At the ‘Oscars’ of the UK hospitality business, a hotel in the gorgeous Lake District was crowned the finest in England.
The Forest Side Hotel was named the AA Hotel of the Year for the entire country at the AA Hospitality Awards 2023.
The old mansion has been turned into a hotel on the outskirts of Grasmere and Ambleside, complete with a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Inspectors commended The Forest Side, less than two hours from Manchester, for its attractive furnishings, relaxing environment, and outstanding cuisine menu, including fruit cultivated in its own walled garden.
The hotel is made of Lakeland stone and is thought to have been erected around 1853.
It now has 20 lovely bedrooms, each designed in traditional English with finely patterned wallpapers and textiles.
The Forest Side offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and lake.
“Located on the outskirts of Grasmere village, this former mansion house has been lovingly converted into a charming and relaxing hotel,” stated AA inspectors.
“Dinner is a must – the kitchen team collaborates closely with local suppliers and grows much of their own produce in the walled garden or foraging in the surrounding area.”
“The bedrooms have stunning views of the hills and countryside beyond.”
“I’m not going to lie – we’re absolutely buzzing to win the AA Hotel of the Year for England. It’s an absolutely mega-achievement for us all at The Forest Side,” Alasdair Elwick of Forest Side in the Lake District said after winning England’s Hotel of the Year at the AA Hospitality Awards.
“We work so hard doing our thing, in our own way and in the way we want to do it, and our guests love it, and our honest and genuine approach has clearly been recognised.” We’re going to have a fantastic celebration!”
Grasmere is famous for its craggy fells, with some of the most amazing hikes in the country centred in the hills that surround the hamlet and The Forest Side.
It’s also well-known for its gingerbread, including a gingerbread store in the hamlet.
This is the environment that influenced poet William Wordsworth, and there are other attractions in the region, including the Wordsworth daffodil garden.
For those looking to stay and dine, The Forest Side offers many packages, including a two-night Autumn Getaway bargain starting at £799, which includes supper and bed and breakfast.
“One more fell from a great mood…” Chris writes for numerous online publications, having studied at The University College of North Wales, Bangor. He is regularly in The Lake District and enjoys wild camping, hiking and watersports. His favourite location? Muncaster Castle…
