Braithwaite

The Cottage in the Wood

Braithwaite, Cumbria

The woodland setting of this restaurant-with-rooms offers tranquillity and Michelin-starred dining that suits walkers as well as those looking to sit back and relax. More

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Good Hotel Guide Review

The woodland setting of this restaurant-with-rooms offers tranquillity and Michelin-starred dining that suits walkers as well as those looking to sit back and relax. Liam and Kath Berney’s 17th-century cottage in Whinlatter Forest enjoys views to Skiddaw and surroundings teeming with wildlife. A very ‘personal hotel’, with ‘hands-on’ owners, its boutique bedrooms have shimmery wallpapers and pale-wood furnishings as well as fresh milk and home-made shortbread. Some are small but offer ‘a comfy bed and a great view of the mountains’. Modern bathrooms can be a squeeze but have a decent shower and good-sized bath – ideal for sprucing up after a day’s walking. Then it’s canapés in the lounge before moving into the candlelit dining room to enjoy Ben Wilkinson’s ‘faultless cooking’. It’s a very short-choice menu, as a reader points out, but there’s a tasting menu option, too. ‘Beautifully balanced’ dishes might include hogget with lentils, spiced carrot and roast sweetbread, and cured trout with oyster cream, dill and cucumber. Breakfast includes home-made yogurt granola, omelettes and creamy scrambled eggs. (Peter Anderson, SP)

Hotel details

Address

Magic Hill
Whinlatter Forest
Braithwaite
Cumbria
CA12 5TW
England

Telephone

01768 778409

Bedrooms

9. 1 in the garden with separate entrance.

Open

all year except 25/26 Dec, 2nd and 3rd week Jan, closed Sun, Mon.

Facilities

lounge, restaurant, in-room TV (Freeview), drying room, secure bicycle storage, terraced garden, 2 acres of woodland, restaurant and public areas wheelchair accessible, adapted toilet.

Background music

none.

Children

not under 10.

Dogs

not allowed.

Credit cards

MC, Visa.

Prices

D,B&B doubles from £270, singles ring to check. Set dinner £65, tasting menu £75. 1-night bookings refused weekends.

Good Hotel Guide articles about
The Cottage in the Wood

Britain magazine: 10 of the best hotels for Autumn breaks
The Sun: Ten amazing UK hotels where breathtaking scenery comes as standard
Britain magazine: 10 of Britain’s loveliest hotels with a view
Woman and Home: Hotel rooms with the most incredible views in Britain and Ireland
The Lady: 10 of the best restaurants with rooms for an autumn break
We Love Cycling: Six hotels for cycling holidays in the UK
Evening Standard: Six of the best hotels in the Lake District
Independent.co.uk: Britain’s Best Hotel Rooms with a View

Comments about The Cottage in the Wood

A warm welcome. Dinner was delicious; dishes beautifully balanced, and we did not feel we had over-eaten. Our room with view was comfortable. Liam and Kate are excellent hosts. A lovely couple of nights. - Sara Price - May 2019

We thought everything about this small, personal hotel was excellent. The accommodation, the evening meal, breakfast, the quality of the wine, the helpfulness of the staff and the overall atmosphere could not be faulted. It provided good value for money which is not always the case. The quantity of the food in the evening meal was not large but at the end of the meal we felt that we had eaten enough: good food and wine served by knowledgeable staff (including one of the owners) - - August 2018

From the first phone-call to book, we realised that this was a unique place. Kath and Liam tcreated an extraordinary environment, and it was as though we were staying with friends. They could not have been more helpful. Our room overlooked the terrace and the mountains and was in perfect order. The food was an inspiration, prepared with but care . A special place where the owners have translated their passion and hard work through to their staff; the enthusiasm is addictive. - Neil Leaver - June 2018

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Last updated: October, 2019. Information from the 2020 Good Hotel Guide

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