The Lake District Guide

Lake District Guide Home / Index Page

Accommodation Guide
There's something for every budget from luxury hotels through to hostels and the fun of camping.


Eating Out The Best Lakes Restaurants
Restaurants/gastropubs
Other Lakes pubs
Cafes & bars
Vegetarian
Great everyday eating


Mountain Walks
Wonderful high level walks in the Lakes.

Valley & Lakeside Walks
For more sedate walks in the most beautiful part of England.

Things To Do, Places To Go
Want a day's activity? Maybe a bit of mountain biking? Or some water-sports? Fancy something to entertain the kids, or amuse the older members of the groups? Everything to do in the Lakes is here. Hundreds of wonderful activities, endless places to see and things to do in every category you can imagine!

General Lake District Information
The place to find useful information on travel, tourist information, and everything else about the Lakes.

Map of the Lake District

Your guide to The Best Restaurants in the English Lake District.

As if to prove that great cooking is alive and well in the English Lake District, there are no fewer than 4 establishments that have a Michelin star within a few square miles of the Lakes National Park. They are all superb, and well worth a visit, but there are many other places which may not reach the same dizzy heights of culinary excellence, but which can provide you with excellent food.

If you've stayed or dined at a hotel or restaurant and you think it should be included in this guide, send your comments to info@lake-district-guides.co.uk
 


Cartmel - L'enclume

A restaurant with rooms, becoming something of a legend for the quality and imaginative approach which Simon Rogan brings to his work. You may love it or hate it, think it's pretentious or delightful, but you won't be left indifferent. I personally love joining the exploration of food that is Rogan's specialty. And, after all, you don't get a Michelin star for nothing. Try it once, with an open mind. See also the entry in the romantic hotels section.
L’enclume restaurant with rooms Cavendish Street, Cartmel, Nr Grange over Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6PZ Phone: 015395 36362
Email: info@lenclume.co.uk Web: www.lenclume.co.uk


Windermere - Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel

At the high end of the market, Holbeck Ghyll has a reputation among the gourmands for the finest Anglo-French cuisine, its chef having retained a Michelin star since 2000. And it also represents something else: a blend of informal, friendly and efficient service with high standards of food, wine and a superb environment which makes it a really special place to savour the finest food while you relax in the natural beauty of the Lakes (the hotel has an absolutely fantastic view down Windermere). It's simply about as good a hotel and restaurant as you can get.
Phone: 015394 32375 Web: www.holbeck-ghyll.co.uk
The hotel is open to non-residents and you can find it down Holbeck Lane, off the A591 three miles north of Windermere.


Windermere - Miller Howe

One of the oldest country house hotels with top-flight restaurant attached, Miller Howe is an old-world place full of charm and antiques which continues to adhere to the standards set years ago by chef/proprietor John Tovey. Tending to the style of a flamboyant country house with the decorations to match, this is a super place for a meal of the highest standard. The afternoon teas come highly recommended if you want to get the feel of what Miller Howe has to offer.
Miller Howe, Rayrigg Road, half a mile west of Windermere on the A592.
Phone: 015394 42536



Windermere - Gilpin Lodge

I wanted to include Gilpin Lodge because it is another Lakes hotel with a Michelin star. No doubt that accolade doesn't impress everyone, but it means a lot in terms of quality, imagination and maintenance of standards from one year to the next. And in a world where chefs come and go, that can count for a great deal. Gilpin Lodge offers a gourmet experience with the modern blend of non-stuffy, friendly service which makes the dining experience truly relaxed and memorable. To quite their own website: "It's hard to place a label on the food. It's classically based yet thoroughly modern with emphasis on the use of local produce. It's imaginative without being silly, it's fresh, and is prepared and served with a great deal of care." They also take as much care over the vegetarian options as the non-veggie ones.
Gilpin Lodge Country House Hotel, Crook Road, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3NE Phone: 015394 88818 Web: www.gilpinlodge.co.uk


Ullswater - Sharrow Bay

A very high class and long established hotel with a kitchen that serves up cooking of an extremely high standard: indeed, it has had a Michelin star for many years. Sharrow Bay is a place that features on every "foodie's" list of the best places to eat in the Lake District. See their entry in the luxury hotels section of this website.
1.5 miles from Pooley Bridge on the east side of Ullswater.
Phone: 017684 86301 Web: www.sharrowbay.co.uk