The Forest Side is a beautifully restored slate and stone Gothic mansion set on 43 acres of revitalized grounds and gardens in an enviable lakeside Grasmere setting. At The Forest Side, guests can experience the luxurious lifestyle of its original Victorian owners alongside 21st-century comforts; from the unpretentious yet elegant country-chic interiors to the Michelin-starred Cumbrian restaurant, which has just recently placed the Lake District and gastronomy firmly on the map.

Property Details

Inside The Forest Side, guests will find the house completely transformed from its origins. Designer elements like velvet sofas and custom-made beds are woven together with a strong sense of heritage through its revealed Victorian fireplaces and authentic Lincrusta walls. Each of the 20 rooms is named after the many types of trees in the gardens and designed by visionary James Mackie to impart smooth textures and calm color palettes. Cozy Rooms are petite yet stylish, while Superb Rooms enjoy stunning Lake District views where the Herdwick sheep are constantly within sight in the meadow. Master Rooms are the most indulgent of the bunch and are perhaps most coveted for their indulgent bathrooms, separate sitting areas, and contemporary style.

The charms of the Lake District are never out of reach at The Forest Side. Even the flavors of the restaurant menu are extracted from the Cumbrian landscape. Chef Kevin Tickle of l’Enclume fame is famous for his foraging and has sourced 90% of his ingredients within 10 miles of the property, whether from the walled kitchen garden or the countryside beyond. The three-, six-, and ten-course dinner tasting menus are unforgettable, as is the carefully selected pairings of organic and bio-dynamic wines. Even Afternoon Tea is a sensational affair, featuring a classic yet elevated take on England’s time honored tradition with beautifully crafted pastries by Head Pastry Chef Cal Byerley.

Guests of The Forest Side could easily spend hours ambling through the 43 acres of grounds and gardens at their leisure. Uncover the vast range of wild, exotic, and cultivated edible, perfumed, and ornamental plants saturating the gardens, and go in search of the local spot roe deer and red squirrels in the trees nearby. If venturing further afield, guests will be pleased to find the rest of the Lake District’s main hubs within easy access. Your Ker & Downey guide can escort you to William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage, Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top, or the idyllic Bowness-on-Windermere.

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