The Sun Inn
The 17th century Sun Inn is nestled in the heart of the pretty and quaint Kirkby Lonsdale. With a bar, restaurant and rooms to stay overnight, the inn has everything under one roof for a perfect evening.
From the comfort and character in the bar area, sat amongst log burners beneath old beams, or tucked away in the restaurant decked with oak floors and flag stone walls- there is a place for every mood in this establishment.
I was taken to my room by Hannah, who made sure I had everything I needed and to show me where everything was.
My large room was decorated in neutral tones, with a black leather seating area, dressing table, wardrobe and flat screen TV LCD, free WI-FI and large bed with a luxury pillow topped mattress. With only eleven rooms in total, each one is individually designed so that every bedroom has its own unique character and look.
The room boasted complimentary tea and coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits as well as still and sparking water. Complimentary tea and coffee could also be enjoyed at the bar as part of your stay as a resident.
There is also a selection of magazines if you have forgotten to bring your own reading material.
The bathroom/wet room had a shower and free standing bath, with fluffy white towels and bathrobes, as well as a selection of products from the local Bath House. The support for the local business was very apparent in the hotel, demonstrating how closely knit and supportive the community is of one another.
Despite the parking being sparse in the street immediately outside of the inn, there are two car parks further into the town. A permit can be obtained from a staff member to make you exempt from parking tariffs for the duration of your stay. They also allow a little time on your day of check out to have a look around the shops in the town.
In the restaurant we were served by Hannah and Steve. Steve was extremely helpful in advising us on drinks to begin with and checked on my father’s wine selection to enquire if he was sure it complimented his food choice.
We started with a taster of homemade seasonal vegetable soup- which was carrot and cardamon. We each had a different dish- the roast duck leg, smoked bacon hash and gooseberry ketchup, mussels, cider, leeks and cream with crusty bread and smoked haddock risotto, poached egg and parmesan tuile.
For our mains we enjoyed the fillet of beef, field mushrooms, vine roast cherry tomatoes and triple cooked chips with a peppercorn sauce, saddle of venison, haggis croquette, sticky red cabbage, saffron fondant and chestnut dressing and fillet of Cornish brill, parsnip puree, spring onion, golden sultanas, serrano ham and lyonnaise potato.
For dessert we indulged in coconut panna cotta, pineapple, passion fruit and mango and Yorkshire rhubarb and ginger sponge trifle.
All were washed down with a coffee and hot chocolate- there was also an option of a full cheese board, however having indulged so much in the other courses we were unable to manage this. Having sampled a lot of the restaurants in the Lake District area, I can say with confidence this is one of the best I have had the pleasure of visiting. The food is not only layered with bursts of flavour, it also is a work of art on the plate. It is no wonder this restaurant has been awarded five star status by the AA. With the reasonable price of £28.95 for a three course meal- the restaurant is accessible for not only a special occasion but also a regular haunt for the locals or passers-by.
The breakfast was buffet style for fruit, yoghurts, homemade granola, cereals and pastries, as well as fresh juice. Toast, tea, coffee and the cooked option were made to order. I was served again by Steven who took care of me and made sure I had everything to set me up for the day.
As a place to stay all night for drinks with friends or somewhere to dine with family or a partner, the bustle of the bar and the intimacy of the restaurant gel together quite happily. With no disturbance from the busy bar in the restaurant area, the two groups of people can enjoy their evening side by side. It can function as an inn to stop on a bar crawl around Kirby Lonsdale or simply a place to stay for your night’s chatter and watering hole.
I would recommend The Sun Inn, Kirkby Lonsdale to anyone looking for a drink, meal or for deluxe hotel accommodation.
Thanks to Hannah, Steven and all the staff who played a part in making my stay so enjoyable.
The Sun Inn
6 Market Street,
Kirkby Lonsdale,
Cumbria,
LA6 2AU
Tel: 015242 71965
Fax: 015242 72485