Forest Side

Deep within Cumbria’s storied landscape, Forest Side invites diners into an experience that is at once immersive and uncommonly focused. Here, Chef Paul Leonard crafts a distinctive vision of modern British dining, grounded in a deep reverence for the local terrain. The menu’s foundation is unmistakably regional—the bounty of Cumbria’s fields, woodlands, and waters is interpreted with a quietly assured creativity that avoids both fuss and cliché. This is not a setting for theatrical flourishes, but for a kind of culinary storytelling where tradition and innovation are held in equal regard. Well-earned recognition from Michelin marks the acuity and precision that defines each plate. Ingredients—whether they are wild herbs foraged from nearby fells, verdant seasonal vegetables, or mushrooms with the scent of the earth still clinging—are transformed with a restraint that lets their inherent character take center stage. What sets Forest Side apart is not radical technique but rather a refined simplicity; techniques are deployed with a light hand, amplifying individual flavours and showcasing purity over artifice. Chef Leonard’s approach is notably thoughtful, eschewing reinvention for its own sake in favour of illuminating the spirit of place. Every element feels carefully considered, from the balance of texture to the subtle interplay of the region’s natural aromas and colours. Each course allows the landscape to speak: murmurs of moss and bracken, a faint echo of Lake District rain in garden-fresh leaves, a gentle earthiness that lingers. Presentation is understated, drawing the eye to the natural beauty of the ingredients rather than ornate constructions. The dining room, housed within a country house at the edge of Grasmere, offers an ambiance that harmonizes with the food—elegant yet deeply connected to its surroundings. There is a palpable sense of serenity, as if the outside world has retreated to allow guests a rare kind of attention to the moment. At Forest Side, the narrative of modern British cooking unfolds with clarity and honesty, bringing forth the landscape’s quiet poetry and establishing a sense of place that lingers long after the final course.