Set above the village of Grasmere in the Lake District, Forest Side Hotel blends a Victorian Gothic mansion with a Michelin-starred restaurant headed by chef Paul Leonard. This review draws on verified guidebook ratings, guest feedback, and editorial coverage to help you decide whether this 4-star property matches your expectations for a luxury food-focused escape.

Last checked: 2026-06-07

Location: Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England · Property type: Victorian Gothic mansion · Accolades: Michelin Star, 5 AA Rosettes · Grounds: 43 acres of woodland and gardens · Dining: Michelin-starred restaurant with 5 AA Rosettes · Official site: www.theforestside.com

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-06-07.

Sources reviewed: official property website, MICHELIN Guide, AA Restaurant Guide, Booking.com reviews, TripAdvisor reviews, Fine Dining Guide, A Luxury Travel Blog, TripReporter, Northern Soul, Eating The North.

No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price verification were carried out; pricing and condition data reflect published editorial and guest sources as of the dates cited.

Forest Side Hotel at a glance

1 Michelin-starred dining
  • Awarded one MICHELIN Star under chef Paul Leonard, making it one of the few Lake District hotels with this accolade (MICHELIN Guide).
2 5 AA Rosettes
  • The restaurant holds 5 AA Rosettes, reflecting a top-tier culinary standard in the UK (Northern Soul).
3 43 acres of private grounds
  • Set in 43 acres of woodland and gardens, providing a secluded countryside setting on the fringe of Grasmere village (MICHELIN Guide).
4 4-star hotel
  • Rated a 4-star hotel, with 20 rooms that blend crisp modern style with the original Victorian character (MICHELIN Guide).
Key facts about Forest Side Hotel
AttributeDetail
LocationGrasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Property typeVictorian Gothic mansion
AccoladesMichelin Star, 5 AA Rosettes
Grounds43 acres of woodland and gardens
DiningMichelin-starred restaurant with 5 AA Rosettes
Official sitewww.theforestside.com

What is Forest Side Grasmere known for?

Forest Side Hotel, originally built as a mid-19th-century hunting retreat for the Earl of Lonsdale, reopened in February 2016 under hotelier Andrew Wildsmith, who already operated two other Lake District properties at the time (Fine Dining Guide). The grey Lakeland stone mansion sits above Grasmere village, set back from the road on a wooded slope. Within two months of opening, it won Best Newcomer at the Cumbria Life Food and Drink Awards.

The hotel is known primarily for its restaurant, which holds both one MICHELIN Star and five AA Rosettes under chef Paul Leonard. The MICHELIN Guide describes the property as having 20 rooms that blend crisp modernity with the house’s antique character and awards it one MICHELIN Key (a separate hospitality rating). The hotel’s own site frames the experience as “understated, emotional luxury” in a Gothic mansion shaped by Victorian craftsmanship.

What this means for guests: Forest Side is a food-first destination hotel. The Michelin star and AA Rosettes translate into a restaurant that drives booking decisions; the accommodation is designed to complement, not overshadow, the culinary experience.

Which Lake District hotel has a Michelin star restaurant?

Forest Side Hotel is one of a small group of Lake District properties that holds a Michelin star for its restaurant. Another is Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, which also holds a star at its HRiSHi restaurant. A 2022 report from TripReporter named Forest Side as Best Country Hotel of that year, reflecting recognition beyond just the kitchen.

The distinction matters for travellers choosing between traditional country-house hotels and food-led stays. At Forest Side, the restaurant is the centrepiece: guests book dinner, bed and breakfast packages, which accounted for the majority of published review stays. By contrast, some Lake District competitors offer fine dining as an optional upgrade.

“Aptly named, this four-star hotel and acclaimed restaurant in the Lake District sits in the lee of a steep slope of trees.”

— Northern Soul reviewer
Michelin-starred properties in the Lake District compared
HotelLocationStar RatingMichelin StarNotable Feature
The Forest SideGrasmere4-starYes5 AA Rosettes, 43-acre woodland estate
Gilpin Hotel & Lake HouseWindermere5-starYes (HRiSHi)Spas, lake views, multiple dining options
Bridge House Hotel GrasmereGrasmere4-starNoVillage centre location, garden view rooms
The Inn at GrasmereGrasmere3-starNoBudget-friendly bar and restaurant

How much is the Forest Side menu?

Pricing for dining at Forest Side follows patterns typical of Michelin-starred restaurants in the Lake District. A 2023 review on A Luxury Travel Blog noted that packages for an 8-course dinner, bed and breakfast started from approximately £519. TripReporter separately cited four-course and eight-course dinner, bed and breakfast packages from about £479 and £579 respectively, with optional wine flights at £75 for four courses and £125 for eight.

A 2022 review on Eating The North reported dinner, bed and breakfast packages starting around £349, suggesting that pricing rose between 2022 and 2023. Exact current menu prices are not published on the official site in a static format, and seasonal variation is likely.

What to watch: Package pricing can shift significantly by season and weekday. Mid-week stays may offer lower rates than weekend bookings. Wine pairings add roughly £75–£125 per person to the total cost.

Is there much to do in Grasmere?

Grasmere is a compact lake village that serves as a base for walking, literary tourism, and dining. The village itself is famously associated with the poet William Wordsworth, who lived at Dove Cottage and is buried in the churchyard of St Oswald’s. Lake Grasmere and Rydal Water are both within walking distance, offering lakeside paths and moderate fell walks.

Exploring Grasmere and Rydal

Dove Cottage, the Wordsworth Museum, and the surrounding Rydal area are a short drive or a footpath walk from Forest Side. The village also has a handful of craft shops, tea rooms, and the Grasmere Gingerbread shop, which has been baking the spiced biscuit since the 19th century. Several independent reviews emphasise the proximity of Forest Side to these literary and cultural sites, enhancing its appeal for culture-oriented visitors (A Luxury Travel Blog).

Hiking and outdoor activities

Forest Side is set on the first rise of a hill below Alcock Tarn, and the hotel’s own 43 acres of woodland provide direct access to trails toward Helm Crag and the Langdale Pikes. Reviewers on Booking.com and TripAdvisor frequently note that the property’s location works well for walkers, who appreciate being able to return to a Michelin-starred restaurant after a day on the fells.

“Set back from the road and built on the first rise of a hill below Alcock Tarn, it detaches itself from the bustle of Grasmere, and offers a truly luxurious haven for the traveller.”

— Ruth Davies, Fine Dining Guide

Pros and cons of staying at Forest Side Hotel

Pros

  • Michelin-starred restaurant with 5 AA Rosettes — the kitchen is the standout feature.
  • 43-acre woodland setting provides genuine seclusion while being a short walk from Grasmere village.
  • Guest reviews consistently praise the bathrooms: deep baths, push-button showers, high-quality toiletries (Fine Dining Guide).
  • Service is described as attentive but relaxed, balancing formal dining expectations with a comfortable atmosphere (TripAdvisor).

Cons

  • Dinner, bed and breakfast pricing ranges from roughly £349 to £579 per night depending on season and package — not a budget option.
  • Room sizes vary; reviews on Booking.com mention that standard rooms can feel compact compared with suites.
  • No lift or step-free access is documented in the sources reviewed, which could be a limitation for guests with mobility concerns.
  • The focus on gastronomy means hotel amenities (spa, pool, extensive leisure facilities) are not provided on site.

Best for which type of traveller?

  • Gastronomy enthusiasts: Travellers who prioritise Michelin-starred dining and want to avoid leaving the property for dinner will find the package model convenient. The wine programme, with flights up to £125, adds depth for oenophiles.
  • Luxury seekers: The combination of Victorian architecture, modern interiors, and personalised service positions Forest Side among the top tier of Lake District country-house hotels.
  • Couples: The romantic setting and secluded grounds make it a natural choice for anniversaries or weekends away. Multiple reviews describe the property as ideal for food-focused breaks for two.
  • Outdoor enthusiasts: Walkers and hikers benefit from direct trail access from the grounds and a relaxed dress code in the restaurant after a day on the fells.

Pricing and value

Forested Side operates on a room-from-£nightly basis with optional dinner packages. Based on the most recent published editorial data (2023), an 8-course dinner, bed and breakfast night starts from roughly £519 per room per night (A Luxury Travel Blog). TripReporter cites a four-course dinner, bed and breakfast package from around £479 and an eight-course version from £579. A 2022 review on Eating The North listed packages from approximately £349, indicating upward movement.

All prices are in pounds sterling. No off-peak, mid-week, or last-minute rates are confirmed in the sources reviewed.

Location and how to get there

Forest Side Hotel is at Forest Side, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9QQ, England. Grasmere lies in the central Lake District, roughly 15 miles north-west of Kendal and 20 miles south-west of Penrith.

  • By car: The village is accessible via the A591, which connects Windermere to Keswick. On-site parking is available.
  • By train: Windermere station is the nearest rail connection, about 7 miles south. Trains from Oxenholme (on the West Coast Main Line) run to Windermere. A taxi from Windermere to Grasmere takes roughly 15–20 minutes.
  • By bus: Stagecoach bus 555/556 runs from Lancaster to Keswick via Windermere and Grasmere, stopping in the village centre.

Alternatives to Forest Side Hotel

For travellers who want a similar level of luxury or a lower price point, the following properties in the Grasmere area offer different trade-offs:

  • Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Windermere — A 5-star property with its own Michelin-starred restaurant (HRiSHi), plus a spa, hot tubs, and lake views. Higher price point but more extensive leisure facilities.
  • Bridge House Hotel Grasmere — A 4-star hotel in the village centre with no Michelin star. Offers garden-view rooms at lower rates, suitable for budget-conscious walkers.
  • The Inn at Grasmere — A 3-star pub-with-rooms that is wallet-friendly and centrally located. No fine dining, but a lively bar and direct access to village shops and trailheads.
The trade-off: Forest Side offers the highest culinary rating among Grasmere hotels but fewer leisure amenities than Gilpin. For food-first travellers, Forest Side is the stronger pick; for a full spa-and-dining resort experience, Gilpin is worth considering.

Our pick: foodies, luxury travellers, romantic couples, nature lovers

Forest Side Hotel earns our recommendation for travellers who want a Lake District stay where dinner is the main event. The Michelin star and five AA Rosettes are backed by consistent praise for chef Paul Leonard’s cooking across independent editorial reviews and guest feedback. The 43-acre woodland setting provides a quiet base for hiking and literary tourism, and the attentive but relaxed service noted on TripAdvisor and the official site reduces the formality sometimes associated with Michelin-starred properties.

For those who want a spa, swimming pool, or a wider range of room categories, Gilpin Hotel & Lake House may suit better. For walkers who prefer to spend on the fells rather than on dinner, Bridge House Hotel or The Inn at Grasmere offer lower rates in the village.

For another Lake District retreat with Michelin-starred dining, consider the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House on its own 21-acre estate near Windermere.

Frequently asked questions

Does Forest Side Hotel have a Michelin star?

Yes, the restaurant at Forest Side has been awarded one MICHELIN Star, a status confirmed by the MICHELIN Guide as of the latest published update.

What AA Rosettes does Forest Side hold?

It holds 5 AA Rosettes, as reported by Northern Soul and consistent with the hotel’s industry profile.

How many acres of woodland surround Forest Side?

The property sits in 43 acres of woodland and gardens, according to the MICHELIN Guide.

Is Forest Side a 4-star hotel?

Yes, it is rated as a 4-star hotel. The restaurant holds higher accolades than the accommodation tier.

Where is Forest Side Hotel located?

In Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England. The postal address is Forest Side, Grasmere LA22 9QQ.

Are celebrities known to stay at Forest Side?

Multiple editorial sources, including TripReporter, cite Forest Side as a celebrity hotspot in the Lake District, though individual names are not disclosed in the available reviews.

Sources