With scenic views and the friendliest of people, festive dining in the Lake District is a wholesome way to celebrate the Christmas period. This year, our hotels have gone above and beyond with brand new Christmas lights that serve to illuminate Keswick, Glenridding and Borrowdale…you will find yourself transported to a magical scene straight out of a Christmas film.
Famously, food plays an integral role in the festive period symbolising all the things that we value when celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. It offers an opportunity to socialise, to indulge in delicious seasonal flavours and to create memories with loved ones that will last a lifetime. Whether you choose to eat with family, friends, or colleagues, festive dining offers the perfect way to catch up.
With six hotels to choose from, we can offer a plethora of festive dining options in the Lake District. Here are some of our favourites:
Yuletide Afternoon Tea
Experience all your favourite Christmas flavours in the form of our festive-inspired Afternoon Tea. Delight your senses with our freshly baked scones, paired with clotted cream and fruity jam. Satisfy your sweet cravings with an array of decadent cakes showcasing the best flavours of the season. Enjoy our delicate finger sandwiches meticulously crafted by our expert Chefs and sip freshly brewed tea whilst taking in the surrounding merry atmosphere.
Afternoon Tea is available to prebook at Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, Inn on the Lake, and Borrowdale Hotel.
Slow-cooked beef brisket
Indulge in the rich, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of our slow-cooked beef brisket, meticulously braised to perfection in a luxurious infusion of mulled wine. Accompanied by a bed of creamy mash potato that complements the robust flavours, this dish is elevated by a velvety red wine and thyme jus. Savour the delightful contrast of textures with crispy fried pickles that provide a satisfying crunch, while the velvety butternut squash puree lends a touch of sweetness.
Available: Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, Inn on the Lake, Inn on the Square.
Pigs under blankets butty or ‘No pigs wrapped in this blanket.’
Prepare to delight in the comforting and satisfying flavours of our Pigs under Blankets Butty. Featuring a succulent Cumberland sausage ring enveloped in layers of oak-smoked bacon and warm sage and onion stuffing, this sandwich is a celebration of hearty indulgence. Nestled within a freshly baked white Lovingly Artisan ciabatta, it’s a perfect marriage of textures and taste. This butty is complemented by a fruity sauce that enhances a delightful sweetness, promising a symphony of heartwarming flavours.
Available: Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, Inn on the Lake, Skiddaw Hotel, Kings Arms Hotel.
At the Skiddaw Hotel, treat yourself to the innovative and flavourful No Pigs Wrapped in This Blanket Butty, a plant-based twist on a seasonal classic. Featuring a Quorn Cumberland Sausage paired harmoniously with the tangy crunch of shredded pickled red cabbage, this meat-free marvel offers a perfect blend of taste and texture. A generous helping of warm sage and onion stuffing is nestled within, with a dollop of cranberry houmous which delivers a note of sweetness.
Festive Lentil & Chestnut Wellington.
The Festive Lentil & Chestnut Wellington is a delectable centrepiece that brings together a medley of vibrant, plant-based ingredients. Encased in perfectly cooked pastry, this Wellington boasts a sumptuous filling of lentils and chestnuts, enhanced with the sweetness of cranberries and apricots, creating a delightful symphony of flavours in every bite. This vegetarian masterpiece is accompanied by sauteed green beans for a burst of freshness and orange and maple butter-covered rainbow root vegetables which adds a sweet and tangy element. Relish in the comforting warmth of braised apple and red cabbage infused with port, alongside crispy roast potatoes with a tender middle.
Available: Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, Inn on the Lake, Borrowdale Hotel, Inn on the Square.
Chicken Ballotine
Experience culinary excellence with our exquisite Chicken Ballotine. Each tender chicken breast is meticulously rolled with a delicious combination of sun-dried tomatoes and olives, infusing every slice with a burst of Mediterranean-inspired richness. Hidden within lies a decadent filling of goats’ cheese that adds a luxurious creaminess. This elegant dish is accompanied by tender and flavourful confit potatoes and a crisp bed of winter cabbage. To tie this up, a luscious pan jus enhances every bite with its depth of flavour.
Available: Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, Inn on the Lake, Inn on the Square.
Traditional Turkey Dinner
Now it wouldn’t be Christmas without a traditional turkey dinner, would it? Indulge in this festive classic with succulent roast turkey and tasteful pigs-in-blankets. Enjoy a harmony of flavours with fruity cranberry and onion stuffing, rich pan gravy, and tender rainbow root vegetables glazed in orange and maple butter. This dish is complemented by braised apple and red cabbage, crispy roast potatoes, and Brussels sprouts with sage butter.
Available across all 6 of our hotels: Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, Inn on the Lake, Inn on the Square, Skiddaw Hotel, Kings Arms Hotel, Borrowdale Hotel.
Whisky & Marmalade Glazed Gammon Joint.
This succulent gammon joint is expertly glazed with a delightful infusion of whisky and marmalade, imparting a tantalisingly rich and caramelised finish. Accompanying this centrepiece is a symphony of delectable flavours: mulled wine-infused red cabbage and a redcurrant jus that elevates every bite with its fruity sweetness. Delight in the vibrant medley of rainbow root vegetables, lovingly coated in an orange and maple butter alongside a port-infused braised apple and red cabbage. The ensemble is completed with the comforting familiarity of crispy roast potatoes and Brussels sprouts kissed with sage butter, offering a harmonious blend of textures and aromas that enhance the indulgent experience.
Available: Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa and Kings Arms Hotel.
Christmas Hiker’s Board.
Indulge in a delightful array of savoury and sweet treats that promise to satisfy your festive cravings. Our popular Hiker’s Board has had a festive makeover! This unique twist on Afternoon Tea is the perfect way to catch up with family and friends. Here’s what’s included:
- Cranberry & candied peel scone.
- Deep-fried Churros.
- Milk chocolate & gingerbread delice.
- Mince pie ball.
- Smoked salmon & spinach sausage roll.
- Potted Scottish brown crab on sourdough toast.
- Thirlmere venison “slider”.
- Turkey, sage & onion croquettes.
- Maple glazed Cumbrian “pigs-in-blankets”.
- Mini pork, port & stilton pie.
- Festive fries.
This tasty assortment invites you to savour diverse flavours and textures that complement the season beautifully.
Available at Skiddaw Hotel.
Festive beer - North Pole Nectar.
Introducing ‘North Pole Nectar’ an exquisite amber ale crafted exclusively for the 2023 Christmas season by Lake District Hotels. Embark on a flavourful journey with each sip as this brew enhances the senses with its rich amber hue and a captivating, distinctive spicy hop aroma. Cheers to Christmas with this enchanting, limited-edition ale, a true delight for beer enthusiasts seeking a taste of the festive spirit. This is available in all six of our hotels.
