Reviews Forest Side

We came here for the 6 course lunch taster menu. The hotel is stunning and has gorgeous grounds. The food was obviously delicious and the chefs were very enthusiastic when coming to the table to describe the dishes. Our server seemed a little bit fed up (which fair enough everyone has bad days). And the cocktail i had was amazing. We were given a voucher for the restaurant / hotel as a wedding present last year so it was great that we finally got to use it!

Forest side is lovely. We had a dog friendly room which was perfect for us. It needed a bit more closet space but other than that it was great. Dinner was superb as we're the breakfasts. Highly recommend.

Absolutely exceptional. Everything was perfect. We are yet to see what the rooms are like. We came for lunch - 6 course tasting menu. The whole experience was perfect and food was incredible. Can't wait to come back!!

The accommodations at Forest Side were outstanding in every way. The entrance to the lodge is absolutely beautiful and my anticipation as we were driving up was quite high. And then, we rounded the corner, and the Lodge came into view. It was breathtakingly stunning. My stay was perfect. From the beautiful ensuite room, to the delicious food, to the individuals that I was fortunate to meet that worked at the Lodge, I could not have asked for more in any regards. If you are staying in this beautiful area, this lodge is a must. I could easily spend a year there, exploring the beautiful area and relaxing in the impeccable accommodations. My stay....no words.

Definitely top-notch food quality, each of the items on our 4-course meal for £45 was delectable. Wines were a bit hit and miss. Service impeccable, especially the sommelier. Don't expect to feel sated, though, as the portions are fairly (? very) small. Go for the 6-course, maybe. Ask for tap water for the table, no need to spend money on bottled water. Ambience is good, not great. More casual than formal, which is a good thing... I think. Definitely worth visiting. You can get an extra dessert for £8 :)

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the 6-course tasting menu with wine pairing at the Forest Side Hotel restaurant, and it was an extraordinary culinary journey that left me in awe. From start to finish, every aspect of the dining experience surpassed my expectations, making it a truly unforgettable evening. The menu itself was a masterpiece of creativity and innovation. Each course was meticulously crafted, showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers. The presentation was impeccable, with every dish resembling a work of art that was almost too beautiful to eat. It was evident that the chefs poured their heart and soul into creating a symphony of flavors that delighted the senses. The progression of the courses was flawless, taking my taste buds on an adventure through various textures, tastes, and aromas. From delicate seafood creations to succulent meat dishes and vibrant vegetarian options, there was something to please every palate. The chef's ability to harmonize contrasting flavors and textures within each dish was truly remarkable. The wine pairings were carefully selected to complement and enhance the flavors of each course. The sommelier's expertise was evident as they introduced each wine with passion and knowledge, further elevating the overall dining experience. The thoughtfulness and precision that went into pairing each wine with its respective dish added an extra layer of sophistication and elegance to the evening. The service at Forest Side Hotel's restaurant was exceptional. The staff members were attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about their craft. Their warm and friendly demeanor created a welcoming atmosphere, making me feel like a valued guest throughout the entire evening. They took the time to explain each course and wine pairing, answering any questions with enthusiasm and professionalism. The ambiance of the restaurant was enchanting, with its elegant decor and breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. It provided a serene and intimate setting, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the culinary journey unfolding before me. Overall, my experience with the 6-course tasting menu with wine pairing at Forest Side Hotel's restaurant was nothing short of exceptional. It was a gastronomic adventure that tantalized my taste buds, ignited my senses, and left me with lasting memories. I would highly recommend this dining experience to anyone seeking a true culinary masterpiece accompanied by impeccable service in a beautiful setting. Forest Side Hotel's restaurant has undoubtedly earned its place among the finest dining establishments, and I eagerly look forward to returning for another extraordinary culinary experience.

We stayed for two nights and dined at the restaurant for dinner one evening. Initially, we made a reservation for a 4-course meal, but after just the first bite of the starter, we immediately decided to upgrade to the 8-course meal!! It turned out to be one of the best dining experiences of my life, alot better than other Michelin starred restaurants that I've tried. The flavors of each dish were exceptional, and we thoroughly enjoyed most of the dishes. I liked that many ingredients were sourced locally and/or from their garden. The wine pairing was impressive, and the sommelier demonstrated extensive knowledge and a genuine passion for the selection of beverages. Regarding the hotel, we found it to be impeccably managed and operated with a high level of professionalism. We booked the smallest room type available and it was smaller than anticipated, but it really was a cosy room nonetheless. Thank you for the memorable experience we had both at the hotel and the restaurant!

This is a really excellent hotel. Beautiful location and really nice rooms. We had a 3 day package with two tasting menus - my girlfriend has a lot of dietary requirements and often with tasting menus the restaurant doesn’t put much effort into the substitutes which leaves her disappointed. Not here - every single course was tailored for her and the hotel was in constant communication about what she needed. We really appreciated the effort put in and the 8 course menu was genuinely sublime. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone staying in the area.

Where to start with the Forest Side, what a place! We may be a bit biased having just had our wedding there but it really is one of the most amazing hotels in the Lake District. The staff were so friendly and helpful throughout both the planning of the event and the day itself. Having eaten at the Forest Side on a couple of occasions previously, we know the food is something special. So being able to plan our wedding menu with their team was a lot of fun and the food on the day was something else. A number of our guests commented that it was the best food they'd ever had! Plus, we also had a perfect wine pairing curated to go alongside the food which made it extra special. And all our guests commented about how lovely the rooms were. The day went so smoothly, the timings ran like clockwork, it couldn't have been a more perfect day. We can't thank the Forest Side enough!

I’ve just spent 2 nights here with my partner and dog, and here are my thoughts: Pros: - beautiful manor on gorgeous grounds, the overall atmosphere is pleasantly serene - walkable to Grasmere village - very close drive to Ambleside and its activities - we stayed in a Superb room, which was plenty spacious, stocked with tea & coffee, and had a nice bathroom with full tub - dog friendly rooms are all in the same wing with easy access to outside - every day we got a delicious little treat, from treacle tarts to fresh cookies and a much appreciated carafe of ice water - the food at the restaurant was wonderful, and the service was friendly and helpful. They also amended my partner’s tasting menu to accommodate his shellfish allergy. - breakfast was so, so good. It was hard to make decisions of what to order, there were too many tasty options. Don’t skip the breakfast. Cons: - room service breakfast and/or takeaway lunches had to be ordered the night before, so don’t forget if that’s what you want to do! - the bathroom was aesthetically pleasing but didn’t have intuitive design. Things like a toilet paper holder that constantly made it so paper would hang down and touch the floor and get wet because it’s directly under the sink, or a lack of towel racks or just any place to hang anything wet, or the shower with zero shelving so all your toiletries would go on the shower floor. - the mattress on the bed was desperate for a rotation and a couple of good slaps. Ours had a deep groove and a definite slope. - the sofa was also in desperate shape, with a slope so steep you couldn’t sit on it without sliding forwards. - we stayed on a particularly warm summer night, and had one very weak fan. We would have loved to leave the windows open wide but otherwise mosquitos and other buzzers would join us. - free wifi was a bit dodgy Of note to those coming with their dog: it’s true, it’s not the most dog-friendly place I’ve stayed at. The only main part of the hotel the dog was allowed in was the bar/lounge, and only at a specific time in the afternoon. We found it easy to order breakfast to our room (which was happily delivered without any issue, just had to be ordered the night before) and to be out exploring for most of the day. When we came back from a day out, our dog was exhausted and would go to sleep while we dined downstairs, or we made dinner plans elsewhere that were dog friendly. I wouldn’t recommend bringing your dog if you cannot trust them to behave in new surroundings by themselves, or if you can’t take them out for proper exercise during the day. While a dog bed, a towel and bowls were provided, we brought our own of everything so our dog would be comfy and could settle in more easily. Cons/niggles aside, I can’t fault anyone at the hotel. We left feeling happy and relaxed, and which is what I think matters the most.