Bampton, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

“Fair prices for food that’s consistently pleasant to excellent” wins ongoing praise for this converted blacksmith’s – nowadays a restaurant with rooms in the centre of this scenic Lakeland village on Ullswater. Cumbrian born chef Phil Corrie offers a choice of three-course à la carte menu and seven-course tasting menu (the latter for £105 per person).

“The most incredible wine list – in the league of the best three-star restaurants, with the added advantage of being relatively reasonably priced” is “coupled with a five-star level of food” from chef Richard Swale (who has held a Michelin star since 2019) at this dazzlingly good operation. It occupies a Grade I listed mansion dating from the 1200s, which has been inhabited by the family of the current owners since 1724. Converted to a restaurant with rooms in 2013, it offers an “amazing all-round experience”: “we had a stunning 1952 Pomorol, and then sat in front of the lounge fire with a gentle Cognac!”