they needed to plot a few stops along the way. And Low Wood Bay was an ideal overnight staging post with appropriate facilities.
“The proposed seaplane visit was of great interest to local people too, especially with the Lake District’s history of seaplanes. The area played a role in their development, and notably in the building of the Short Sunderland flying boat at Troutbeck during World War II.”
English Lakes Hotels executive chairman Simon Berry
Meetings between Michael Berry and the Tiger Club took place early in the summer of 1979. Safety plans for landing, beaching, mooring and refuelling developed and a date was set for mid-August.
With an audience of onlookers including local press and television cameras from the BBC, Michael Berry donned a Biggles helmet and was invited aboard for a flight. After a short take-off of around 100 yards, Sea Tiger soared over Bowness Bay at around 200 feet. It flew down to Lakeside, circled over Newby Bridge and returned for a smooth landing in front of Low Wood Bay.
Another floating plane, a four seater Cessna from Southwest Aviation Ltd, made a visit to the hotel in 1983.
The idea of an air taxi service to and from the regional airports in the North West, as well as the potential for leisure flights on Windermere, never got off the ground.
There was something of an outcry amongst objectors who claimed that the seaplanes would be too cumbersome, too noisy and too fast for the lake with landing and take-off speeds.
But with a landing run of only 700 feet and a wingspan of 36 feet, proponents did not think the seaplanes would cause significant disturbance or adversely affect the tranquillity of the lake.
But the objectors won the day with the backing of the local newspaper. The project did not get the support it might have merited had there been wider research and development.
So fast forward to 2025 and it was with a real sense of history when Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa played host to the crew of a unique replica of the UK’s first successful seaplane, Waterbird, and gave a select audience the chance to meet the team behind the project.
Waterbird sped across the water and took wing from Brockhole in two early autumn evening demonstration flights across Windermere against the stunning backdrop of the Langdale Pikes. The crew then retired to the spa resort for an informal question and answer session with flying enthusiasts.
The Waterbird project team included pilot Lieutenant Commander Chris Gotke, chief engineer Dr Bill Brooks, and Chairman of the Lakes Flying Company Ltd Ian Gee. They took the audience through their involvement in the Waterbird project and their wider flying experience.
The first demonstration flight was beautifully complemented with a flypast from the Red Arrows over Windermere and a special visit from a Spitfire.
Waterbird is an exact replica of the original seaplane which first flew from Windermere in 1911. And, according to Lieutenant Commander Gotke, the aircraft is a delight to fly. He said: “I’m incredibly proud to be a part of the wonderful team who are showing the public a key part of UK naval aviation heritage and history.”
Mr Gee added: “We are very grateful to English Lakes Hotels for accommodating the key members of the team, and for giving us the opportunity to let the public meet us all and discuss the intricacies of the project. The Waterbird flights went smoothly – it’s a wonderful aircraft and magnificent to see in flight.”
The Windermere flights involved detailed planning. The team worked with the Lake District National Park Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority to attain appropriate permissions and licences. The project also involved transporting the seaplane from its home at Liverpool Airport.
Ultimately, the team’s wishes are to find a permanent home for Waterbird on Windermere. And that could eventually mean more frequent flights and chances to see the replica plane up close.
Windermere has a fascinating history in the development of seaplanes. For example, planes developed from the Waterbird prototype used a ‘stepped’ float that made it possible to break the surface tension and lift the aircraft from the water. The replica seaplane also celebrates heritage from a golden age Windermere.
For further information about the award winning Waterbird project, visit https://www.waterbird.org.uk
There is a permanent exhibition recording Windermere’s role in the history of the development of aeroplanes at Windermere Library.
It explains how the first successful flights taking off from water in the UK happened on the lake. This later led to the establishment of a Naval seaplane school and the building of a flying boat factory on its shores during World War II.
The exhibition highlights the exploits of Captain Edward Wakefield. He initiated the development of aeroplanes capable of taking off from water and patented the ‘stepped’ float.
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