The Black Bull
Sedbergh, Cumbria
Good Hotel Guide Review
This 17th-century coaching inn has sleek, elegant bedrooms and highly creative food, but retains its warm, pubby credentials. It joins our main entries this year. Sitting on Sedbergh’s main street, and with views to the Howgill fells (you can climb the hills direct from the pub), it’s a place where dogs, drinkers and diners mingle happily. Dales-born James Ratcliffe and chef/partner Nina Matsunaga are keen to showcase local producers. There are local wool carpets, handwoven blanket throws and striking photographs of the surrounding landscape in the ‘very comfortable’ bedrooms with fuss-free furnishings. Bathrooms are ultra-modern, some with a deep freestanding bath. Some ensuites have transparent glass doors. Nina’s innovative Japanese-inspired cooking transforms local produce, ‘each course a surprise in its presentation and flavour’: perhaps scallop with lotus root and shiso followed by Herdwick lamb with sesame and Korean chilli. The wine list is ‘unusual’ and carefully chosen. Breakfast wins equal praise for its variety including mushrooms on toast, Welsh rarebit and a full grill. (Bill Wood)
Hotel details
Address
44 Main Street
Sedbergh
Cumbria
LA10 5BL
England
Telephone
015396 20264
Bedrooms
18.
Open
every day May–Oct, Wed–Sun Nov–Apr, restaurant open Wed–Sun year round, closed 25 Dec.
Facilities
bar, restaurant, in-room TV (Freeview), 1-acre garden (outdoor bar, beer garden), parking, bar and restaurant wheelchair accessible, adapted toilet.
Background music
in public rooms.
Children
all ages welcomed, extra bed £22.
Dogs
allowed in several bedrooms (£25 per stay, welcome pack), bar, garden area, not in restaurant.
Credit cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B doubles from £139. À la carte £37. Min. 2-night stay at weekends.