Penrith Restaurant Guide

“The restaurant and grounds are stunning, but it’s the food that you remember most” at this “fabulously atmospheric” old mansion in a “sleepy corner of Cumbria”, owned by the aristocratic Lowther family (whose forebears cheated and later supported the Lakeland poet William Wordsworth two centuries ago). “It’s the centrepiece of a foodie-friendly village, where both pubs are excellent” – The Queen’s Head and George & Dragon, both also part of the Lowther estate. The highly rated tasting menu uses “high-quality local produce” to “wonderful” effect: “from the cod boudin, the Cornish crab with lovage, the duck and turnip, the seatrout in larch, on to the amazing local fell lamb, every taste was a revelation of what a great chef can do to some simple ingredients, to elevate them to an amazing intensity…”

A “strong all-rounder” – this mid-Victorian (hence the name) former blacksmith’s and post office opened as a smartly refurbed restaurant with rooms in 2016, with local lad Phil Corrie at the stove. He quickly earned a reputation for his enthusiastic use of locally sourced and often foraged ingredients (including his mum’s raspberries).

Just off the M6, a “charming” and “dog-friendly” pub where “great seafood dishes” are a feature of the “diverse local menu” (with much produce from their farm and garden); should the “peaceful yet vibrant” atmosphere lull you into a state of bliss, their rooms and breakfast are well-regarded too.