Exploring Cartmel: The Cumbrian Village with Four Michelin Stars

Written by: Alex

Date posted: 11 July, 2025

Location: Cartmel

Cumbria’s food & drink scene is world class, with the most Michelin stars per county outside of London; and one of only two three-Michelin starred restaurants outside of London and the southeast. That’s L’Enclume, located in the pretty village of Cartmel and where we found ourselves on a sunny Thursday. The reason? To try their new hyper-seasonal lunch menu, available Wednesday - Friday through the summer growing season and offering a more concise dining experience than their signature 16-course tasting menu.

Set in a stone-fronted, understated building in the heart of Cartmel, L’Enclume is headed up by Simon Rogan with Executive Chef Paul Burgalières and Head Chef Alex Rothnie at the helm in the kitchen. Priced at £125 per person, the new lunch menu features 8 courses, with each dish reflective of the Cartmel Valley’s vibrant landscape. There’s a strong seasonal focus here, and we enjoyed hearing all about the ingredients used in creating each dish - as well as their provenance just steps away, at L’Enclume’s very own ‘Our Farm’. Authenticity is key here, with connections to the local landscapes at every turn - from food & drink to tableware.

Guests are encouraged to relax and enjoy the experience. Bread, for example, should be used to mop up any remaining sauce in a dish; and tips are given on how to enjoy each dish to its fullest. Our menu was presented to us in a sealed envelope; we chose to keep it that way, instead enjoying the surprise each course brought.

A wine pairing is available, however we opted for the soft drinks pairing - a no less interesting option, perfect for those who prefer not to drink as well as designated drivers. Flavours like beetroot, coffee and pear complemented the dishes, with a ‘no waste’ ethos shining through - every part of an ingredient is used and any waste is re-purposed where possible, resulting in maximum flavour and in keeping with the restaurant’s Michelin Green Star for sustainability.

Rounding off with a little fun, a dish of stones was placed in front of us. Two, we were told, were edible - the rest were real. Thankfully, given how convincing they were, we were given a tip as to which ones!

Following lunch, a walk around Cartmel was in order. This pretty village is home to a rich history and heritage, with Cartmel Priory standing proud in the centre. Dating back to the 12th century, it remains a place of worship to this day and makes for an impressive sight! There’s also the Cartmel Priory gatehouse, just around the corner from L’Enclume.

Cartmel is also known for being the home of Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding, and while we were happily full, we couldn’t resist picking some up. It’s sold at the village shop alongside a whole host of locally made food & drink. Just a couple of steps away, we stopped to say hello to Cartmel’s resident alpacas (yep, you read that right!). They’re looked after by All About Alpacas Cartmel and can be found next to the Cartmel Racecourse car park. If you fancy, there’s the chance to get closer with alpaca walks, meditation sessions, meet & greets and more.

Feeling adventurous? You can also try your hand at segway tours with Lakeland Segway, who run guided Segway tours in the landscapes around Cartmel Racecourse and The Holker Estate. 

Staying in Cartmel? Check out these great accommodation options:

• 16 stylish rooms are dotted across Cartmel with Our Rooms by L’Enclume. Plus, bookings guarantee a table at L’Enclume.

• Discover boutique rooms in the village centre at Coffee & Stays at Cartmel Square, with breakfast included to fuel your day’s adventures

• Overlooking Cartmel racecourse, Cartmel Old Grammar is a boutique hotel offering a great place to relax.

• For a self catering option, choose from one of two cosy cottages with Wall Nook Cottages

• The Pheasant Lodge is great for larger groups, with views across the Cartmel valley and space to sleep six guests.

• For something truly unique, check out Stable Stays at Greenbank Farm - where you can share a stable with a Friesian horse or miniature shetland!

Top Tip: look out for a day at the races: Cartmel Racecourse hosts regular events throughout the summer season, including a special live music event - past performances have come from Olly Murs, Cliff Richard, and Boyzone.