Luxury Britain
Berners Tavern, West End
For sheer spectacle, there are few
dining rooms to beat Jason Atherton’s
space in the heart of the West End.
Reserve a circular booth in the centre
of the room to give the best view of
the dozens of paintings and artworks
that cover the walls and feast on
regional British treats such as Cornish
cod or Kentish lamb. A seat at the bar
is one of the hottest cocktail tickets
in town; try a Thyme Traveller, with
tequila and apple liqueur.
www.bernerstavern.com
Gymkhana, Mayfair
Winner of a Michelin star in the first
year of opening, Gymkhana has
received praise from all quarters –
critics and customers alike – who have
been won over by its flair and finesse
in Indian cuisine. The interior is stylish,
kitted out like a Raj-era gymkhana club,
ingredients are seasonal and British,
and the atmosphere is intimate and
romantic. Start your visit at the bar,
where cocktails on the menu infuse
rose water, spices and exotic fruits.
www.gymkhanalondon.com
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house, part of Lord Manners’ country
estate. The impeccable service adds
to the feel of old-school luxury, with
dishes such as Pan-fried Derbyshire
beef with smoked mash and marinated
duck liver with shitake mushrooms
offering the best of modern British
cuisine. Rowsley is a delightfully
tranquil Peak District village, around
three hours’ drive north of London.
www.thepeacockatrowsley.com
The Witchery by the Castle,
Edinburgh, Scotland
Arguably the most unique dining room
in Scotland, the Witchery is a cluster of
beautifully restored buildings that date
back to the 16th century, right at the
top of the Royal Mile. Dine on seafood
platters and Scottish beef, surrounded
by ornate wood panelling, leather
studded banquettes and flickering
Vegetarians are particularly wellcatered for and fresh fish, caught on
the nearby Welsh coast, is a strong
feature. There are a dozen bedrooms,
making it perfect for a short break,
with the dramatic mountains of
Snowdonia National Park a short
drive away. Llandrillo is around 3.5
hours’ drive north-west of London.
www.tyddynllan.co.uk and
www.rarebits.co.uk
The Treby Arms, Devon,
South West England
Winner of a Michelin star for 2015,
The Treby Arms is a pearl in beautiful
Devon that offers fine pub dining
in a rustic and cosy countryside
atmosphere. The chef is Anton
Piotrowski, a MasterChef winner, who
transformed a humble village pub
into a must-stop for food lovers. In the
summertime there’s nowhere better
to be than the outdoor tables, beer in
hand, 6 course taster menu about to
commence.
www.thetrebyarms.co.uk
The Peacock at Rowsley,
Derbyshire, East Midlands
Roaring log fires and low-beamed
rooms give a wonderfully cosy feel to
the dining rooms in this 17th century
candles. There are also nine opulent
suites which ooze glamour – perfect
for retiring to after a wonderfully
indulgent dinner.
www.thewitchery.com
Eriska, Isle of Eriska,
West Argyll, Scotland
Cross over the Hotel Eriska’s own
private bridge to access this magical
place – your very own island, where
Highland cattle graze and grey seals
bob about in the surrounding waters.
This piece of heaven on earth is a
hotel and restaurant, which was
recently awarded a Michelin star –
making the idyll complete! Leave
room after dinner for the Farmhouse
Cheese Trolley. There’s also a nine
hole golf course on site.
www.eriska-hotel.co.uk
Tyddyn Llan, Llandrillo,
Denbighshire, Wales
The former shooting lodge of the
Duke of Westminster, Tyddyn Llan is
now one of Wales’ top restaurants,
offering daily-changing a la carte
menus, and two tasting menus.
Ynyshir Hall,
Eglwysfach, Powys, Wales
Come for the Michelin-starred
food, stay for the utter peace and
tranquillity which surrounds Ynyshir
Hall, tucked away in the Cambrian
mountains in mid-Wales. The hotel’s
restaurant is one of the most elegant
fine dining rooms in Wales, and chef
Gareth Ward uses only local produce
to create light but innovative tasting
menus. Salmon and sewin come from
nearby rivers, lobster crab and shrimp
from the Welsh coast, which is just a
few miles away. Ynyshir is around 4.5
hours drive north-west of London.
www.ynyshirhall.co.uk