Restaurant, The

Five stars and 2 Rosettes by the AA just about sums up the standard at Lythe Hill Hotel and Spa; and yes, the setting is also uplifting, in twenty-two acres of calm Surrey countryside and an oak-panelled restaurant overlooking the lake and parklands beyond. Peace and tranquillity doesn't get much better than this.

The menu demonstrates British seasonality at its best, in dishes such as seared calf's liver with crispy pancetta, sage mashed potato and glazed carrots, and pigeon breast with wild mushrooms and micro greens. Local suppliers are also given a place of prominence. To finish, the flavours in a vanilla pannacotta with poached fruits work well together, while the sticky toffee pudding with clotted cream ice cream and chocolate fondant with almond milk are just pure indulgence.