The Cottage in the Wood

The 'excellent personal service' and 'superb' cooking are liked at this restaurant-with-rooms, a 17th-century coaching inn on Whinlatter Pass. 'A lovely, lovely place to stay,' says a visitor in 2009. It is owned by Kath and Liam Berney. She runs front-of-house, he is the chef, using local produce for his modern European dishes, eg, Cumbrian charcuterie, melon and rocket salad; breast of Goosnargh chicken, bacon and colcannon. The bedrooms are decorated in cottage style: a room in the attic has a roll-top bath and separate shower; two superior rooms with views towards Skiddaw have a sleigh bed; smaller rooms have brass bed, pine furniture. Guests have a cosy sitting room with walking magazines, books and games; in summer they can sit in the small garden. Breakfast has fresh grapefruit, yogurts, fruit; a cooked platter. (Hilary Blakemore)