The Forest Side Hotel: Reflection 12 Years On

Located on the wooded slopes of Grasmere, The Forest Side Hotel & Restaurant is a long‑standing project where HPA has supported the client in the practical development of this Victorian country house hotel. Over more than a decade, we have helped the building evolve sensitively and purposefully so it can operate effectively as a modern hospitality venue.

Designing for Locality, Quality, Relaxed Comfort and Timelessness

Our work with The Forest Side has always been guided by the same values that underpin the hotel today: local, quality‑driven, relaxed, and timeless design. These principles shaped every intervention – from restoring original features to creating new spaces that feel deeply connected to Grasmere, never imposed upon it.

The project began with the careful restoration of the former hunting lodge, where essential repairs were carried out alongside the retention of historic fabric. Internal layouts were reconfigured to support a contemporary hospitality operation while remaining sympathetic to the building’s Victorian character. A garden‑facing dining extension strengthened the relationship between the house, its landscape, and its food philosophy.

Rooted in the Kitchen Garden – Food First, Design in Support

The hotel’s culinary approach is grounded in what is grown, foraged and crafted on site. The kitchen garden and foraging programme formed the foundation of the entire concept long before interior decisions were made. Forest Side’s restaurant delivers seasonal, ingredient‑led cooking inspired by the landscape, with menus shaped by what is grown on the estate and sourced from trusted local producers.

HPA’s design supports this ethos by creating spaces where garden, kitchen and dining room are seamlessly connected. The architectural language is intentionally calm and understated – designed so that the craft of food, not the building, takes centre stage.

Craft, Provenance and Materiality

Craft is at the heart of Forest Side’s identity. During the building’s redevelopment, it became home to one of the largest installations of Herdwick wool carpets in the region, alongside custom‑made mattresses – reinforcing the commitment to locality and provenance.

Our design approach mirrors these values: materials that belong to the Lakes, joinery and finishes chosen for longevity, and spaces shaped for quiet ease rather than showiness. Forest Side is known for being “quietly refined rather than showy…guided by an understanding that true luxury is found in how a place makes you feel.”

Land Stewardship Leads to a Green Michelin Star

Forest Side has long held a Michelin Star under its acclaimed culinary leadership.

More recently, the hotel has also been awarded a Green Michelin Star, celebrating its commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility – all values that closely align with early design decisions around locality, foraging and land stewardship.

With a place secured in the top 100 of the National Restaurant Awards 2026, the hotel continues to garner accolades within the hospitality sector.

Bringing the Spirit of the Lakes to a National Audience

As the hotel continues to gain national attention, its culinary ethos is championed by Head Chef Paul Leonard, whose cooking is closely tied to place, seasonality, and ingredient‑led craft. The restaurant is positioned as offering “an experience inspired by the landscape,” shaped by what is grown on site and sourced locally.

This commitment is now reaching a wider audience with Paul Leonard having competed on the BBC’s Great British Menu, bringing the spirit of the Lakes – its produce, creativity and sense of place – to viewers across the UK.

Reflecting on the evolution of the hotel, HPA Associate Andrew Walters noted, “The continued success of The Forest Side Hotel in the years following completion of the building project has made the project particularly special. Seeing the hotel thriving today, while still feeling so calm, rooted and true to its setting, is hugely satisfying and is a credit to the strength of the original vision and the ongoing commitment of the hotel team.”

Head over to our Leisure & Hotel sector pages to discover some of our beautiful hotel projects.