The Punch Bowl Inn & Restaurant at Crosthwaite in the Lyth Valley has been awarded the Fabulous Food award in the Sawday’s British Hotel Awards.

The award was presented at The Punch Bowl on Friday October 6 by Tom Bell, Sawday’s British Hotels & Inns editor .

The Fabulous Food award is given to just one establishment out of the 300 selected for Sawday’s annual Special Places to Stay guide.

Presenting the award, Mr Bell said: “ So many large hotels are anonymous spaces where you are known only by your room number and left to fend for yourself. Small hotels are the polar opposite: warm, intimate places that aren't ruled by a set of corporate instructions.

“ The Punchbowl Inn is a timeless Lakeland inn lost in beautiful hills that draws a crowd from near and far for its delicious local food.”

The guide highlights Arthur Bridgeman Quin’s ‘ambrosial food’, paying particular attention to the Lancashire cheese soufflé, Cumbrian venison with smoked beetroot, and banana soufflé with vanilla ice cream.

The accolades are coming in thick and fast for the 2AA rosette inn & restaurant.

In September The Punch Bowl was voted Cumbria’s Dining Pub of the Year for the third time in four years in the Good Pub Guide and earlier this week, chef Arthur Bridgeman Quin claimed a coveted runner-up spot in the UK Young Chef of the Year competition.

Richard Rose, owner of the Punch Bowl Inn, said: “This is a very special award to receive and we’re honoured that a brand like Sawday’s, which includes so many great places to stay, has chosen us above hundreds of places across the UK.

"I am so proud of the Punch Bowl’s hard-working and hugely talented kitchen team who consistently produce outstanding food for our guests day after day. This award is a credit to them.”