AN up-market brasserie has opened its doors in the grounds of one of Cumbria's best-loved estates.

The Ilex brasserie has been transformed by local craftsmen from one of Holker Hall's private dining rooms and makes for beautiful ambiance with top-class food served alongside the magnificent views and grand surroundings. The Ilex opened on Wednesday and welcomes customers for everything from afternoon tea to wedding and christening celebrations.

Explaining the choice of name for the venue, which means "oak" in Latin, brasserie manager Tony Shaw said: "There are dozens of oak trees lining the park and walkways outside the new brasserie and all of our floors are made from oak, so the name is really fitting.

"We are working alongside as many local businesses as possible, such as Unsworth's in Cartmel for bespoke drinks and Cartmel Valley Game for meat. 

"We are also delighted to be continuing our partnership with Campbell and Rowley, who of course do all the catering and restaurant cuisine for the Cartmel Races and the Holker Garden Festival."

Ilex chef Paul Rowley has created a menu of original and irresistible dishes made using local produce and imaginative ingredients, including herbs and edible flowers grown in the Holker Kitchen Garden by Countryfile award-winning gardener Glynn Sherratt and his team.

Chairman of the Holker Group, Lucy Cavendish has been heavily involved in the development of the new brasserie and hopes the venue will be able to host wedding breakfasts now that Holker Hall has been granted a wedding licence. 

She said: "As a family we have always enjoyed food. Not just its creation and consumption but the gathering together of friends and the sharing of food in a warm and welcoming environment. I have always wanted to open a restaurant and I am delighted to be able to do so right at the heart of the Estate, close to the House, to share with our visitors, old and new from near and far."