By Paul Johnson on Aug 18, 2023 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Restaurants, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

On the fringes of the popular village of Grasmere, famed not only for its gingerbread but also its literary connections with poet William Wordsworth, lies The Forest Side – a secluded Victorian haven where you can not only stay in luxury but also experience a Michelin-starred culinary journey that blends the richness of local ingredients with the artistry of modern gastronomy.

The welcome

After parking our car close to the hotel’s kitchen garden and walking up the sweeping drive to The Forest Side among a symphony of birdsong, we were warmly greeted at reception, given a brief tour of the ground floor (and where we would be dining later), and personally shown to our room.

The room

Rooms at The Forest Side are categorised as ‘Cosy’, ‘Superb’ and ‘Master’. Stepping into ‘Oak’, an exquisite Master bedroom, we were immediately struck by the contemporary elegance and space afforded by the room, at the centre of which is a beautiful canopy bed, adorned with luxurious bed linen.

The mix of earthy hues and tasteful furnishings – the work of renowned designer James Mackie – combined with plenty of natural light streaming in through the expansive windows that overlook the grounds, and the softness of hand crafted deep pile Herdwick carpet underfoot, ensured we were in for a very comfortable stay – one that evoked an ambiance no doubt reminiscent of the tranquillity and serenity that Wordsworth famously sought in…

Read Full Article Source