This elegant stalwart of the Lakeland hotel & restaurant scene offers stunning views over Windermere to Langdale Pikes, as well as food that is defined by a slick mingling of textures & flavours. Dinner could bring grilled mackerel with saffron-pickled vegetables or twice-baked Lancashire cheese soufflé with sweet tomato fondue, followed by mains of Holker Hall venison served with braised shin, creamed cabbage, butternut squash purée & chestnut jus or pan-fried sea bass with crushed new potatoes, fennel purée & asparagus ginger foam. Desserts tend to be country house evergreens such as sticky toffee pudding. A light lunch menu offers good choice, but always includes something traditional such as Caesar salad or cod