Review on The Old Stamp House
Once occupied by William Wordsworth when he held the position of Distributor of Stamps for Westmoreland from 1813-1843, it is now home to a multi-award winning restaurant called The Old Stamp House. The historic building is set just off the main street in the heart of the delightful tourist town of Ambleside in the Lake District. Owned by the Blackburn brothers, it is Ryan who mans the stoves having previously sharpened his knives in acclaimed establishments such as Michelin-starred Holbeck Ghyll and Restaurant Martin Wishart and more recently as head chef at the Cottage in the Wood at Whinlatter Forest in Braithwaite. It has a cosy, rustic setting with exposed breams, simple wooden tables set on slate flooring and whitewashed walls adorned with local landscapes.
Ryan is keen to promote local produce and works closely with trusted suppliers for a menu that reflects the very best of seasonal offerings. Open your account with Cartmel Valley partridge, confit leg and barley risotto, Brussel sprouts and burnt pear or from the sea there's West Coast scallop, cauliflower cream, brown shrimps, marsh samphire and a spiced mead veloute. Inventive mains follow in the shape of roasted cod, Jerusalem artichoke, chestnut, roasted chicken jus and Cumbrian ham or Holker fallow deer, black olive crust, goat's cheese gnocchi, pumpkin and winter chanterelles. To close the show there's parsnip cake, honey roasted fig, caramelized almond and Jefferson's rum ice cream or chocolate delice, milk sorbet, salted caramel and Pedro Ximenez.
There's an extensive wine list to complement the food and service is charmingly run ensuring a pleasant buzz to proceedings. The restaurant was the proud recipient of a prestigious Michelin star in the 2020 edition of the Guide.
The Old Stamp House is also featured in: Michelin Guide, AA Guide
Rate this RestaurantCuisine
Modern British
Chef
Ryan Blackburn
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.30 - 2.00pm Wed-Sat
Dinner: 6.00 - 9.00pm Tue-Sat
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card
