Name: The Borrowdale Hotel

Where: Borrowdale Valley CA12 5UY

Email: borowdale@lakedistrict hotels.net

Website: www.lakedistricthotels.net/borrowdalehotel

Tel: 017687 77224

Opening hours: Open daily from 8am to 10pm.

Owner: Lake District Hotels Ltd

Head chef: Robert Weston

History: The hotel opened its doors in 1866, just a year after the railway reached Keswick and Victorian visitors began exploring the Borrowdale Valley. One of the first coaching inns, it gained a reputation for fine hospitality and was patronised by HRH Prince Arthur, The Prince of Wales.

Style of food: Classic and modern British.

Menu sample: The table d’hote menu changes daily but a typical day includes starters of cream of leek and potato soup; chicken and chorizo ballantine served with fruit chutney, toasted brioche; homemade fishcake, watercress, tartare sauce, bean sprouts; pan seared wood pigeon, shallot puree, rocket and pecan salad, garlic balsamic glaze.

Intermediary course, mango sorbet or grilled sea trout fillet with samphire.

Mains feature traditional roasted Lakeland sirloin beef, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables, potatoes and horseradish sauce; pan roasted Goosnargh duck breast, puy lentils, savoy cabbage, butternut squash puree and orange sauce; grilled Cumbrian lamb rump, roasted sweet potato, curly kale, honey roasted parsnips and redcurrant and rosemary jus; oven-baked stuffed plaice fillet, chive mash, asparagus spears, ratatouille vegetables, saffron cream; pan seared swordfish supreme, warm niçoise salad with lightly poached egg and pesto oil.

Desserts include fresh fruit salad with cream or ice cream; lemon and ginger sponge with ice cream; apple crumble and custard; milk chocolate parfait with amaretto glaze.

In their own words: General manager George Smith, said: “Food and the Lake District go hand in hand, so it is not surprising that we are passionate about both. Residents and non-residents return time and time again to enjoy the excellent personal service and taste the delights of our menu and the wine list.

“There is a very old sign over the dining room door which says ‘When good fayre and good service be sought, courteous attire should trouble ye nought’.”