I was recommended Crosby Lodge by a business associate who had stayed quite a few times while in Cumbria on business as the propose of my trip was I have a new friend living in Brampton and the hotel was the perfect location only a few miles way.

When I turned onto the drive at the front of Crosby Lodge I could not hold back my smile, something quite unique and boutique, my own castle for the weekend idyllically situated in its own grounds. As I walked into Crosby I was greeted by a charming young lady who guided me to my room and there lay my second surprise! A Georgian bed which looked so inviting with its opulent mahogany frame, I could not wait to get into and it was only 3pm!

I unpacked went back downstairs into one of the sitting rooms and was greeted by another lady who asked if I had found everything ok with my room, it was richly furnished and just to my liking but I had one simple question “I could not find any tea making facilities” the lady confirmed one of the long standing traditions at Crosby Lodge was that you always had your tea served fresh in the mornings, after all she said “I do not want my guests having to tackle those tricky little processed milk pots which represented everything Crosby Lodge wasn’t”. What a nice touch.

Totally relax and feeling great I went out for the day with my friend but booked a table for two for dinner before leaving.

When I returned I could not make my mind up, did I want a shower or a gin and tonic first, well the gin won served in a beautiful crystal glass and taken to my room so I could get ready. My friend arrived at about 7.30pm and by this time was sitting in the bar where the table service was good, on hand and observant just what you would expect.

The restaurant was dark red and not my favourite room but the tables were beautifully set and we chatted enthusiastically as we waited for our meal. My friend informed me Crosby’s kitchen always made their own bread and pasta on a daily bases so that had aided my choice which was to start Crab & Linguine followed by Lamb Trio for my main course. Both complemented by an excellent 2007 Pouilly-Fuise, vive la France, at a bargain £29. The evening was most enjoyable and we ended up back in the main bar reception room with shoes off and feet up drinking coffee accompanied by the smoothest Armagnac ever.

In the morning I awoke after a wonderful night sleep, I have been married for some year and without my husband I always find it difficult to sleep, but not last night. The perfectly pressed bed sheets, blankets and bedspread made for the best night’s sleep in a long time. The shower and bath towels just added to my luxurious weekend and I still had breakfast to encounter which did not let me down. Freshly squeezed orange juice and well cooked poached eggs on toast was a very pleasant end to my weekend.

I could not recommend Crosby Lodge highly enough and the best £90 for bed and breakfast I have spent in a long time.

This review is just concerned with the restaurant and food not the accommodation in the hotel.

My wife and I decided to have dinner here whilst on a short break in Cumbria, this was based on the 2011 Michelin Guides iPhone Ap. Not too sure how long ago an inspector visited but it must be worth him having another look to up-date the opinion.

A beautiful old house that has been a hotel for forty years, or so they say and it looks as though it has hardly changed in all of them. One has to recognise that an ultra modern look would be totally out of keeping with the character of the house but a good de-clutter and general brightening up would do wonders for the place. The atmosphere is as dark as the decor and one constantly expected an Edwardian gentleman to appear having just dressed for dinner.

The reception was deserted on arrival but one clang on a large ships style bell did produce a response and a friendly one at that. The bar area is perhaps the brightest of the areas we saw and the bar itself was impressive with its brass sheeted front no doubt hell to keep clean.

The menu looked fine and covered most basic centre plates and the wine list very extensive, so extensive it got rather boring before one reached the end.

We settled on a dozen snails and duck two ways to start followed by butterflied salmon with Dublin bay prawn (AKA Langoustine) and pork three ways as the mains and one of us managed a dessert from the trolley of baked cheese cake with poached orange in white wine. The order was taken by the owner, a grand lady of advancing years and aloof attitude.

I defy anyone to mess up heating snails from frozen, they were excellent and from UK grown snails so fresh (well, frozen) rather than the chewy rubber bands one gets from a can. The duck was breast and a half a duck egg, was it smoked? It looked like it could have been. The breast was over cooked and tough and all in all a strange dish.

The salmon was perfectly cooked but the Dublin bay prawn looked rather like an ordinary one, the pork was a bit of a curates egg, good in parts. The loin was perfect, well cooked and moist, the rolled belly was good but the third piece, it looked a bit like a thin slice off a chop, was well over cooked and tough and chewy. The selection of vegetables stated on the menu turned out to be two pieces of pretty dried up duchess potato and a few well under cooked carrot pieces, darkened on the outside, something to do with port but not too sure what or what the purpose was, they were not very palatable. More vegetables were available but at extra cost, quite a large extra cost considering the cost of the mains. Now to the cheesecake, from the rather old fashioned but quite extensive trolley. There is an old saying, there is nothing like a nice cheesecake and this was nothing like a nice cheesecake! It was solid, hard, dry, crumbly and cloying, it stuck to the inside of the mouth, clung to the teeth like a limpet and coated the throat like a damp flannel, mark you the oranges made up for it, they were delicious.

Would we return for a second look, umm not a chance, there are far better and more appealing alternatives in the area, with much better value for money.

We chose Crosby Lodge as a base for visiting parts of Hadrian's Wall and I am so glad that we did. The hotel was charming and the owners and staff couldn't have been more helpful. It was a delight to stay there.

The hotel is an old country house with well kept grounds and lovely views over the surrounding countryside.

When we booked our room, we initially thought it was a little pricey, but it turned out to be well worth it, as it included one of the best cooked breakfasts we have had!

During our stay, we had dinner at the hotel and I have to say, the food was superb and would not be out of place in a 5 star hotel.

I would have no hesitation in recommending this charming hotel to anyone and we will definitely be planning a return trip.

Were looking forward to a special weekend away but were sadly disappointed. A lovely location and convenient for Carlisle; food good. Apart from this a depressing experience. Dark and cluttered interiors, service poor. We were left to find our own way to our room with no help with bags etc. Bedroom small and cluttered, bathroom very dated. How can £170 a night possibly be justified? We have stayed for considerably less money at central London locations where the service and decor have been incomparably better.