Old Stamp House

Head to Ambleside’s Old Stamp House for regional cooking in a heritage space by one of Cumbria’s most promising chefs.

Head chef is local lad and former Coniston Mountain Rescuer Ryan Blackburn whose menu at the Old Stamp House is perfect for making an impression.

Blackburn is a confident cook; expect flawless creations where presentation feels natural. Start with dishes such as chalk stream trout or pheasant-filled tortellini, indulgently served with a truffle jus. Local meats could include Herdwick hogget from Yew Tree Farm and pheasant from Cartmel Valley, yet contemporary pairings abound. Cod loin with a roast chicken sauce, for example, or hogget with an anchovy and mint emulsion.

Wines are plucked from unusual corners of Europe. The simple, whitewashed space, with contemporary, unshowy furnishings was the former workplace of poet William Wordsworth who was based here ‘as distributor of stamps’ (hence the name) from 1813 until 1843.