Allium, is a beautiful Michelin Starred restaurant within Askham Hall in the postcard pretty village of Askham in the northern Lake District. I ventured here with a friend in March, a sort of coming into Spring type break. It wasn’t our first visit, but so impressed by the food, service and location, we decided a weekend at Askham Hall and another marvellous feast at Allium was just what was needed.

Our previous visit was unfortunately a bit rushed, which was totally our fault. We had decided that climbing Hellvyln and subsquently getting lost was the perfect activity to do before having such a wonderful meal. Once we found the right path back to the car, we managed to contact the restaurant to see if they could move our table, which they did by an hour and half, which gave us just enough time to get back, quick shower and to get to the restaurant. We were greeted so warmly and everyone was so kind, even though this was all entirely our fault. Note to self, take a map reading course!

This time however, that was definitely not going to happen. We stayed at Askham Hall (previously we stayed the Queens Head in Askham, which is owned by the same company) and decided on a more known and easier walk on Askham Fell instead. We wanted maximum time to enjoy this feast.

Dinner is served in one of two rooms at Askham Hall, on our first visit we dined in the conservatory, possibly because it was summer, but this time we were seated in the cosy, wood panelled dining room, with a big roaring fire.

As is traditional, we started with a glass of fizz, and went for the matching wines with dinner. Our fizz was enjoyed with some pretty pre dinner nibbles; a Montgomery’s Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese and Beetroot Tart and Tuna Tartare, Cauliflower with Dashi Jelly and Seaweed.

For our next couple of courses we enjoyed the Marinated Isle of Man Scallops with Green Curry and Pickled Rhubarb, which may have been in fact my favourite course of the meal. Followed by Lowther Roe Deer Tartare with truffled Egg Yolk and Pickles, and you cant get more local than the Roe Deer, as the restaurant is on the edge of the estate!

Next up was a dish of North Sea Cod, Oyster Mushrooms, Mussels and Garden Greens, this was a beautifully cooked piece of Cod, which is a favourite fish of mine coupled with fresh vegetables and a tasty sauce, simple but perfect. The final savoury course was a Salt-aged Duck, Celeariac, Roasted Chicory with an Elderberry Sauce. The Duck was cooked perfectly, and was a great way to end the savoury portion of our meal.

Moving onto the dessert courses, and we enjoyed a lovely palate cleansing dish of Yorkshire Rhubarb with Lemon Thyme and Yoghurt, light and fresh to lead us into the final dessert of a Caramelised Apple with Malt and Artichoke. I was apprehensive about the artichoke element as that is really not a favourite vegetable of mine, however I need not have worried as it was delicious and frankly you couldn’t really taste it. Plus you really cant go wrong with Caramelised Apples!

Since we were ‘all in’ on this meal, we really couldnt let the cheese board pass us by. After five cheeses, chutneys and delicous crackers all washed down with a lovely glass of Port, you would think we would need a nap… and we did but we were seeing this through right to the end, were we enjoyed some Petit Fours and Peppermint tea.. and maybe an Armagnac for good measure!

The good thing with staying at Askhall Hall is that you can just crawl up the stairs to your room or let dinner digest in their comfortable lounge areas or even the little snug with honesty bar, should you feel the need for another drink. Which we did do, just one for the road and then we trotted off full and happy to bed.

As this is my second visit to Allium (and Askham Hall) you can tell I am a fan! I love the Lake District and now I have found my go to place, and I know I will be back, maybe sooner than I thought. If you are looking for a relaxing weekend away with good food, then Askham Hall is your place. Go, get it booked!