The Forest Side

The Forest Side, a Michelin-starred hotel and restaurant in Grasmere

The Forest Side is a four-star hotel and restaurant located in Grasmere, in the heart of the English Lake District. It occupies a Gothic mansion built as a retreat and linked to the landscape and the work of Wordsworth. The house welcomed guests for more than a century before remaining closed for a time; it has now been restored while preserving its original character.

Seasonal restaurant with changing menus

The restaurant is a bright, airy space designed to let the food take centre stage. The kitchen is led by Head Chef Paul Leonard and is guided by the seasons, which is why produce is grown on site and why there are long-standing relationships with local producers. The menus evolve according to what is at its best and according to Leonard's approach to cooking. The dining offering includes seasonal menus, Michelin-starred dinners, wine and cocktail lists, and breakfast.

Twenty bedrooms in three categories

The hotel has twenty bedrooms spread across three categories: Cosy, Superb and Master. The Cosy rooms are smaller, warm and snug; the Superb rooms are more spacious and have views over the hotel gardens; the Master rooms offer outstanding views and high-quality bathrooms. All are designed for rest and comfort, with natural materials and beds made to our own specifications. There is also a category of dog-friendly rooms and accessible rooms.

Stays, celebrations and events

The property offers dinner, bed and breakfast packages that include four- or eight-course menus and a full Cumbrian breakfast. The site's catalogue shows, among other options, a stay with a four-course Michelin-starred dinner, bed and breakfast from £449, and a two-night stay with two different Michelin-starred dinners and breakfast from £878. It also offers last-minute escapes, gift vouchers and Michelin-starred lunch menus.

For celebrations, the hotel has a private dining room for intimate dinners, birthdays, anniversaries and business lunches, and offers the possibility of exclusive use of the property. It hosts weddings in an intimate setting with views over the Lake District landscape, as well as Christmas and New Year stays.

Surroundings and nearby visits

The hotel presents itself as accommodation integrated into the Lake District landscape and lists among nearby points of interest Allan Bank, Dove Cottage, Grasmere Gingerbread, Rydal Mount & Gardens and St. Oswald's Church. The house itself, its gardens and its interiors are described as part of the accommodation experience.

Location and contact

Keswick Road, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9RN · Email: info@theforestside.com