Cumbria has been named among the UK’s leading places for food-lovers.

This is according to ‘The Restaurant Guide 2023’ published by the AA, which they say is the perfect guide to the UK’s top dining destinations, featuring over 1,400 restaurants which have been awarded Rosettes for culinary excellence by their inspectors.

 The top three counties in the UK with the highest number of restaurants featured in The Restaurant Guide 2023 are: North Yorkshire (68), Devon (59), and Cumbria (57).

One such restaurant to be given the prestigious rosettes is the Pentonbridge Inn, in the titular village of Penton in the far north of the county.

Chris Archer, head chef, said after receiving the rosettes: “It’s our ambition for Pentonbridge Inn to be a must-visit destination for diners from across the country and retaining our three AA Rosettes is a brilliant testament to the team’s creativity, talent and hard work.

“It’s a proud moment for everyone.

“We’re creating something really special here and are committed to delivering excellence in everything we do across the whole dining experience.”

Pentonbridge Inn have an eight-course tasting menu featuring ingredients from the restored walled garden of its sister business, Netherby Hall, a historic stately home near Longtown.

Another fine dining restaurant in Cumbria is Keswick’s The Cottage in the Wood.

The Michelin star restaurant, which is nestled 1,000 ft high in the Whinlatter mountain forest, has been listed as number 81 in the Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards for the best restaurants in the UK.

The convivial and serene spot offers contemporary dining with a focus on Cumbrian produce – proudly feeding mouths with meat sourced from the surrounding fells; freshly landed fish and shellfish from west coast harbours; and a host of wild foods foraged from the forest.

Simon Numphud, managing director of AA Media, said: “We are delighted to publish the leading guide to the UK’s top dining destinations, with 150 new establishments added to The Restaurant Guide 2023.

“From Northern Stars to the Heart of England, Scotland to the capital, the restaurants in this year’s Guide demonstrate the high quality of culinary experiences across the country, offering delicious food and service of the highest standard.”

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