1863 Restaurant with Rooms

The story

1863 Restaurant with Rooms, Pooley Bridge | AA 3 Rosette Dining

Forge and continuity

1863 Restaurant with Rooms in Pooley Bridge delivers refined modern British cuisine inside a former blacksmith’s forge that once served the Cumbrian community. The kitchen operates with the same precision and utility that originally shaped the building. This dedication to seasonal sourcing and technical rigor earned a 3 Rosette award from the AA in 2026. The menu respects established traditions while allowing precise techniques to clarify every flavor.

The kitchen and the chef

Head chef Phil Corrie directs the brigade with a straightforward focus on locally sourced ingredients and frequent foraging trips. Dishes change daily to align with the Ullswater valley harvest rather than following rigid seasonal calendars. Guests can choose between three, five, or seven course formats that prioritize clear taste over heavy presentation. This adaptable approach to British cooking keeps regular diners returning year after year.

Rooms and setting

Eight en-suite bedrooms sit quietly above the dining area to offer rest after long lunches or dinners. The interiors blend understated comfort with the original structural bones of the historic property. Guests step outside to reach the shores of Ullswater within minutes. The village location anchors the experience in the wider Lake District landscape.