Happy belated Birthday to me! Well, I have turned another year older and I am now on the wrong side of twenty. I did exactly what I wanted to do and that was to enjoy a lazy picnic day on the lake shore, go on a huge walk around a beautiful lake (we chose an Ennerdale water walk from Visorando), escape the busy city life and then have a pottering day which involved an lovely great British pub. I’m pretty lucky that my parents live in the Lake District so any anytime I want a little break away from city life I can.

So on my actual birthday day I wanted to visit Kirkby Lonsdale, a quaint little town that borders Lancashire and Cumbria. Having always loved this place I knew I could take a stroll by the river and visit some individual, rustic, country shops. Best of both worlds – the great outdoors and spending that birthday money! Before we got there my Mother knew of a place that she strongly insisted we went too for a late lunch. I am so glad she introduced me to it, of course, it’s The Highwayman Inn.

The Highwayman Inn is nestled in the Lancashire countryside, you have to know about or you will miss it. As you walk into the restaurant a sense of style, tradition, and warmth welcomes you. You instantly just know that you’re going to get a quality meal. There was decking outside but unfortunately although it’s summer the weather wasn’t great.

So what an earth to choose with such a tempting menu? The decision was hard to make! Although my birthday lands in the middle of Summer it rained most of the day and to top it off I had somehow developed a nasty cold and was feeling rather lousy. But one thing on the menu stood out as true comfort birthday food. A homemade Sandham’s cheese and braised English onion, shortcrust pie served with a sour creamed jacket and beetroot salad. It was as good as it sounds. When you cut into the crusty pie crust the center just oozed cheesy filling and the fluffy jacket was the perfect accompaniment.

My Mother chose the chargrilled British beef burger. An 8oz – Rump beef burger topped with pulled brisket, smoked streaky bacon, Dewlay’s cheese and a toasted brioche bun. This was all served up with an individual pot of piccalilli and tomato relish and skinny fries. Just writing this article makes me wish I was there for tea tonight.

All food served at the Highwayman Inn uses locally produced produce which is a bonus. It adds a special feeling to the food knowing it was produced not far away. I’ll definitely be back although next I hope to visit The Nags Head in Cheshire which is owned by the same company 🙂

If you’d like to visit yourself you can find the details below.

Highwayman Inn, Burrow, Kirkby Lonsdale, LA6 2RJ
01524 273 338
http://www.highwaymaninn.co.uk/