Holbeck Ghyll in South Lakeland

Went here for the spa which was lovely, staff very friendly and professional. Facilities in the spa were good although there is no large pool just plunge pools. Downside was the changing rooms were very hot, we were all dripping with sweat trying to get changed afterwards. We also had lunch here and the food was lovely but just like regular pub grub.

Avoid! Avoid! Avoid! Just had one of the worst dining experiences of my life, for a 30th birthday celebration courtesy of Lucy’s on a plate Ambleside! I honestly don’t know where to begin with this, maybe the appalling manager, slow service, bland overpriced food, not sure really but here we go. So we email this place the previous evening to our booking enquiring about a reservation for 2 people, we heard nothing until WE contacted them around 3/4pm the following day to be told “oh yes im just on with the bookings now and was just about to call you”which I didn’t believe but that’s fine, on the phone I explained it was a special 30th birthday meal for my partner as they asked were we celebrating an occasion. We were looking forward to our meal and arrived slightly early about 6.20 for a 7pm table, we thought we could maybe have a drink if they had a bar or somewhere to wait for the table. We were shocked to see the manager fumbling around with his booking sheet to clearly see he didn’t have our names down, just to write us in in front of him, he then makes a joke saying “that would of been embarrassing”yeah it certainly would have been embarrassing so not a great start at all, we sit down to read the menu and notice some essay on the front talking about the guests and what they were celebrating, no mention of my partners 30th birthday just a half arsed after thought saying hello Andrew and Rhianne, as we were clearly forgotten about. After looking at the menu we decided to go for 2 pork belly starters £12 each and lamb shank £28 and lamb tagine £24, starters came out pretty quickly around 10-15 mins so great, unfortunately BLAND!! The apple puree could of been anything as there was no flavour at all, no sweetness to balance the dish just the flavour or pork and a little black pudding Bon Bon, BLAND! Then we wait for almost 1 hour, yes 1 hour for the main, asking the waiting staff how long, got told if it’s not here in 5 mins I’ll go and punch the chef, yes haha very funny but just get me my food I wasn’t up for jokes by this time, then the mains come, my lamb shank was dry had next to no sauce or should I say gravy at all, the mash was lukewarm the veg the same and very undercooked, I’m all for al dente but this just wasn’t and a piece of parsnip no bigger then your little finger, this place is a long way off fine dining! I asked for some more sauce and was brought a gravy boat of wishy washy gravy that they must use on every dish! Honestly very similar to a bisto gravy, where’s the lamb flavour or the reduced stock to coat the lamb shank, absolutely nothing! My partner said the lamb tagine was lukewarm again but after waiting an hour we were so hungry we just ate it, she said the cous cous was just bland and had nothing special about it, she said the cous cous from Sainsbury’s ‘food on the go’ was much nicer, why is this when we’re paying all this money? We also noticed there was no check back to see how we were enjoying the food as tbh they just weren’t bothered! When our plates were cleared(25 mins after we had finished) we were asked was everything ok, I said hmm yeah ok to which the waitress replied “ok yeah” great and takes the plates. This is where I would of informed the manager that someone was not very happy and suggest they go and speak to them! I was very reluctant to say anything because I’m aware I’m celebrating my partners 30th and didn’t want to make a scene, after such terrible service and food we just couldn’t order a dessert as we weren’t going to give these people my more of our money, we receive the bill at £115 for 2 starters 2 mains and 2 drinks each one of those was non alcoholic. Very overpriced for the quality you receive. Then to top the night off I go to pay, this is where the manger really shows his lack of experience, from me counting out the money to pay he never once asked “how was your meal” how did your partner enjoy her 30th birthday celebration” nothing! Didn’t even say enjoy your evening, honestly I recommend you research this place before going here as it’s beyond bad!

Always very good fish and chips here and staff good to.

Wonderful place. Small roads that were interesting to drive on. However, the room was really lovely and the afternoon tea was sublimely good. Hill top was right next door too. A really great place with several wonderful walks around it.

Omg, what amazing service with a smile, Janet made me feel so welcome and also went above and beyond 😊