Highfield Hotel
The Heads, Keswick, Cumbria, England, CA12 5ER
Loading map...
#4 of 7
expert-rated hotels in Keswick- Recommended for:
- Couples, Culture vultures, Families with younger children, Foodies, Relaxation, Shopping, Sightseeing, Special occasions
Expert review of Highfield Hotel
A stately old property with a new food-loving focus.
Imposing Highfield, handy for the centre for Keswick, has undergone a major refurbishment over the last couple of years and emerged somewhat reborn with less chintz and more stylised features.
The big draw today is the fine-dining restuarant, which attracts non residents and staying guests alike.
Location:
Situated on The Heads, just a stone's throw from central Keswick, it overlooks Derwentwater from a high-rise location.
Bedrooms:
The sprawling property's 22 rooms still retain lots of the original Victorian features with balconies, turrets and bay windows.
I particualrly liked the Woodford Room, a former chapel furnished with antique furniture, a hand-carved bed and deep-red furnishings.
The East Turret, meanwhile, is a second-floor double with a DVD player and iPod docking station. A secret passage from the suite leads up to a hidden alcove with a window seat overlooking Derwentwater and Skiddaw.
Check availability and compare prices for Highfield Hotel
Eating and drinking:
The Highfield Restaurant is now the hotel's key feature with 40 covers, views across Borrowdale and Derwentwater and a menu of upscale modern British fare.
Think lots of seasonal produce and local treats - I found the canon of wild Cumbrian venison deliciously dark while the Cumbrian cheese selection offered a taste of local award winners.
Children aged eight years or more dine with their parents; younger children can take a high tea served between 4.30pm and 5.15pm.
After-dinner drinks in bar/reception area include a fine choice of malt whiskies.
Service:
Relaxed and dressed down but with a high staff-to-guest ratio. The young staff are keen but still seem to be learing on the job at times.
Check availability and compare prices for Highfield Hotel
Who stays there:
It's an older crowd during the week with younger, cash-rich urbanites at weekends. Lots of people staying elsewhere in Keswick pop in for dinner as it's one of the better places to eat in the evening.
Price advice:
Rates often include a four-course dinner - check the search tool above for more details.
Second-floor rooms may be smaller overall but some boast better views at a slightly lower price.
Children aged 2-8 sharing room with parents charged £15.00 per night b&b with travel cot and baby listening available.
Pros:
Rates include dinner
Quirky, historic features
Cons:
Parking space for 20
More information on Highfield Hotel:
- Type:
- Hotel
- Address:
- The Heads, Keswick, Cumbria, England, CA12 5ER
- Free tags / Keywords:
- fine dining
- Amenities:
- High-Speed Internet, Parking, Restaurant
