The Old Stamp House Restaurant
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The Old Stamp House Restaurant
Review
About
Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best
2024
MICHELIN
View more on MICHELIN Guide
1 MICHELIN Star: High quality cooking, worth a stop!
In the heart of the Lake District sits this quirky little restaurant, which occupies the cellars of an old house where William Wordsworth used to work as the Distributor of Stamps for Westmorland. It's now owned by the Blackburn brothers – Ryan heads up the kitchen, while Craig looks after the service – and they display a passion for all things regional in their ‘A Journey Around Cumbria’ tasting menu. The skilfully prepared dishes have been well-thought-through and carefully balance bold and delicate flavours; each one has a story – sometimes historic, sometimes personal.
Read more on MICHELIN Guide
Features
CUISINES
British
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Full Bar
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed today
Sunday
Closed
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
12:30 - 13:3018:00 - 21:00
Wednesday
12:30 - 13:3018:00 - 21:00
Thursday
12:30 - 13:3018:00 - 21:00
Friday
12:30 - 13:3018:00 - 21:00
Saturday
12:30 - 13:3018:00 - 21:00
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4.9
1,687 reviews
Excellent
1,538
Very good
120
Average
19
Poor
8
Terrible
2
TravelBedfordshire
Leighton Buzzard1269 contributions
Mar 2025 • family
Absolutely first class in every way! The food was fantastic and presented in the most unusual way. Delicate with a huge attention to detail. Two of us weren’t too keen on having the meats on offer for the evening tasting menu. We spoke to the restaurant in advance and we were accommodated without any fuss. We had an extra fish course and delicious vegetarian courses.
The restaurant has a sophisticated calmness about it without being pretentious. The furnishings are contemporary and tasteful. The staff were so knowledgeable about the different courses. We also had a letter from the owner, placed on our table, explaining where they source their local ingredients from and other information about the restaurant. A lovely personal touch.
The sommelier was extremely helpful whilst we were choosing our wines. He was very professional.
In all we thoroughly enjoyed our evening. The owner came into the restaurant and spoke to his guests about the different dishes. A lovely personal touch. We will return when we are next in The Lake District. This Michelin * restaurant is a wonderful find.
Written 15 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rich Havenhand
Sheffield42 contributions
Dec 2024 • friends
The dining experience was excellent, with delectable cuisine and an enchanting ambiance in the heart of Ambleside. The menu and overall service were commendable.
However, the wine flight was totally overpriced and commenced only after the third course, necessitating an interim beverage.
Furthermore, the service staff were upselling an additional cheese course even before dessert was served. This detracted from the overall dining experience. Shame
Written 9 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul C
Liverpool44 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
We have been waiting to eat at The Old Stamp House in Ambleside for a long time and when we finally made it we were not disappointed.
The food was exquisite, the service faultless.
The sommelier's choice of wines to accompany the dishes was perfect and quite frankly, unparalleled.
It was wonderful to meet Ryan, the amazing chef, when he brought the main course to the table, an excellent idea and welcome addition to the meal. This gave us an opportunity to discuss many topics not solely the food and to discover a number of shared interests... (YNWA!!)
Last but not least, we would like to thank Olivia for her warm and friendly welcome, her attentive service throughout and her engaging conversation.
We cannot wait to return.
Paul and Laraine Cousins
One cautionary note. If you are over six foot tall be aware of some of the beautiful old and original low beams in certain areas which I discovered to my cost. 🤕😂
Written 21 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NorthernladEssexGirl
Bishops Stortford866 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
I am not a foodie (whatever that is supposed to mean), my mum was an Irish school dinner lady so we had potatoes and bread all the time. I have been coming to Ambleside once a year for many years and always walk past the Old Stamp but never thought of booking. Recently our local pub (down south) was charging £27 for a main, £9 for dessert plus a service charge, so I thought £55 for a 7-course lunch tasting menu was worth trying at that price. I did not know what to expect and was a bit concerned I would not enjoy the meal but now I do appreciate the difference between pub food and a restaurant with a Michelin star. The service and attention to detail was outstanding and even though the portions are small we were full before the dessert came out. The standout course was the Bay Potted Shrimps, but everything was excellent.
Written 5 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erica S
Stockport10 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
Great ambiance and some courses were sublime (crab, raspberry dessert, bread and fish course). Shocked being served grey squirrel as this made me feel ill and was not shown on website menu. All in all otherwise most courses enjoyable but with highs and lows. Lastly felt being served 2 Espresso's at £5 each which were accompanied by 6 small after dinner sweets at an extra cost of £14 we didn't order a bit much! Love my food but I would not return sadly.
Written 17 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abbie C
Carlisle128 contributions
Jan 2025 • couples
We visited for the 5 course lunch and would say this is one of the best meals we have had locally. The quality of the food was exceptional and fantastic value. Service was also great, relaxed atmosphere, and the chef took the time to serve the main course and have a chat with each table which was great. I am pregnant and this was accommodated for very well with slight variations being made, so I could still enjoy all of the courses. We will be back!
Written 21 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve H
Liverpool38 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
We were warmly welcomed as we arrived at the historical workplace of Cumbrian poet Wordsworth who was postmaster at the Old Stamp House in 1813, now a renowned Michelin star restaurant in the heart of Ambleside.
Shown immediately to our table in a cosy dining room boasting a 19th century selfie illustrating Wordsworth himself in post, we were greeted by head chef Ryan who delivered a delicious consomme welcome warmer, brewed from meat of the day.
A perfectly baked beetroot macaron style amuse bouche set the bar high with pickled apple and a cumberland sauce. A hearty rabbit canneloni followed.
Beautifully baked warm bread bathed in a herdwick fat blessed the table, impossible to resist but satisfyingly rewarding and the perfect medium for secretly mopping the remains of the spiced mead veloute from the potted shrimp course.
The poached egg yolk swaddled in the pumpkin moose with black trompette treats was delicious, followed by a loin of cod outstandingy full of flavour and finally the star of the show was Cartmel venison, celeriac and a well balanced truffle sauce.
Most of the wine pairings complimented the courses well although the first three whites lacked variety. We wondered whether Craig was actually a somellier as the descriptions were rather shallow and always rushed.
Finally the desserts, which started with a delightfully light yoghurt moose and rhubarb sadly ran out of steam as the final souflee was bland and confused with poached pear, but thankfully salvaged with a rich tasty rum sauce.
Overall, a good value restaurant, very friendly, worthy of a star and highly recommended despite the final course perhaps not matching the high standards of the previous six.
Written 27 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DEBRA S
Blackpool2838 contributions
Sept 2024 • friends
What an eventful weekend we have just had spent with lovely friends.
Our very first time in a Mitchelin star restaurant. It took us on a culinary journey (and it was a journey) we will never forget.
Old Stone House, which is located in the charming town of Ambleside, gave us the finest cuisine we have ever sampled. Whether you are a foodie or not you can not fail to be impressed.
When shown to our table a personalised letter from the chef, Ryan Blackburn, was waiting for us, sealed in wax, what a very special touch.
Everything is freshly cooked, locally sourced ingredients all carefully crafted (works of art and I would go as far as to say masterpieces). Service second to non (even the head chef and owner Ryan comes to the table which was a welcome personal touch).
It was a lunchtime booking but walking into this hidden gem of a restaurant you would actually think it was evening with the intimate ambiance, the lighting and the beautiful table candles (which weren't actual candles, just exquisitely made pieces of art made in a way that reflected the light to resemble candlelight).
We all enjoyed each delicious course that came along, accompanied by a very nice Rioja wine. I was excited to see bone broth on the menu - it's a low carb / intermittent fasting favourite that I actually haven't tried before. It was as delicious as I had anticipated. Who would have thought something so simple could be so damn tasty 😋
After the most amazing dessert we decided to push the boat out and ordered a selection of local cheeses to share, which came with home made biscuits - we paired the cheese with an aged tawny port.
What a wonderful experience.
Our first Michelin Star restaurant but definitely not the last.
Written 17 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keith3270
Skipton232 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
The restaurant is a quirky, tardis of a place, delightfully decorated with subtle lighting creating a cosy ambience. You can't get a better start than the chef patron, Ryan, taking the time to explain and serve the first dish, an amazing intense consome of local hogget, followed by two of the best amuse bouche we've ever had. The service for the rest of the meal was friendly and informative but a little slow, taking 3 hours to finish the meal. The dishes were all undeniably superb, rich, imaginative and complex with powerful flavours, well worthy of one or even 2 stars and among the best we've had, The only minor niggle was that the entire meal was probably a little too rich, particularly for my wife. Even though, it was still excellent, we loved it and at £95 (the same price as the awful meal at Chewton Glen!) a relative bargain!
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rv55sel
Bovey Tracey19 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
We travelled all the way from Devon to eat in this much hyped restaurant.
It was my wife’s birthday and we were hoping / expecting to be “wowed “ by the 9 course tasting menu.
Sadly , shortly after arrival , we felt somewhat snubbed by the somelier when we told him we didnt want the wine pairing. This spoiled the rest of our evening.
He basically ignored us for the rest of the evening , spending time with and being extremely attentive to those who were drinking and barely acknowledging our existence.
We never once got asked if we wanted our sparkling water bottle refreshed - I had to ask a different waiter.
It really felt like an “us and them “ and made us quite uncomfortable.
The food was very nice , but not the “wow” quality and taste we were expecting having seen the restaurant rated so highly by Tom Kerridge on the TV.
We travelled over 300 miles each way especially to eat here , and felt pretty disappointed. We also left feeling hungry as the portions were very small .
When paying £200 for dinner for two ( without wine ) we wanted to leave wowed and full , after a wonderful dining experience and top end customer service. Sadly all these things were left wanting and we had to go and get some more food on the wayback to our hotel.
Written 2 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle Wood
Sutton-in-Craven281 contributions
May 2024 • couples
Best. Meal. Ever. Since seeing this place on Tom Kerridge's TV show, we were desperate to go, and we couldn't rate it highly enough. The restaurant itself is cosy and welcoming, reflecting the environment of The Lake District. We loved the letter on the table which explained what we were going to be eating, from the sourcing of the ingredients to the way the dishes were prepared. Every course was perfection, from the beetroot macarons with duck liver paté, to the crab cannelloni, to the Morecambe bay shrimp, to the arctic char, to the roe deer. Even the beer bread was delicious. Each dish was presented beautifully, and the main course was served by chef, which gave us a great opportunity to chat with him and give him our compliments personally. We felt that the lunch menu was very reasonable, and we can't wait to go back. Thank you Ryan and team for an unforgettable experience.
Written 26 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shaunsouthern
Oswestry1494 contributions
Mar 2025 • couples
We've had some amazing meals at top restaurants all over the world, including a 21 course meal at a three michelin star restaurant, but honestly, I think this one was the best ever. We've been to the Stamp house twice before and as soon as we knew we were coming to the Lakes this weekend, I was on the website at 5am as soon as the reservations for March opened, making sure I could book us a table.
We talked to the sommellier about our favourite types of wine and he suggested a few modest ones but we really pushed the boat out and ordered a bottle of Nosotros Malbec, which was utterly amazing. Im going to have to get my wife this for Christmas now ! He was so enthusiastic about this wine that it made it even better.
We started with two amuse bouche, my cheese one just melted in my mouth and was so flavoursome. Then wonderful baked hot bread ( I had two ! ) a fish started, an onion tart with broth, three more savoury dishes ( mainly fish as per my request ) and then three amazing desserts, each one creamier and tastier than the last. The final one was macaroons with cream and sauce for me and glazed pineapple cubes for my wife. Her meal was completely vegan and I know shes enjoyed it when I dont get offered any. I didnt get a crumb !
Each dish was a decent size and so full of flavour. Superb presentation and perfect service. We rounded off the meal with a glass of port. The price - under £100. Just amazing.
Simply cant wait to go back !
Written 17 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon R
Kendal115 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
Stunning food, fabulous presentation.
We saw a TV programme recently where the chef said he doesn’t read positive reviews. I hope he does read this one because he deserves to know how happy he makes his clientele.
The food we had was practically perfect. Our venison dish was the best course of food we’ve ever had.
The fish course had an amazing depth of flavour. The cheese course astonishing. Snacks were outstanding the the soufflé delicious.
We’ll done to the entire team who prepared and served an outstanding and reasonably priced Michelin starred meal
Written 28 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
glentressgiant
34 contributions
Feb 2025 • couples
When we arrived at The Old Stamp House we were the first guests which we like' and we were immediately entranced by the menu and the extra care that Ryan had taken to prepare a personalised welcome letter with details about the source of each ingedient in each of the 5 courses. We enjoy Michelin starred restaurants and this meal was one of the best we have enjoyed in 50 years. Each course was beautifully presented and well matched.
Written 17 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KimberleyB
Lake District82 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
Ryan and the team, You had been on our bucket list for awhile now, I still am not sure why we hadn’t moved you up the list, but Ryan your culinary skills blew us away on the night, the food was worth the wait. You took the time to consider my husbands dietary restrictions making the food experience for us exemplary. Nice touch that you came out to each table not once but twice it really made you feel welcome.
The warm intimate & beautifully presented atmosphere goes a long way to make the food experience just a little bit special.
We were looked after primarily by two members of the waiting staff a lady and a young man who were managing a very busy service beautifully, with poise & warmth in equal measures.
The evening’s menu a tasting menu definitely showcases the local cultural heritage, influenced by the Cumbrian landscape & its people of the fells & sea which you know so well and it could be felt.
If we had not driven there ourselves we would likely have paired the menu with a wine flight, but instead we chose a few small glasses of wine from an English sparkling aperitif to an aged white Rioja & a gentle Rose. Just right and we were still able to drive home safely. The only small niggle which I hope you embrace and understand was that as we were not pairing our wine, we felt a little neglected when it came to ensuring our thirst was appeased, glasses remained empty/overlooked with regards to any refill needs be they alcoholic or non-alcoholic & finding advice on what wines by the glass might go well wasn’t really forthcoming from the sommelier, when the question was posed for my husband’s more specific menu requirement.. just small details such as keeping water glasses refreshed is always a small joy for us when enjoying such quality food, I think the tables who were pairing wine had a much more attentive experience. You will understand that the whole experience is important and sometimes small details stick hard. The night however was indeed one of those moments where it felt a dance was being had in our mouths as far as your food was concerned, we loved it.
With my husband’s food limitations it can be a struggle with tasting menus but you pulled out the stops on the food front. Although you catered for him so well it might have been a nice touch to include his menu in the envelope waiting for us when we arrived, this has happened with us before, elsewhere, it didn’t help that the front of house management could not tell us what his dishes would be so this initially proved difficult when deciding on wine. However our experience will definitely be etched deep in our memories of happy. Ryan keep doing what you do, a real thank you for sharing your innate skill of food and I hope our review falls well with you and adds as a great motivator to the team at the Old Stamphouse Thank you so much… hope to come visit you all again soon.
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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