The Black Bull
Sedbergh, Cumbria
Good Hotel Guide Review
In ‘England’s book town’, under mighty Howgill Fells on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this is just the place for a drover’s platter and a pint – or Korean beef, shiso and sesame with a shot of wasabi vodka. James Ratcliffe and his Düsseldorf-born Japanese partner, Nina Matsunaga, have transformed this 17th-century former coaching inn, creating uncluttered, wood-panelled bedrooms with a soothing palette. A glass-partitioned bathroom is not to everyone's liking, but you can always draw the modesty curtains. All rooms have bespoke Sedbergh toiletries, Cumbrian wool blankets and photographs of the area. Nina draws inspiration from her heritage when working with locally sourced produce to create dishes such as Lakeland venison with venison meatball, king oyster, oyster mushroom, dried shimeji and damson. On summer weekends there are outdoor barbecues and pizzas. ‘The food was excellent,’ wrote a returnee, ‘and surprising to see turbot on the menu with a generous portion, reasonably priced.’ He would have liked to stay again but the phone and emails went unanswered.
Hotel details
Address
44 Main Street
Sedbergh
Cumbria
LA10 5BL
England
Telephone
015396 20264
Bedrooms
18.
Open
all year except Dec 25, restaurant Wed–Sun, outdoor dining in peak season Fri, Sat, Sun.
Facilities
bar, restaurant, in-room TV (Freeview), 1-acre garden (outdoor bar, beer garden), parking, bar and restaurant wheelchair accessible, adapted toilet.
Background music
in public rooms.
Children
all ages welcomed, extra bed £22. Children's menu.
Dogs
allowed in three bedrooms (max 2, £25 per stay, welcome pack), bar, garden area, not in restaurant.
Credit cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B doubles from £139. À la carte £50. Min. 2-night stay Sat.