Rothay Bridge, Ambleside, LA22 0EH
Harden's says
The two dining options at Rothay Manor include a fine dining restaurant and the Brathay Lounge; afternoon tea is also available every day.
Harden's survey result
Summary
This “beautiful boutique hotel in Ambleside” (with 23 rooms) has been one of the better-known Lakeland hotels for decades and all reports acclaim its “lovely” style, “warm and friendly” service and “really very well-executed and skillful food”. In July 2025, it underwent a major change of gear with the appointment of Cameron Smith as head chef and the launch of a new dining room – Rowan – which aims to fill a perceived gap in the Lakes between cosy gastropub fare and ‘high falutin’ fine dining. The new menu is notably approachably priced and more bistro/brasserie in its level of aspiration. It looks promising, but as the change was well after our annual diners’ poll, no rating seems appropriate till next year.
Summary
“The hospitality is second to none” according to fans of this well-known Lakeland hotel, whose tasteful dining room – with its wood floors, bare tables and Farrow & Ball good looks – has been elegantly updated over the years. Head chef Aaron Lawrence joined in late 2023 and presents a range of menus – from à la carte to tasting options. All who report are impressed, including one diner who “went with low expectations and came away pleasantly surprised”.
Summary
This “beautiful country house hotel restaurant” has long held a reputation for “wonderful food in a really wonderful Lakeland setting”. It “continues to offer high-class, interesting cuisine in the chef Daniel McGeorge era”, with “innovative and delicious cooking” – “so seasonal, the entire meal evoked autumn on a plate”.
Summary
This elegant-looking country house hotel has long been one of the better known choices in the Lakes, though arguably more as a place to stay more than as a standalone dining destination. But chef Daniel McGeorge holds a hard-to-win three AA rosettes, and our feedback this year – though limited – is upbeat: “visited twice of late, once for Sunday lunch and then for a special package: faultless both times”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Rothay Manor?
Owner's description
Innovate Fine Dining cuisine in a relaxed country house setting. Recently awarded 3 AA rosettes for culinary excellence. There are plenty of menu choices from a la carte to 5 and 9 course Tasting menus. Specific Vegetarian menus, and other dietary requirements can be catered for.
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £0.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.95 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
Rothay Bridge, Ambleside, LA22 0EH
Opening hours
| Monday | 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
