A LAKE District restaurant has been featured in an influential list of top places to dine in 2022.

The team at the Old Stamp House, Ambleside, learned they had been included in the top 100 restaurants in the UK, during the 16th annual National Restaurant Awards held at London’s Hurlingham Club.

Chef Ryan Blackburn discovered that his Lake District restaurant had been listed at No.87 in the influential list of 100 top places to dine for 2022.

Launched in 2007, the awards celebrate the brilliance and vibrancy of the UK’s eating out scene, and reward the very best chefs, front of house staff and restaurants the country has to offer, from Michelin-starred dining rooms to casual neighbourhood bistros and gastropubs and reward the very best chefs, front of house staff and restaurants the country has to offer.

The awards are a celebration of places in the UK that make eating out a true pleasure. The list of the 100 best restaurants in the UK is voted for by 200 industry experts from across the UK, including chefs, restaurateurs, critics and food writers.

The UK is split into 11 regions, with judges voting for the top seven restaurants they have dined at in the last 12 months, in order of preference as well as for a 16 special award categories including, Chef of the Year presented to L’Enclume’s Simon Rogan, the Life Time Achievement Award for Ruth Rogers of The River Café and Gastropub of the Year for Michael Wignall’s Angel at Hetton. The north of England did well overall, with a total of 17 of the top 100 restaurants located across the region.

Mr Blackburn said: "The team at the Old Stamp House are over the moon to feature alongside the UK’s top restaurants; including Core, Ynyshir and L’Enclume. Being listed at No.87 is huge for us, especially as it massively recognises the efforts of every member of the team in the restaurant.

"As a team, we constantly listen to what our guests have to say and the feedback they give us helps us deliver the high levels of service, hospitality and cuisine that we have become known for. We just want to say a huge thank you to everyone that has helped us evolve on our journey.’’