- Liberty Wines Service Award 2026
Set high above Whinlatter Forest at the northern end of the Lake District, The Cottage in the Wood boasts one of the most spectacular dining room views in the country. Perched 1,000 feet up on Whinlatter Pass, the restaurant looks out across the dense conifer canopy of the forest towards the Skiddaw mountain range and the distant waters of Bassenthwaite Lake.
Long an important fixture of Cumbria's food scene, the restaurant-with-rooms entered a new era in 2024 when it was taken over by husband-and-wife team Jack and Beth Bond. Remarkably, the property retained its Michelin star despite inspectors visiting just days after the handover. Jack Bond brings a broader restaurant pedigree than many chefs working in the Lakes, having spent time in leading London kitchens as well as at Eleven Madison Park in New York. His cooking is modern and refined while remaining rooted in exceptional local produce from Cumbria and the surrounding region.
The tasting menu, which runs to around seven courses, balances technical precision with warmth and generosity. Dishes have included squid ragù with pecorino and basil; monkfish with pumpkin and Café de Paris butter; and a comforting dessert of rhubarb, ginger and custard.
Front of house is overseen by Beth Bond, whose experience also includes some of London's leading restaurants, alongside former L'Enclume team member Joel Pennington. Service strikes a notably contemporary tone for the region - polished and knowledgeable without feeling overly formal - while the wine offering leans towards low-intervention and natural producers.
Overnight stays remain a major part of the experience, with breakfast made all the more memorable by the resident squirrels that gather outside the terrace windows. Guests may also spot the site's two cockerels, which have developed a habit of stealing the squirrels' food - an unlikely subplot that has become part of the restaurant's charm.
