My dream holiday would be somewhere where I can eat good food, hike or run in pretty places and cook food with amazing produce.

No offence, but I did not really think that I would find such a place in the midst of winter in England, but I did! Tucked away in the Lake District, the tiny village of Cartmel really is a must for any foodie.

I knew it was home of the three Michelin-starred L’Enclume but I what I did not know is that its home of the worlds best sticky toffee pudding, boasts another Michelin restaurant next door as well as a world class independent cheese shop and micro brewery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to stay

We stayed in a cosy little Airbnb a few minutes drive or walk (across fields) to Cartmel. The cottage sleeps 2 and the kitchen was well equipped.

The BEST Sticky toffee

First stop was the famous Cartmel Village Shop for their sticky toffee pudding. I’ve eaten my fair share over the years, but this? Hands down the best. Rich, sticky and the perfect balance—not too sweet but indulgent enough.  Bliss!

What’s a village without a good pub?

Dinner the night we arrived was at The Kings Arms, a proper village pub with a great atmosphere. I started with a veggie soup—simple, warming, delicious. And, of course, we couldn’t skip the Cumbrian sausage rolls. They’re a local specialty, and these were exceptional: flaky, rich, and full of flavour.

How many Michelin stars can you fit into one village?

The next day, we had lunch at Rogan & Co, the Michelin-starred  restaurant by Simon Rogan. Wow!

The scallops with pike roe were the best I’ve ever had—delicate and perfectly cooked.  And while I don’t usually expect a dessert to be the standout, their take on a classic apple cake with custard stole the show.

Walk it off – hikers paradise

Every morning, we started the day with a long hike along the lakes. The scenery in the National Park felt untouched for hundreds of years—moss-covered stone walls, animals grazing in the fields, tiny streams winding through the landscape. Peaceful, rugged, and absolutely breathtaking.

If you LOVE CHEESE

A hidden gem we stumbled upon was the small artisan Cartmel Cheese Shop, a haven for cheese lovers. Stocked with an incredible selection of local and artisan cheeses, the shop is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates good dairy. We picked up a few wedges to make the cheeseboard of my dreams, including some of my favourites:

Elrick Log: A raw goat’s milk cheese from Lanarkshire, Scotland, crafted by Selina Errington. The texture is smooth and creamy with a fudgy center. (Errington Cheese)

Cote Hill Blue: An award-winning blue cheese made by Michael and Mary Davenport, along with their sons Joe and Ross, at Cote Hill Farm in Osgodby, Lincolnshire. This smooth, creamy blue-veined cheese offers a delicate yet intricate flavour. (Cote Hill Farm)

Look out for my Leek & Blue Cheese Tart that I made with the Cote Hill Blue (coming soon).

Bucket List: L’Enclume

But the real reason for the trip? L’Enclume. Three Michelin stars, a bucket-list restaurant, and one of the best meals of my life. The setting is relaxed and pared-down—no unnecessary fuss, just a real focus on the food – eleven courses of pure magic.

As a chef, I eat and cook great food daily, I can find fine-dining often overly fussy with too many flavours competing with unnecessary ingredients added to the plate. But at L’Enclume each plate felt effortless. Balanced, thoughtful, and an absolute joy to eat. In short – pure perfection.

I got the chance to step into the kitchen, meet the head chef and watch the chefs in action in a three star Michelin kitchen. It was incredible to see how much care and precision went into every dish. The kitchen is small and extremely calm, with 18 chefs working in perfect harmony per service of around 50 covers. The entire experience—from the food to the atmosphere to the staff—was nothing short of extraordinary.

Cartmel, you were something special!

3 Day Itinerary

Day 1 – travel from London Euston to Manchester (Avanti Trains with one change). We hired a car from Manchester Airport and drove 1 1/2 hours to Cartmel. In the afternoon we had THE sticky toffee pudding at the Village shop and dinner in the Kings Arms pub.

Day 2 – two hour hike, parked at Lake Windermere (Southern End by the ferry). Lunch was at Rogan & Co and after lunch we bought cheese afterwards and the evening I made a quick organic broccoli soup with produce from the Cartmel Village Shop.

Day 3 – another two hour hike this time along the Lake Coniston. Chilled in the day and had dinner at L’Enclume early evening.

Day 4 – travelled back to London