Magic Hill, Braithwaite, Keswick CA12 5TW, United Kingdom
The Cottage in the Wood is a unique Michelin-starred Restaurant with Rooms combining Jack Bond’s sophisticated cooking, boutique-style rooms, friendly service and a warm welcome in a stunning natural setting. Perched 1,000ft up in the Whinlatter Forest above Keswick in the northern Lake District, we have gorgeous views of the Skiddaw mountain range and wildlife and walks on the doorstep. In July 2021 we were proud to be named in the UK’s Top 100 Restaurants for the first time.
The best experience - it’s not just about the food, it’s the people…all of the staff were superb. So enthusiastic and passionate about their offerings. Team briefings every evening are followed by a seamless informal service. The quality of the food produced under the direction of head chef Jack is out of this world. We had the 2 menus over two nights. You can tell they all love working there. A unique Michelin restaurant which only has 1 star (for now).
Stayed and had the set tasting menu. The food was nothing short of amazing. The chef's described each dish with real enthusiasm. Service was very attentive and friendly. There seamed to be a genuine pride in what they were serving. I almost don't want to describe the dishes so as not to spoil the surprise for anyone eating there soon. But prepare yourself for some of the most delicious sauces you've ever eaten. ||We're both very much meat eaters, but two of the punchiest dishes on our menu were vegetarian, so if you are selecting a vegetarian menu I'm sure you won't be disappointed.||The room was lovely, on the small side, but got that impression from the website, and the fact its a cottage! Breakfast rounded things of perfectly, delicious, with spectacular views of Skiddaw.||Staying at the 'Cottage' was a treat from start to finish
The Cottage is a little gem. The position is amazing, the menu is a perfect balance between local flavours and a more sophisticated touch. But the greatest mention goes to the staff. The dinner was supposed to be a surprise for my partner's birthday, but I turned out to be the most surprised when he proposed....and all the people there made it so intimate and magical at the same time. We really can't thank them enough. I am sure we will be back again (perhaps for our first wedding's anniversary?!). Ps: the breakfast is also amazing, I strongly recommend to spend the night there!
Absolutely fantastic. Loved everything about it from the amazing staff (particularly Ash) to the stunning food. We had the tasting menu with 3 having the carnivores version and me the vegetarian. I can honestly say that my vegetarian food was sone of the best I've ever had. So lovely to go somewhere to eat and be treated the same as everyone else with imaginative, delicious food prepared with care and served with panache. Thank you so much, we will certainly be back
I have had meals at the Cottage in the Wood several times over the last 5 years. I have meals prepared by head chefs Ben Wilkinson and Sam Miller, whilst the restaurant was owned by Kath and Liam Berney. I was very interested to see what the new owners Jack and Beth Bond have done with the restaurant. I have had dinner at the Cottage but never lunch. As my wife and I were in the Lake District we booked to have lunch. I am a celiac and my wife is a vegetarian, I contacted Gayle at the Cottage and discussed our dietary needs. All of our requirements were dealt with in advance. ||On arrival the staff were friendly and did everything to make us feel at home. We were shown to our table in the bay window of the dining room, with the stunning view of Skiddaw with beautiful autumnal sunshine. It was lovely to have a personalised menu which included our dietary changes. ||I had the gluten free 6 course taster and my wife had the vegetarian taster. ||Each course was stunning. Delightful to look at and delicious with beautifully layered flavours which complement the local seasonal produce. ||Every course was beautiful and produced to the highest standard. I was really nice to have the chef team come to the table and explain what they have cooked for you. The Mallard I had was the best duck I have ever tasted. ||Jack and Beth have definitely done a great job taking over the baton from Liam and Kath. The standard of the food is amazing and will keep the Cottage in the Wood as one of the best in the Lake District and personally our favourite restaurant.
We stayed here ten years ago and had a wonderful experience and decided to revisit this glorious corner of the Lake District. This 'restuarant with rooms' now has a Michelin star which is very well deserved. The whole experience from the moment we arrived until we left the following day was an utter delight. The room was lovely with a superbly comfortable superking bed with a well appointed bathroom and dinner was everything and more that you could expect: delicious, freshly cooked food way beyond anything you could make at home. (And I enjoy cooking) Best of all was the warmth of welcome we received from everyone headed by the owners Jack (chef) and Beth (general manager). A wonderful and memorable stay. We will return!
We spent a night here to recharge after our wedding and we’re so glad we chose this as the venue for our micromoon! We stayed in the garden room which was lovely and had a full on red squirrel welcome, followed by jays (as city dweller we didn’t know magpies also came in blue and pink 😂) and woodland pheasant parading around the small seating area. Dinner was amazing - the tasting menu absolutely deserved the Michelin star; I still need to understand how so many different flavours and textures can be extracted from a humble courgette. The service is warm and friendly and absolutely spot on when it came to information about the food - I like to know, but I don’t need to know too much! Having had an absolutely exhausting couple of days, we had the best night followed by the most comfortable sleep - loved every minute.
Probably the best dining experience I have had.||Fabulous location in Whinlatter. The 7 course tasting menu was fabulous. Locally foraged or grown ingredients. Presented as mini pieces of art. Every dish was bursting with flavours, ||Service and ambience was how I like it. Superb , friendly, down to earth and knowledgeable. Each dish, had one of the chefs explain how it was made which was a nice touch. ||Not cheap at £120pp, I would say it was totally worth it. ||By comparison, I preferred it to Le Manoir. I thought the food tasted much more interesting.
Lovely stay. Excellent food and service at both dinner and breakfast. Clean and well maintained.
Delicious, keenly priced, well-paced tasting menu fully deserving of a Michelin star. The Herdwick lamb dish is exceptionally good. The wine flight was good too. Sevice was freindly and proficient and the place has a nice homely vibe. Only let down food-wise was the disappointing and fairly pricey breakfast. If you are over 56 and staying in the Tree Tops attic room be warned: access to it is steep and narrow and you will bang your head against the hard as rock wooden beams at least once no matter how much you try to remember to stoop. Also, the room can apparently get infested at night with midges if you leave its skylight open and a light on. That said, wed definitely dine there again and probably stay too - but in another room.
Had an amazing taster menu here in October 2024. Came last year too,however this year was even better under the new owners. Just amazing food and service. Cant wait to go back next year. Service : 5/5 |
The venue, service and staff could not have been better. The food was amazing served in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
OK food, very good wine pairing, nice location. A bit up itself, and 3 hours is a long time for a taster experience. And note: we had to ASK for the bill at that 3 hour mark. Good service, nice staff. Service : 4/5
Had a lovely evening, staff are fantastic. Food portions are small and if it wasn t for the service it would be hard to justify the high prices. However, the experience was well worth the money.
Food and drinks: What an amazing dining experience for a special Birthday! Each course was just pure luxury . Staff were friendly and knowledgeable and made you feel relaxed . The wine pairing excellent. Thank you to all the staff. Service : 5/5 |
Beautiful food in this restaurant with rooms. The menu is imaginative, seasonal, creative and delicious. Staff are fantastic and the Head Chef takes the time to visit each table. Our room had fabulous views. Beds very comfortable and toiletries are lovely. Ultimately, it is the food/hospitality which is the star. Nearby activities: Whinlatter forest trails are on the doorstep. Recommend the WOW trail. A circular 2 hour walk with fabulous viewpoint.
Location and building is stunning, staff are beyond courteous and professional, also extremely knowledgeable, the service was exceptional, at no point were we hounded to buy more drinks or being asked if the food was okay, simply because there was no need, everything was exquisite. The ambience and view from our table was just perfect, the food was so fresh and looked, smelt and tasted divine. Drinks were as you would expect, with ample choice. Me and my wife were celebrating her milestone birthday and have always wanted to experience a Michelin restaurant, this exceeded our expectations in absolutely every aspect!
I had the pleasure of having lunch in this restaurant with my girlfriend. When we arrived at the restaurant for lunch we found out we booked for the following day. However, the staff was super nice and they allowed us to have lunch that same day. The location is super nice since it is quite literally in the woods and we had a table facing an amazing view. The food was great and super quick, we did not have to wait for ages. We particularly liked their bread, the pigeon and the apricot pudding. If you are in the area, you must go.
Food and drinks: Excellent meal and drinks would definitely go again. Rooms
Beth and Jack and the team were absolutely fantastic. Every bit of the service, the food and the drinks were brilliant and made a memorable evening extra special. We can t wait to go back.
Go to cottage in the wood around this time of year to celebrate my daughters, and my Birthday. Should have gone to day, but I have been poorly since Wednesday, devastated we had to cancel. Now I m going to try to book for end of August. This our Favourite place. Nothing to much trouble - Perfect . Food and drinks: Amazing food
We honestly had the best time. From the welcome when we arrived on Thursday, through to leaving after a fantastic breakfast on Saturday. We were so well looked after by everyone. It was the perfect place, with the most incredible food and wine, to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Well definitely be back again, hopefully not too long! The passion the whole team have for the food and wine shines through, in the relaxed and hospitable ambiance that flows through the building. Theres plenty to do nearby, from many walks, to a day out in nearby Keswick. Rooms: Very comfy bed. Bathroom a but cosy, but all very clean and worked perfectly well Food and drinks: Where to start. An incredibly balanced tasting menu, with excellently paired wines throughout. We were lucky enough to be staying for two nights, so got to experience both side by side. The techniques and ingredients used are all carefully explained by the chefs to your table, which definitely adds to the context and flavours experienced.
This was our second visit to The Cottage in the Wood, and our first under the new owner. We loved it under the old owner, and were naturally nervous to see whether it would live up to our expectations under new management. We had nothing to worry about, it was excellent! The food is a delight, with clever use of local and seasonal produce. One really lovely stand out feature is that the chefs come out of the kitchen and dressed the dish by the table while they tell you about the dish which os a really nice touch and really enhanced our enjoyment. The staff are delightful; really friendly and welcoming, with a real passion for the Cottage in the Woods and the food they produce. The rooms are well appointed and comfortable. Expensive but sometimes quality is... And this is one of those times... Rooms: They have a number of rooms at different price levels, all of which are comfortable and warm with a shower, tea and coffee facilities and a hair dryer. Nearby activities: Super convenient for Whinlatter park where walking, running, mountain biking and family outdoor activities are abundant Food and drinks: The Cottage in the Woods delivers Michelin starred tasting menus using local produce. They are good at managing food intolerances and handled my wifes wheat intolerance really well. They also do breakfast for residents and lunch.
Great place. Been here a few times and it keeps getting better. Location is perfect. Food definitely gets better. And it was great first time. Eating breakfast whilst watching red squirrels eat theirs is hard to beat. And Skiddaw in behind the squirrels! Service is spectacular. This time a big thumbs up to Joel. He appears to be the Winekipedia.
AMAZING! A must visit in the Lake District - beautifully situated and delicious food plus a world class wine list! The maitre, Joel, is still my hero! Next time Ill come for dinner and stay over night - a bit like in the tuscan hills...
We had an excellent evening at the cottage in the woods, can highly recommend. The food was superb and the team very friendly. It was lovely to see the chefs when they came out to present the courses.
Outstanding visit
We came to celebrate my boyfriend s birthday. The hotel is super sweet, we arrived late and they had a card on the table for him:) The presentation and thoughtfulness they put into each dish was truly amazing. The creative plating and attention to detail really elevated the entire dining experience. I appreciate the care and artistry they brought to every course - it was evident in how beautifully and intentionally each item was prepared. Thank you for such a memorable meals!! We were also very impressed by the genuine care and pride for their team takes in ensuring each guest has a wonderful experience. The seamless service, anticipation of our needs, and genuine friendliness of everyone I interacted with was exemplary. The hotel is a family run business, so make sure you booked early as there are limited room. We booked the last room, which is on top of the front entrance, but we just use the pillow to cover the lower window, so we can have some privacy and still enjoy the Mountain View:)
My Husband and I visited Cottage in the Woods this weekend to celebrate our 1st Wedding Anniversary. We had a lovely friendly welcome by Kath who showed us to our room with a great Mountain View, and fresh tea and scones on arrival. We sat in the conservatory for dinner and all the staff were friendly and professional. The food, was just amazing! The special touch of the chefs coming to the table to add the finishing touch to the dish felt very personal and added to the experience. I would highly recommend the amazing place.
Delightful. Exquisite service and stunning food - every detail has been studied to create a culinary adventure.
Very nice lunch but it didnt really wow. Some small things like tomatoes not skinned, fregola a bit hard in places. Flavours and textures generally good. Beef good but could have had a bit more char on the outside for flavour. desserts nicely done.
Fabulous tasting menu in a very exotic location
We had our Ruby Anniversary at the Cottage. It was a memory not to be forgotten. The friendly warm and high professional service was at its highest. Rooms were wonderful but Jack Bonds tasting menu was at another higher level. He and is team were constantly visible to explain the wonderful food and help us enjoy. Every member of serving staff knew every detail and the tastes we could expect. Allergys checked out. Wines and flight of wines remarkable. My wive has disability following an accident and Kath and the team totally looked after her. Thank you for the memories. Fred and Sylvia Bamber
We recently visited Cottage in the Wood in the beautiful area of Whinlatter forest. After a warm welcome we sat down to enjoy some high quality, well presented locally sourced food. Each course was explained by staff who clearly took pride in their knowledge of each dish.The atmosphere was enhanced by the chefs themselves adding final touches to some dishes at our table. A very enjoyable experience which we would truly recommend.
It s very hard to cater to everyone s aesthetic taste and having said that, I m going to try and be fair. It s just not what we expected. If you are expecting log fires and chic interiors, maybe a faded gentry vibe, you will be disappointed. Fabulous service though, so on a positive note, staff were extremely attentive and friendly, one could not fault their desire to please. The food , ( there was no choice, it was a 7 course taster menu at £120 pp which we knew when we booked) was served with panache and passion, but left us feeling slightly underwhelmed. Highlights were the slivers of trout and the slices of duck with crispy kale. The chocolate pudding was lovely. Breakfast was fabulous with a lot of choice, however we didn t realise we had to book our breakfast arrival time- as we hadn t, we were left with an 8.30-9 time to arrive for breakfast, and as that was for Sunday morning- it felt a tad early. Our room was small but it did have a stunning view. It felt dated but It did have a very comfortable bed and fine cotton bedding, which was lovely. After reading all the glowing five star reviews I guess our expectations were set too high.
I took my parents out for a pre-Christmas meal. I left apologizing. To pay for an overpriced dinner is bad enough, but for 44 pounds for two bottles of sparkling water is criminal. The food was unremarkable with watery sauces and bland desserts in an awkward atmosphere.
Amazing time at cottage on the wood. We had the lunch time tasting menu and it was beautiful, 100% recommend
Have cancelled us at short notice three times. They have to priroritise other people. Avoid these people they will ruin your plans and it will be too late to go anywhere else
What a lovely restaurant. The tasting menu was well balanced and just the right amount. Particular favourites were the beetroot in blackcurrant, a wonderfully cooked piece of turbot and a tangy cherry dessert. Staff were all friendly and it was very relaxed atmosphere. Wine list wasnt huge but had everything you could want plus some surprises. We paired the venison with a lovely whisky instead of wine and it worked perfectly.
Dont trust this place to honour your reservations. They have cancelled us 3 times due to no staff. No consideration to us and other reasons we had for going or expenses incurred in getting there. They dont care.
Friendly and welcoming hosts, delightful staff and service and wonderful ambience. The 7 course tasting menu was preceded by exquisite little snacks and every one of the imaginative dishes was cooked to perfection. The accompanying matched wines contained some unusual choices that suited the food perfectly. My room was lovely and I had a comfortable night followed by a tasty breakfast. Thoroughly recommended
Beautiful location. Staff very attentive but not overbearing. Food first class and the explanation as each course was served was really helpful. Didnt have to ask for anything ie water automatically topped up, asked if we wanted more bread or more drinks. Rooms very comfortable and spotlessly clean. We had the seven course tasting menu. Good choices at breakfast not your normal fare but the option of full cooked breakfast was on the menu too. Toast still warm with home made jam and marmalade. Could not fault it. A lovely experience in a lovely place
Superb tasting menu and wine pairing Excellent service, friendly not stuffy or overly formal
Beautiful food, course after glorious course. It was suitably decadent but felt healthy as well. How do they make simple bread and butter taste that good? Nicely matched wines that were new to us. Going to seek out a couple of them.
Food and drinks: We booked the restaurant a few months ago and had dinner there last night. The unassuming, gentle and delicious journey that you are taken on during the course of the evening is truly sublime. Each one of the dishes left us sitting for a moment in silence just taking in each flavour combination whilst looking out onto the Mountain View. I highly recommend this experience, a lot of passion has gone into creating the flow of the menu and the use of local ingredients makes for very memorable evening.
Fantastic meal with a great view nicely tucked in to the woods. Friendly staff. Thanks for the kind gesture with the card too - much appreciated.
This was my first Michelin star meal, it definitely lived up to the hype and I now understand the distinction. We had 10 courses and each dish was a work of art. Each bite had so many different layers of flavors and there was definitely a science behind getting everything to blend so perfectly. How they fit such complex flavours into such small chunks of food, I do not know. The service was simply on another level and the view was idyllic, which we appreciated as we were celebrating our engagement! Thanks so much!
Absolutely incredible taster lunch we had here. Incredible location with amazing views, and I ve never tasted venison like that in my life! Very attentive staff too.
Had a fantastic meal with my wife. The food was stunning and the service was first class. Always a warm welcome . My favourite restaurant bar none.
Just stayed at this gorgeous place. All the team were fabulous, especially Cath, who made us all very welcome and couldn t have been more accommodating to our party of six; and Daniel, whose storytelling for each wine was spellbinding We enjoyed the delightful well thought out tasting menu and paired wines. All our rooms were very comfortable and our stay was rounded off by a delicious breakfast. This place is jewel in the woods. Many thanks.
Amazing location above Braithwaite. We went for the taster menu with wine pairings and were absolutely spoilt. Some delicious wines and beautifully presented and tasty dishes. The lamb was probably my favourite, melt in the mouth! Really friendly staff and hosts felt we were really well looked after. Room was beautifully clean but due to the nature of the building it felt a bit snug and warm due to the recent weather (and didn t want to sleep with windows open due to large amount of bugs about) so didn t have the best sleep. Not a criticism just be aware in the hot months. Probably the best breakfast I have ever had in the Lakes too. Really lovely setting/ getaway for a couple.
Delicious tasting menu in this lovely family run restaurant. We went in recommendation and it didn t disappoint. Very quiet and peaceful surroundings topped off with a lovely meal and breakfast. Special credit to the excellent Sommelier
Wonderful, cozy place with friendly service and superb food and wine. Offers rooms and 7-course dinner and I really recommend both! Situated in Whinlatter forest with loads of beautiful trails right outside the door.
Really enjoyed the five course taster lunch menu. A fascinating blend of flavours and creative cuisine. Helpful and friendly service and a wonderful view.
Absolutely stunning!!
Went for dinner only. Didnt stay overnight. Prix fixed menu of several courses. Food was varied and very good. Certainly a cut above in style for that area.
FANTASTIC. We like to eat out, and we ve been to some great restaurants, but this was definitely in the top two or three. The service was excellent, the wine pairings were just about perfect, and the food was inventive but accessible and delicious.
Outstanding dishes that truly highlight incredible ingredients.
This is a great place to eat out at. The food is incredible and the service is great, all the staff go the extra mile to help.
Incredible family run restaurant with rooms in the most beautiful location in the lakes. Everyone at the hotel was so welcoming and helpful, and the quality of the food and wine pairing was outstanding.
Can t fault this place. From the second we arrived we were made to feel welcome and valued. food and service is outstanding. We ve stayed in many top class hotels all over the world and this place knocks spots of them. Rooms: Small but spotlessly clean with everything you could want included.
A fabulous meal with great wines and service.
We came here for a rare night away without our little boy. What an absolute treat from start to finish! Such a warm welcome upon arrival, we dropped our bags into our room and went downstairs for a cocktail and my partner had a local ale. The cocktail was beautiful! I went up to the room afterwards and had a bath in the spa bath..it was so relaxing. The views from our window were of skiddaw and the woods. Absolutely beautiful and so peaceful. We were lucky enough to spot some red squirrels out of our window too. When we went down for dinner we were given a lovely table in the conservatory area. Very relaxed but with a bit of sparkle. (Could have been the prosecco by this point) haha. The food was exquisite from start to finish. As it happens my partner proposed whilst we were there - which I had known nothing about but Kath the owner helped David to plan when to propose and they were on hand with a card and glasses of champagne to celebrate. We slept so well in our room, it was very quiet and peaceful. The breakfast was as nice as all the other food we had eaten during our stay. We cannot recommend this place enough...we left very relaxed and very happy and we want to thank Kath & team at this small hotel for doing such a wonderful job in looking after everyone and providing such a sanctuary - a true getaway for those wanting a break from the every day hustle of life! Thank you!! Nikkola & David xx (& Little Ronnie)
Stay cancelled by the hotel with barely a months notice for a Christmas booking
What an excellent experience!!! The food was superb a real birthday treat. The hospitality and welcome made the whole experience would highly recommend Food and drinks: Exceptional
Wonderful warm welcome from Kath and Liam, this is a little gem, couldnt do enough for us. The the food is sensational and the wine pairings were surprising and went beautifully eith every dish. We will definitely be back, thank you so much for a lovely stay.
Amazing tasting menu & lovely attentive service. A real treat!
We have had a meal with friends, and stayed here, it was a few years ago but for us deserves no less than 5 stars, food is second to no-one. The owners are so nice and welcoming, we both have said that it deserves a Michelin star compared with other restaurants/ hotels. Nice to see your hard work has paid off, will book to come in the future.
We had an amazing meal here ( Friday 25th Feb) for my birthday, with excellent food! Would definitely recommend and we will be back, promise! Bev x
Cannot say enough about this place, the staff were so friendly and attentive, the food was to die for, will definitely be back again!
Superb. Excellent value overnight stay and wine pairing with the tasting menu I highly recommend as great quality wines and reasonably priced.
Had a wonderful meal here with my son and daughter in law. The food was excellent and the staff really friendly and knowledgeable.
Fabulous taster dinners. Really friendly, helpful staff.
I cannot begin to describe the utterly amazing experience that I have just enjoyed having lunch here. Fantastically, professional, knowledgeable and friendly staff. As for the food. Nothing that I can put on here in my own words can do justice to the exquisitely sublime meal that I have consumed. Every single course was truly fantastic. The whole wonderful experience was perfect. Thank you so much to the entire team at The Cottage in the Wood. You have left me with the fondest memories of a dining experience that I think I will ever have... Until I return.
This is a gem of a place. Four of us went for the dinner menu and we can all say that the experience was first class. We will definitely be returning.
We have just returned from a 2 night stay at the cottage in the wood. We went for a special occasion. We were not disappointed. What a lovely 2 days. Everything from start to finish was absolutely amazing. The view from our bedroom was stunning. The food was amazing and the staff were so kind and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble. Our thanks to you all.
What can I say - it is always worth the booking wait!! Delicious food and wonderful service.
What should be the official pride of Cumbria , if not England. Highly imaginative, local food of the highest quality, global wine offering and overall experience to die for. The service is unhurried, focused, personal and supremely professional without a hint of pretence and retaining that trusted feel of Cumbrian authenticity to the fullest. I have already booked my autumn visit and cannot wait to sample what the team deliver on that occasion.
Food top notch. Room v.comfortable. staff polite, friendly and efficient - what more could one ask?
Amazing lunch here today with great staff
Best cotrage in The Wood best latte today
Excellent venue for your special personal occasion. Had the evening menu, each course splendid. Stayed overnight and breakfast was also excellent. You cannot fail to be impressed with front of house staff. They know all about what they placing before you. The chef and brigade provide a memorable feast.
Excellent food and attentive service. Great experience!
This review is made on the basis of the hospitality rather than the quality of food and accommodation. My wife completed the Fred Whittington today and needed to make an impromptu water stop. Although the proprietor was clearly on a break, she could not have been more supportive, accoodating and helpful. We would love to return as a family of paying guests one day. Thank you very much
We had the Taste Dinner with the wine recommendations. Fantastic, each mouthful a taste sensation, each course a work of art. Not suitable for bargain hunters or malfunctioning tastebuds.
Truly an amazing experience from start to finish. All of the staff were very pleasant and attentive. Every dish we tried had my tastebuds tingling. The view was amazing and the wildlife kept us entertained. My first visit but definitely not my last.
A wonderful lunch, the whole experience was excellent. Good food, good service and a very nice place. A little expensive, but well worth it for a special occasion.
Wow. Treated like a VIP from the very second you arrive. The knowledgeable staff are effortlessly friendly, always got time for a chat or to explain the exceptional food and the process it goes through in order to arrive at what is simply culinary beauty. It s theatrical eating that s for sure. It s not all about the taste, it s the journey. The senses are blown away and the mind boggles about just how they deliver with the slightest of additions. One dish was written up as yoghurt and oil - and what arrived was about 6 different processes, and possibly the nicest dessert I ve ever eaten. If your lucky enough to get a table at this place, do not pass it up. From beginning to end it s a food fairytale!!
Found this hotel when browsing my tablet,so glad I did, just had an excellent nights stay.the 5 course tasting menu was delicious,many thanks to all the staff for an enjoyable stay.
Beautiful setting, excellent warm and friendly service and food sublime. A wonderful experience, highly recommended.
Fantastic Parking: Free at the roadside
loved the Cottage in the woods... I would HIGHLY reccomend the Michelin establishment if you or someone special to wishes to be spoilt..The Cottage in the wood Will do that and more... Have your wish come True... from start to finish... lets begin.. The reception was kind warm & welcoming. Sitting on the terraced veranda overlooking such a Beautiful part of Cumbria..over appetisers & snack(inclusive of the menu)drinks ordered while perusing the lavish well thought menu of pure excellence & delights.. A seven course menu or 5, is on offer.. the 7 course chosen.. with an option of a wine menu to match.. or choose the wine reccomend with the dishes...Highly recommended.. The courses each one was So pleasing to the pallet & presentation was excellent.. each course would be described As Excellent... I have attached a menu in the pics... The Ambiance of the Cottage is superb the Staff were kind warm & welcoming..the Chef Excellent.. the owners are thoughtful & kind... I would HIGHLY recommend The Cottage in the woods... Thank you to All ... for making our evening an experience that will not be forgotten Regards Vladimir & Patricia xx
Incredible
Wonderful experience dinner, breakfast and the room. Extremely tasty food and the wine pairing was excellent. Highly recommend.
Just spent two wonderful evenings here for dinner bed and breakfast. Great setting in the woods. Sublime 7 course tasting menu with matched wines, friendly and relaxed atmosphere with informative and helpful staff. Tasty and filling breakfast. Not an everday treat by any stretch but a truly excellent weekend that we will remember for many years to come.
We had the most amazing meal here. We have eaten at many fine dining establishments, and this is one of a very few that we will happily return to and recommend. The food was amazing with my favourite being the Hogget. Everything was cooked and presented to perfection, and the staff were very attentive and accommodating. Thank you to all the staff seen and unseen for a very enjoyable evening.
We stayed over for a friend s wedding. From the moment we walked in, Kath and her staff made us feel so welcome and at home. Attentive without being over-bearing, the perfect amount. The food was sublime! The best food we ve eaten in a long time, up there with Moor Hall and Forest Side. The chef, Ben Wilkinson, is a genius. Every dish was met with either wows or silence, the ultimate compliments. He even made an appearance during the meal, where we gushed, unabashedly. The breakfast was first class, too. Add in the mix the surroundings, and Cottage in the Woods should be an absolute must on everyone s itinerary! We ll be back! Cannot recommend enough.
Good friendly service and excellent food. Try to book a window seat or a table on the deck - not much of a view from the dining room.
Finally after 3 lockdown induced cancellations, we eventually made it... and we werent disappointed in anyway. Had a wonderful evening and will be returning sooner rather than later
Wow - beautiful views from the terrace with a delicious thoughtfully presented menu.
Very good food, excellent service, and red squirrels in the garden. Lovely.
The food absolutely amazing and the staff as well. Fully recommend it!
This is a restaurant to find, if youre in the Lakes. Even the drive up to it is stunning. The service was excellent - so friendly and not stuffy, at all. And the food - out of this world. We went for my birthday and we were not disappointed. From start to finish, it was a relaxed and fine experience. Id love to visit again, when were North.
The food matched the views and setting. Simply wonderful. Great atmosphere. We were spolit on our anniversary with a lovely card and a warm welcome. Cant wait to go back.
Fantastic Michelin starred dining. Excellent food and service
Just had a lovely day at this fabulous restaurant with the most breathtaking views to celebrate my sons birthday. The food was amazing, beautiful fresh produce with fabulous taste sensations. The service was five star, all front of house staff were so attentive you couldn t of asked for better. The whole day was a five star experience and I would thoroughly recommend a visit. Thank you so much to Monica, Ben and team for making the day special.
Food was impeccable and the service was faultless. Well deserved reputation. Lunch menu allows you to sample three courses with optional hot drinks and petit four. Full vegetarian menu provided and were very accommodating when the starter wasnt to my taste. Lovely view through the forest including over Grisedale Pike. Would definitely recommend and will be returning.
The food is sublime, the staff very friendly and welcoming, the surroundings breathtaking - what else do you need to know!
The setting, service, food and drink were all some of the best youll ever experience
My boyfriend and I visited Cottage in the Woods at the end of August for my birthday, to try their tasting menu. The food was amazing and the service was exceptional - with the team even giving me a birthday card! Weve been dreaming about their treacle bread since we left - a must visit if youre in the Lakes.
A lovely lunch here via the tasting menu. Made accommodations for dietary requirements. Good value and excellent finish on each dish. Hen of the Wood was lovely. Lovely staff too. Voluntary increase to the discretionary service charge was well deserved.
Just a lass from Hull....having her first taste of Michelin star food on her 54th birthday. The flavours popped in my mouth, Ive never experienced magical flavours like it. Thank you for your kind, friendly hospitality. Made my day
Only had lunch there to celebrate my belated 50th, due to Covid stopping us last year. The food was beautiful, the staff were warm and welcoming, would thoroughly recommend this lovely place.
You can wax lyrical one word is needed OUTSTANDING
From arrival to departure outstanding. This place is a gem. We will be returning
Considering most luxury UK hotels will now charge a couple upwards of £150 for B&B, me and my partner found the cottage in the woods to be not only very high quality but also extraordinarily good value. The food is absolutely Michelin star quality, as are the staff.
A truly wonderful lunch today at this extremely welcoming restaurant. We had the lunchtime five course taster menu and wine pairing which was an absolute bargain, even with the extra cheese course (and port, obviously) and coffee with petit fours. All courses were beautifully presented with layers of flavours. Particular favourites were the oyster cream/dill that danced around the palate without overpowering the trout; and the touch of sweetness in the capers brought the venison and sauerkraut to a whole new level. Oh, and the Pinot pairing highlighted the smoke in the emulsion wonderfully. Service - absolutely superb. A genuine friendliness and warmth came over at every service and the passion for their fare was clear to see. Well done Michelin for finally daring to leave the city and recognising this gem. The teams efforts and ambitions to maintain local offerings in this pretty location fully deserve their star.
Beautiful location, amazing food and top class service
Food was fantastic and the staff were lovely
Fantastic food, lovely waiters
Fantastic 1-star restaurant just up the Whinlatter pass out of Braithwaite. We went for dinner and ordered from the 3-course menu. Had the chicken terrine for starter, pork for main and rhubarb for dessert. All courses were excellently presented and delicious. Took advantage of the wine pairings and all three were very good matches. Staff were attentive and friendly but not overbearing. The restaurant itself is cosy and warm. Have been to Tom Kerridges 2-star pub and this was a lot better in terms of food, atmosphere and staff.
We have just had the most exquisite lunch at The Cottage in The Wood. A delightful setting with wonderful views over the northern fells. Very friendly and attentive staff who gave us a warm welcome and great service while we enjoyed the fabulous food and wines in a relaxed environment. Highly recommended!
We originally booked to stay before the pandemic and in the end decided to rearrange our booking rather than cancel. While we were slightly apprehensive about visiting with the current restrictions, we definitely made the right decision. Kath and the team have found the perfect balance between safety and hospitality. The food was incredible and the location is perfect for great walking straight from the door. We cant wait to go back.
A fantastic restaurant and great attention from all the staft. Fully deserving of its Michelin star and dealing with the covid 19 situation brilliantly.
The food was fantastic, go for the tasting menu absolutely sublime. Great choice of wines. OMG, treacle bread, I have never tasted anything so good. Amazing lunch with the added bonus of the views and red squirrels.
Fantastic food, we had the cumbrian tasting menu and it was delicious! The venison and the scallop were highlights. Interesting wines, well priced and also tasty. We stayed in the garden room which had stunning views and lots of red squirrels. Hosts were lovely and very helpful and the breakfast kept up the high standards. A well deserved 5 stars!
Had the evening tasting menu last night.Food was amazing.I am gluten free with a pork allergy and intolerances and not easy for me to eat out but chef tweeked the menu to suit my diet and everything was fantastic. The pear cocktails fabulous.service impeccable.
Super food, great service
Stunningly beautiful food both visually and taste wise. Unusual combinations. Perfect service always there when needed but never hovering. It was a joy to watch 2 red squirrels taking turns in a feeder, a definite added attraction. The staff were helpful and well informed. Excellent toilets.
Very nice meal. Very well organised to beCovid secure.
Perfectly hosted fabulous food and always a red squirrel delight
Superb food, fabulous location
Amazing food, fabulous setting and the service was fantastic..
A lovely welcome and food of the quality you would expect from a Michelin star restaurant. However, the ambience was lacking, not helped by our table being in the conservatory area. With no radiators, there appeared to be no heating in there at all so it was a decidedly cool affair overall.
We have just had an exceptional meal here. We were overwhelmed by the beautiful food, excellent customer service (Kath and the team are lovely) and immaculate restaurant. Highly recommended.
I havent got a bad word to say about The Cottage in the Wood. From the warm and friendly welcome from the owner our stay was excellent. The room was lovely and the location cant be beaten. Its on the main Whinlatter Pass but traffic noise isnt a problem, theres probably more cyclists than cars a lot of the time. We walked it to the Winlatter Forest visitor centre in around 5-10 mins and went for a lovely walk through the forest. We opted for the dinner, bed and breakfast package which Id recommend. The food was great, and really felt like you were eating seasonal, local produce. In the morning, breakfast was just as good and the views are stunning across the forests to Skiddaw. We were also visited by a number of red squirrels feeding while we ate which was a real treat.
A beautiful setting, great hosts , exceptional staff and amazing food. A must for people who appreciate fine dining in a fabulous location
Fabulous restaurant with rooms. Welcoming, friendly staff, great location and excellent food. My room had view of the forest and mountains. During breakfast, entertained by red squirrels visiting the feeders. Easy to walk to Whinlatter Forest and up Grisedale Pike from hotel. Will definitely make a return visit.
This restaurant provides first class service with amazing cuisine. We picked the taster menu and it was a glorious festival of flavours. The ambience was very welcoming and cozy. Monica was excellent - she was knowledgeable about the dishes and was very friendly and attentive.
We dropped by for dinner. The service was excellent from start to finish, mostly matched by the food. Starters and dessert excellent, with a great cheese board. Only the pork main being slightly tough stops five stars. Id happily return, and I suspect their rooms are lovely too. Ambience is excellent and wine list is good. Value is excellent all things considered.
Lovely cottage in a lovely location.
Just on our way home from 3 excellent days at the Cottage in tbe Woods in the Lakes. Location, bedrooms, staff, hosts and food of the highest order. Cannot fault it in anyway. Congratulations to all concerned and thanks for a lovely break. Phil Rooms
We love this little gem. Food is top end, great staff.
Amazing food, setting and service. The cooking not only makes the most of local produce, it is a subtle and accurate evocation of Cumbrian landscapes reimagined as food. Stream, woodland, sea, mountain... it was a wonderful, memorable experience.
Thoroughly enjoyable, pleasant staff, efficient service and really good food. Cant praise them enough. Will be back again soon.
From the warm welcome to saying goodbye we could not fault this little gem. Having eaten at a few Michelin star restaurants we can honestly say that the taster menu was superb , along with the wine flight it was an unforgettable experience. We will be back to sample more exiting favours.
Unfortunately, the place doesnt welcome 14 year old children as part of group for dinner. Dissapointed. However, lovely place and nice food... for adults
Exquisite food, so friendly and welcoming, stunning views and a very relaxing place to stay. If youve spent the day hiking up Scafell Pike it basically feels like Rivendell in LOTR...
Excellent meal - fully deserve their new Michelin star!
Loved our stay at Cottage in the Woods. The staff were very accommodating and attentive without being intrusive. We had the tasting menu and wine pairing which was incredible - could not rate highly enough It was all the small touches that made the stay from homemade soap in the bathroom to coffee and cake on arrival
This is an outstanding little gem in the Lakes. Beautiful location with gorgeous garden full of bird feeders attracting a huge variation of birds which can be observed from the terrace. Food and service outstanding. Accommodation comfy but on the pricey side. Thoroughly recommended for lunch if travelling through the area or an overnight stay with dinner and breakfast for a special occasion.
Fantastic food and friendly hosts
Exquisite place to stay and eat..Michelin starred and well deserved..
Great service and menus. We had the taste menu which was excellent and had wine to match each course. Portions could have been 30% larger.
Very bad management.. booked a table online for my wife s birthday and instantly received a call back to say children weren t welcome and they would have to cancel my reservation.
Great place please go
Three things stood out, the people, the service and the food. It is a fantastic place tucked away - er - in the woods - but very much worth seeking out. They do a three course meal at a very reasonable price for the exquisite combination of flavours and textures we were served.
Fabulous food with caring service. A special treat.
What a fantastic place, had a delicious dinner, very comfortable night and the best breakfast ever, friendly service - lovely people Cant wait to go back for some more r&r (icing on the cake was watching a red squirrel enjoy breakfast on the feeder whilst we were enjoying ours)
I d like to give 3.5 stars. The food is very good, and so is the service, the environment / interior is very bland and doesn t match the price point of the restaurant. My main issue is the price is vastly inflated compared what you get. We ate here 3 years ago and did the tasting menu with wine pairing. Tonight we did the same but it s now 25% more expensive but with no improvement in terms of quality or quantity. I don t mind spending money on good food and wine but I feel maybe the management are being slightly greedy and need to re-establish their offering. An example would be the £65 per person tasting menu doesn t include a cheese course, but they try to charge £10 pp extra for it, Which seems unnecessary. Overall it s a good meal but having spent £250 for two people I did leave feeing overcharged and slightly underwhelmed.
Fantastic restaurant in a beautiful mountain setting. The food and service was exceptional.
Thank you very much for a lovely evening. Great advice for local attractions before meal when we booked. Accommodating staff . nice atmosphere. Had taster menu . Friends had a la carte. Lovely lovely food . Good wine combos two with intersting taste combinatioms. Beer selection could of been more intersting but kept to philosophy of local so ok with that.wines good varied and interesting.even coffee nice too. Price ok and standard for this sort of quality. Venue nice with nice outside space for relaxing pre meal. Bit worried if i give it too good a review will struggle to get space next year but lets face it they deserve the praise and I respect their philosophy of raising the standards of British food. . Thank you . Ian Sam Nick and Andrew
Wonderful food, wonderful area, one of the great meals of our lives. R & M.
Cannot rate The Cottage In The Wood highly enough! Kath and the team work wonders - not only in the restaurant (the food is fantastic!) but also running a great hotel. The rooms are incredibly comfortable and the location is great - nestled on the Whinlatter Pass with access to all the best the lakes have to offer. Highly recommend staying here (or at the very least for dinner) - we definitely will be again! Thanks for making our stay awesome :)
We found this hotel by chance and what a find. We stayed in The garden room which was down a few steps through the garden. It was furnished beautifully, clean warm and cosy. The food was amazing!! The staff super friendly and helpful. If we could give more than 5 Stars....WE WOULD !!
Absolutely fantastic, perfect service and the quality of the food and drink is first class. Locally sourced and considered menu, the perfect place to celebrate.
We had one lovely overnight stay in the garden room. A tranquil place.with lovely staff and attention to detail. The food is excellent. The cottage is a place to stay where you are made to feel very welcome. We shall return.
A Fantastic dining experience.
We had an an amazing weekend at the Cottage in the Wood with perfect service, great rooms nicest staff and wonderful food.
We had a fantastic time here in August on our Foodie trip through the North. Our stay was sandwiched between Lenclume and Holbeck Ghyll, and in terms of the food it certainly wasnt hidden. While Lenclume has the theatre and experience aspect of dining, what Kath and her small team produced was nothing short of incredible, and of the three places we stayed I had the best thought out meal in terms of flavours, textures and produce here. The accommodation and location were also fantastic, with stunning views towards Skiddaw. If were ever back in the Lakes again, we will certainly be stopping again.
Excellent place to stay and eat. B&B excellent. Welcome excellent. Evening food excellent. Plus you might see a Red Squirrel.
Amazing, interesting food, lovely friendly service, in the middle of some stunning views and serious hills and valleys
Fantastic setting, lovely food, and made to feel very welcome and relaxed
Brilliant food, warm welcome, beautiful location .... What else could you want ?
The cottage in the woods captures everything you think of when you hear the name with the addition of superb service, fabulous food and ran by a team that not only love their surroundings, they want to make sure you do as well. Fine dining using local produce is probably understating their offering, their attention to every detail would lead me to believe this well oiled machine always has an empty plate returned to the kitchen. Both the taster menu and the al a carte are both winners in our opinion. Simply Superb. Thank you! Ben & Lizzie.
Brilliant hotel located on Whinlatter Pass in Whinlatter Forest. No mobile phone signal so peace is guaranteed but they have landlines and WiFi should you be in need of contact with the world. The owners are very friendly, welcoming and clearly have a passion for their business and the staff are a credit to this too - youre welcomed as though youre a close friend or family member coming to visit. The food is of excellent quality and made with local ingredients as much as possible. Rooms are well appointed and cosy, beds comfortable and en suite. Keswick is a 10-15 drive away. In short this hotel is a must and I find it difficult to fault on anything really, its not the cheapest hotel Ive stayed in but the price is a bargain for the quality of accommodation, welcome and food. We have stayed twice and will certainly be back!
Good B&B with a fantastic restaurant and great views and run by people who cant do enough for you.
A lovely, quaint hotel