GLOBETROTTER
Chef Simon Rogan lets us in on his Lake District secrets
one of Britain’s most decorated chefs, Simon Rogan built his name on food that celebrates perfectly grown and reared seasonal produce. His restaurants can be found across the world, but his spiritual heartland is Cumbria, where his signature restaurant L’enclume has been delighting diners since 2002. We picked his brains on the best of the Lake District, the jewel in Cumbria’s crown.
Describe a perfect Lakeland day. One of my favourite ways to spend the day is a visit to Coniston. We park up in the village, then walk to the lake for a quick bite at the Bluebird Cafe. After, we hire a private motorboat – lovely on a warm summer’s day – or take the launch for a cruise around the lake. We always end up back in one of the cosy village pubs before heading home.
We’ve got our hiking boots, where should we head? I like to walk to the top of Gummer’s How, one of the smaller hills on the eastern edge of Lake Windermere. The panoramic views are magnificent.
The places to go for classic Cumbrian fare? The Cartmel village shop is the centre of the sticky toffee pudding universe (cartmelvillageshop.co.uk). I often pop into Plumgarths Farm Shop, just north of Kendal – it’s a great place to sample goods from local farmers (plumgarths.co.uk).
Where can we try a taste of your ingredients-led cooking? The village of Cartmel is the hub for my Lake District restaurants. There you can find L’enclume,
Rogan & Co and Aulis. The majority of the plant-based produce used in the restaurants comes from our organic farm, Our Farm, which is only a mile down the road from Cartmel. If you fancy something a bit more relaxed, head to Rogan & Co. The breakfast there is second to none (roganandco.co.uk).
The hotel to book? Linthwaite House (leeucollection.com). The grounds have amazing views of Lake Windermere. The hotel even has its own tarn, where you can try your hand at rowing and fishing. We opened a restaurant there last year, Henrock, which although ingredients-led, takes influence from cuisines around the world.
Culture vultures should flock to? Beatrix Potter’s love of rural life was the inspiration for many of her stories. You can visit her 17th-century house, Hill Top, near Hawkshead, which is pretty much exactly as she left it (nationaltrust.org.uk/hill-top).
Picturesque spot for a moment of peace? Wastwater, looking up towards Scafell Pike. The mountains seem to soar out of the dark blue, crystal lake, creating a spectacular landscape. It’s a dramatic, sometimes desolate place whose natural beauty is kept intact by its remoteness .
Don’t leave without visiting? Holker Hall. This grand 16th-century building is home to the Cavendish family and can be found near Morecambe Bay. Make sure to visit both the hall and the gardens, then finish it all off with a cream tea in the courtyard (holker.co.uk).