Last Updated on April 30, 2026 by dancinginhighheelsft
Nestled in the heart of the Lake District, The Forest Side is an elegant Victorian Gothic mansion set within 43 acres of woodland and gardens above Grasmere.
With sweeping views across one of England’s most celebrated landscapes — famously admired by William Wordsworth — the hotel offers a quietly luxurious retreat that feels deeply connected to its surroundings. Combining heritage architecture with contemporary comfort, it is best known for its Michelin-starred restaurant, led by Paul Leonard, where the menu reflects the landscape in both philosophy and execution.
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The Room
The hotel offers just 20 bedrooms, each individually designed and named after trees found within the grounds.
We stayed in the Oak, one of the five Master Suites — a calm, thoughtfully designed space that balances classic country house style with contemporary detailing. Interiors feature fabrics and wall coverings by Zoffany, alongside soft neutral tones that create a sense of quiet retreat.
A Westmorland bed by Harrison Spinks — made to an exclusive design — ensured a particularly comfortable night’s sleep, while handcrafted Herdwick wool carpets by Wools of Cumbria added a subtle sense of place.
On arrival, a handwritten welcome card and a slice of the day’s house cake were waiting — a simple but genuinely warm introduction to the stay.
Bathrooms are finished to a high standard, with natural limestone tiles, Farrow & Ball wall coverings, and carefully selected fixtures.
Ours featured both a rainfall shower and a deep, double-ended bath — ideal after a long journey through the surrounding fells. Bramley bath and body products, made in the British countryside, completed the experience with a subtle, natural fragrance.
For those travelling with dogs, The Forest Side offers a welcoming, if slightly structured, approach.
Dogs are accommodated in a select number of rooms, and Charlotte was provided with a bed, bowls, a throw, and treats on arrival. Dogs are welcome in the lounges between 2pm and 6pm, making it easy to enjoy a drink together, though they are not permitted in the restaurant — something worth noting when planning your stay.
The Food
Dining is very much at the heart of the experience. The Michelin-starred restaurant focuses on hyper-seasonal, ingredient-led cooking, with around 60% of produce sourced directly from the hotel’s own gardens and kitchen garden.
The dining room itself is light-filled and understated, designed to blur the line between indoors and out, with natural materials and locally crafted ceramics adding to the sense of place.
We opted for the eight-course tasting menu, which showcased the kitchen’s precise and confident approach. Highlights included peas dressed in chicken fat with smoked eel and seaweed custard, hand-dived scallop with morel and cured pork jowl, and a beautifully balanced rhubarb and custard dessert.
Menus change regularly with the seasons, but the kitchen’s commitment to provenance and restraint ensures a consistently thoughtful experience year-round.
Reaching The Forest Side is relatively straightforward, even without a car. The nearest train station is Windermere railway station, which is well connected to major cities including London (via Oxenholme Lake District).
From Windermere, the hotel is around a 20-minute drive. We opted for a taxi, which was both convenient and scenic — a gentle introduction to the Lake District, winding through rolling countryside and towards Grasmere.
For those driving, the hotel offers on-site parking, and the journey allows for a more flexible way to explore the surrounding fells and nearby villages. However, arriving by train and continuing by taxi felt seamless and made for a relaxed start to the stay.
Overall, The Forest Side offers a refined yet relaxed take on the country house hotel — one that feels both luxurious and deeply connected to its surroundings.
While its dog-friendly offering comes with a few limitations, the combination of exceptional food, considered design, and a peaceful Lake District setting makes it a standout choice. For those seeking a boutique countryside escape with Michelin-starred dining, this is one of the most compelling stays in the region.
With thanks to The Forest Side for hosting us.
If you’re planning a wider UK stay with your dog, I’ve also rounded up my favourite stays in this guide to the best dog-friendly hotels across the UK.
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- My stay at The Forest Side was complimentary; however, all views and photographs are entirely my own. This article may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
