Back to The Lake District

The Forest Side

From $310/night • Score: 4.9★ (1640 reviews)

Exterior 1Exterior 2Interior 1Interior 2Surroundings

First Impressions & Architecture

Approaching The Forest Side feels less like arriving at a conventional hotel and more like stumbling upon a secret barony hidden deep within the Cumbrian fells. Situated on the fringes of Grasmere—the literary heart of the Lake District—this mid-19th-century Gothic mansion emerges dramatically from a dense canopy of ancient woodland. Built from robust, locally quarried green Lakeland slate, the structure boasts an imposing yet romantic silhouette that instantly commands reverence. Sharp gables, towering stone chimneys, and intricate arched windows speak to a Victorian penchant for grandeur, yet the building is softened entirely by its environment. Nestled intimately against the dramatic backdrop of rising fells, the mansion is enveloped by 43 acres of untamed, moss-carpeted woods where rare red squirrels dart freely through the pine branches and fern beds.

Stepping across the threshold is an exercise in immediate decompression. The high-ceilinged entrance hall bridges the gap between historical gravitas and contemporary British luxury. Rather than leaning into the dusty, antiquated tropes common among historic Cumbrian properties, The Forest Side adopts a curated, design-forward vernacular. Original architectural details—such as stone-mullioned windows and soaring ceiling beams—are juxtaposed with sculptural modern lighting, warming ambient fireplaces, and organic textures that pay quiet homage to the surrounding landscape. The air carries a subtle, comforting scent of cedarwood, damp earth, and bespoke botanical room fragrances, setting a tranquil tone for the stay. Porters and front-desk hosts greet guests not with stiff formality, but with the warm, intuitive hospitality characteristic of the region, offering a restorative welcome drink infused with local botanicals.

The transition from the wild exterior to the meticulously styled interior sets a high stylistic bar. Every corridor feels like a gallery of tactile delights, pairing dark heritage paint palettes with rich velvet upholstery and artisanal ceramics. It is a masterclass in modern Lakeland luxury—retaining the brooding, romantic soul of the Victorian era while providing all the polished comforts expected by the discerning global traveler. From the moment the heavy oak front door closes behind you, the frantic pace of the modern world dissolves, replaced by the hushed, whispering majesty of Grasmere Woods.

The Room Experience

Upstairs, the guest chambers continue the narrative of refined, nature-inspired seclusion. Our accommodation—a spacious category overlooking the property’s verdant acreage—demonstrates an extraordinary level of interior curation. The design philosophy here avoids cookie-cutter corporate luxury entirely, favoring bespoke craftsmanship that honors its Cumbrian roots. Reclaimed timber features prominently, utilized in custom-built headboards and structural accents that bring an authentic warmth to the room. The color palette draws direct inspiration from the outside environment: deep moss greens, slate greys, bracken golds, and muted heather tones.

Textiles play a pivotal role in creating the room's cocoon-like ambiance. Sumptuous natural Cumbrian wool throws drape lazily over beds dressed in crisp, high-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens, inviting guests to sink in after a long day traversing the fells. Walls are adorned with exquisite Zoffany wallpapers featuring botanical motifs that subtly blur the line between interior and exterior. Thoughtful touches are everywhere: hand-turned wooden coffee mugs, locally published poetry books, curated teas sourced from artisan blenders, and panoramic windows framing uninterrupted views of ancient woodland and towering crags.

The bathroom is a sanctuary unto itself, designed with tactile stone-tiled flooring and walls that radiate understated elegance. The undisputed centerpiece is a deep, freestanding roll-top soaking tub positioned strategically to allow for contemplative gazes through frosted glass toward the tree line. Complemented by a high-pressure rainfall shower, the bathing experience is further elevated by a generous collection of full-sized, locally crafted organic bath products infused with wild herbs and forest pine. Heated floors, plush bathrobes, and oversized Turkish towels ensure that stepping out of the bath is just as luxurious as stepping into it. Every square foot of the room has been meticulously optimized for comfort, resulting in a private retreat that feels deeply personal, incredibly cozy, and unabashedly high-end.

Signature Amenities & Atmosphere

The true magic of The Forest Side lies in its symbiotic relationship with its 43-acre natural estate. Unlike sprawling resort hotels with manicured lawns and homogenous leisure facilities, the grounds here are an organic extension of the Lake District’s wild heart. Meandering walking trails weave directly from the back terrace into the ancient woodland. Guests are encouraged to pull on a pair of Hunter wellingtons—conveniently provided in a range of sizes at the boot room—and spend hours exploring the mossy knolls, listening to birdsong, and quietly spotting the resident red squirrels darting between the larch and oak trees.

At the center of the estate’s culinary identity is the one-acre Victorian walled kitchen garden. This historic, sun-trap plot is a living, breathing pantry that supplies the estate's kitchen with an astonishing array of heirloom vegetables, edible flowers, soft fruits, and heritage herbs. Wandering through the garden offers a sensory preview of dinner: the scent of crushed mint, the vibrant violet of borage flowers, and the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil. For those seeking indoor repose, the hotel’s communal lounges provide crackling wood-burning stoves, deep leather armchairs, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stocked with regional histories, art monographs, and classic literature.

The atmosphere throughout the property is one of hushed, restorative luxury. There are no frantic crowds or hurried check-ins here; the pace is dictated by the gentle rustle of the wind through Grasmere Woods. Service is impeccably intuitive—staff seem to anticipate needs before they are voiced, ensuring glasses are topped, fires are tended, and itineraries are tailored with effortless grace. It is an environment designed for total mental reset, where modern stresses are methodically unwound by nature and peerless hospitality.

Food, Drink & Local Nightlife

Culinary ambition is the beating heart of The Forest Side, anchored by its celebrated Michelin-starred restaurant. Led by Executive Chef Paul Leonard, the dining room delivers a masterclass in contemporary British gastronomy that feels intrinsically tied to the Cumbrian landscape. The experience is strictly tasting-menu-only, designed as a multi-act culinary narrative that changes daily based on what the morning brings from the one-acre walled garden, local foragers, and trusted regional artisans.

Dinner is a theatrical yet grounded journey. A dish might feature freshly harvested sea trout paired with pickled sea succulents and elderflower; another showcases tender local venison accompanied by charred roots, forest mushrooms, and a rich pine-needle jus. Every plate is a visual and aromatic triumph, balancing intense, hyper-local flavors with technical precision. The philosophy here is uncompromisingly sustainable: if it isn't grown on the estate, foraged from the surrounding fells, or sourced within a remarkably tight radius, it generally doesn't make the cut. The wine pairing, curated by an exceptionally knowledgeable head sommelier, leans heavily toward low-intervention, biodynamic vineyards from across Europe, alongside imaginative non-alcoholic pairings crafted from fermented garden botanicals and house-made shrubs.

Breakfast the following morning maintains this remarkably high standard, featuring freshly baked sourdough, artisanal pastries, homemade jams, and a cooked breakfast highlighting Cumbrian black pudding and farm-fresh eggs. While the hotel’s culinary gravity keeps most guests firmly rooted on the estate for the evening, Grasmere village is just a short, picturesque stroll away. For those seeking traditional local nightlife, the village offers historic, slate-clad Cumbrian pubs pouring local cask ales by crackling fireplaces, though most travelers find themselves entirely content lingering over a final digestif in the hotel’s plush bar lounge.

Who This Stay Is For

Practical Travel Notes