England’s verdant nature reserve is also home to some of the country’s finest kitchens and hotels
1. The Cottage in the Wood
Sitting on Magic Hill in the Whinlatter mountain forest near Keswick is a lovingly restored 17th-century cottage. Here you’ll find an upscale restaurant with a fairy tale feel and many awards under its belt, the latest being a mention in the 2019 Michelin Guide. The chefs delight in preparing modern British cuisine with regionally sourced and seasonal ingredients, such as aged Goosnargh duck in a red wine sauce.
2. The Drunken Duck
This upmarket inn offers simple but delicious lunches. The evening fare is more sophisticated with seasonal main course options such as guinea fowl with salt-baked kohlrabi, watercress and onion, and hake with pickled samphire and fennel jam. Other things that draw people in from far and wide include the peaceful surroundings free from the hustle and bustle of traffic, and a rustic fireplace that keeps guests cosy in the colder months.
3. The Jumble Room
Opened in 1996, this restaurant exudes individuality, combining Middle Eastern and Asian flavours in meals made with traditional Lakeland produce. Run by a husband-and-wife team, the restaurant’s mission is to provide great food (think local lamb with rose harissa and Morecambe Bay shrimp with ginger) in a relaxed setting you can’t get anywhere else in today’s hectic world. As you savour the meal, take in the quirky décor adorning the walls and tables.
4. Fellpack
Drop by during the day, and Fellpack will be a deli-style café, serving up excellent grilled sandwiches and flatbreads that are perfect for carrying along on a hike. In the evening, the café transforms into a convivial restaurant serving up wholesome eats in a cosy setting. Its owners pride themselves on the diversity of their food, catering to a range of palettes and dietary necessities with vegan and gluten-free options.
Singapore Airlines flies to Manchester five times weekly and to London four times daily. To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com
SEE ALSO: Over vales and hills: The enchantment of the Lake District
This article was originally published in the June 2019 issue of SilverKris magazine
