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It’ll come as no surprise that London is, by far, the most Michelin-star decorated part in the UK by far. There are 88 restaurants across the city that have at least one of the coveted stars. But it’s by no means the only part of the country dishing out culinary excellence, and you certainly shouldn’t stick to cities if you want the best food the nation has to offer.
In fact, outside of the capital city, the region with the most Michelin stars is the rural county of Cumbria. That’s despite having no new additions in this year’s Michelin Guide. It has a total of 15 stars spread across 13 restaurants.
The most decorated of them all is L’Enclume. Founded by chef Simon Rogan, it earned its first star in 2005, its second in 2013 and its third in 2022. Set within an old smithy in Cartmel it’s one of just 10 places with the highest Michelin distinction you can get (and one of just two outside of London).
The rest of the region’s starred establishments all own one Michelin star. They include Pentonbrige Inn in Penton, The Cottage in the Wood in Braithewaite and the Dog and Gunn Inn in Skelton. The most recent additions to Cumbria’s Michelin star club are Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai at Farlam Hall Hotel in Brampton and Lake Road Kitchen, which both earned their distinctions in 2024.
Why so many stars in Cumbria, though? Well, we investigated just that back in 2023 and found that much of it comes down to the quality of produce in the region. There’s the lamb from the Cartmel Peninsula salt marshes, the shrimp from Morecambe Bay, the rapeseed oil from Eden Yard and forests full of wild mushrooms, wood sorrel, wild sage, water mint, hawthorn berries, rosehip and elderflower
Simon Rogan told us: ‘Chefs have always been interested in the Lake District. The incredible produce that’s available on our doorstep is directly reflected in the quality of restaurants in the area. I have no doubt the amazing Lake District larder plays a part in the number of Michelin stars being awarded. Cumbrian ingredients inspire chefs, and the chefs inspire the producers too.’
Paul Leonard, head chef at one-Michelin-starred The Forest Side in Grasmere added: ‘I honestly believe we have the best produce and suppliers in the world.’
Every Michelin-starred restaurant in Cumbria
Three Michelin Stars
-
L’Enclume, Cartmel
One Michelin Star
- Allium at Askham Hall, Askham (near Penrith)
- Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai, Brampton
- Cottage in the Wood, Braithwaite
- Old Stamp House, Ambleside
- SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel, Windermere / Bowness-on-Windermere
- The Dog & Gun Inn, Skelton
- The Forest Side, Grasmere
- The Samling, Ambleside
- Lake Road Kitchen, Ambleside
- HEFT, Newton-in-Cartmel
- Rogan & Co, Cartmel
- Pentonbridge Inn, Penton
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