Farlam Hall, a four-star hotel in Brampton, Cumbria, offers a bucolic retreat surrounded by rolling hills. This elegant country house boasts exquisite Michelin-starred dining and is perfect for rest, relaxation, and indulgence.
Location
Situated in the north-east corner of Cumbria near Hadrian’s Wall and less than 20 miles from the Scottish border, Farlam Hall feels delightfully rural despite being just 10 minutes from the M6. Carlisle railway station, 12 miles away, serves regular direct trains to London and Scotland. Surrounded by rolling hills, sheep, and mature gardens, it offers a bucolic retreat with activities like walking, hiking, cycling, stargazing, golf, and fishing.
The Vibe
A classic country house for grown-ups with a history dating back to 1428. Elegant and refined, the airy house is filled with vases of fragrant lilies, framed photographs of former residents and their pets, contemporary art, and a 19th-century clock by Robert Stephenson. Large sash windows overlook mature gardens, a lake, and a 150-year-old cedar tree.
Service
Professional and unassuming, staff provide a decorous approach to hospitality without skimping on warmth or knowledge about the property, area, and local activities.
Bed and Bath
Farlam Hall has 12 bedrooms in the main building and six luxury Stable Suites. The colour palette features dove grey, creams, and whites with muted tones. Deluxe Rooms and Junior Suites have bathtubs, as do some Superior Rooms. All rooms have local art, garden views, Molton Brown products, bathrobes, slippers, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee facilities. Stable Suites include private outdoor seating, some with kitchens, dining areas, and clawfoot bathtubs.
Food and Drink
The Cedar Tree restaurant, led by chef Hrikshikesh Desai, holds a Michelin star for four years. Dishes use kitchen garden ingredients with Indian spice influences. Two tasting menus and a three-course lunch offer delightful simplicity and class. The whipped chilli butter and calamansi sorbet are highlights. Bistro Enkel, open Sunday to Tuesday, provides a more informal experience with the same attention to detail.
Facilities
The Sycamore Retreat spa offers treatments using GAIA skincare. Guests can borrow yoga mats. Three lounges with open fires and coffee-table books are available. The gardens and pond are ideal for birdwatching.
Accessibility
Farlam Hall has a detailed accessibility statement. Room 14 has step-free access. Showers are level entry, and anti-slip mats and shower seats are available. Brookside House is a single-floor bungalow with level-entry showers and automatic floor lighting.
Pet Policy
Two rooms allow dogs for £30 per dog per stay. Dogs are not permitted in the restaurant or public lounges.
Check-in/Check-out
Check-in at 3pm, check-out before 11am.
Family-friendly?
Travel cots are available. Children aged nine and above are welcome in The Cedar Tree. Children of any age can dine in Bistro Enkel, but there is no dedicated children’s menu.
Best thing: The Cedar Tree restaurant – an unforgettable dining experience.
Perfect for: Food aficionados.
Not right for: Families with young children.
Instagram from: Your dining table (discreetly) – this food is designed for the grid.
