Broadoaks Boutique Country House

My husband (to be, as he was then) arrived with all the table decorations that I had made. Mel asked him to drive to the back door and he was helped by staff to get everything out of the car which was great. The day went really smoothly despite the ‘goddamn’ awful rain we had booked on a beautiful crisp sunny Jan day just under a year before ;-) When I arrived Mel came to greet me in the rain and helped me into the beautiful Walnut room to get changed with the bridesmaids so we didn’t have to traipse across from The Boudoir in the rain. Great advice from Mel to keep this as one of our available rooms…. We had about an hour to get ready when we arrived but as I’d come from Chorley with hair and makeup done there was no stress at all/time pressure as all I had to do was pop the dress on. As I entered the ceremony room (we had the semi circle layout suggested by Mel - I was dubious about this at first but went with it and this was a perfect choice as we then had a view over the fell side) I noticed how it had been laid out beautifully with our decs by the Broadoaks staff, with candles lit and it had a lovely ambience. Due to the time of year and because they’d had Christmas and New Year Celebrations Broadoaks had left the curtain lights up which made the room look extra lovely. After the ceremony we squashed 33 guests into the Music Room for a group photo as we would probably have been swept away by the beautiful Lake District weather should we have ventured outside! The canapés looked great but unfortunately we didn’t get to sample them all as they were brought out when photos were being done. The groom and myself did brave the elements for a few outside photos. I came in bedraggled and with a muddy dress but that was because we ventured down to the outside cermenony venue over their rockery! Did it stop my smile? Did it heck! I sneaked into the Wedding Breakfast room to see if it had been laid out nicely with all the arrangements that I’d made and I was awestruck. It looked as beautiful as I’d hoped for, especially when the waiter lit the candles when I asked him to!!!! The food was really delicious, great quality and plentiful (something that Broadoaks should show off with more - unlike mediocre food we had at Cragwood on a very disappointing minimoon - for many reasons, that we had for a couple of days afterwards). The only slight ****** we had with the meal is that tea and coffee are extra, something we felt should really be included in the package when paying for the 4 course meal option). We didn’t get our sparklers that were included in the package but I guess they wouldn’t have lit outside in the rain. Anyway… the rooms were beautiful but you’d know that if you book this venue as they will show you around several of them first. The breakfast was of high quality, beautiful half flat mushroom, poached eggs perfectly cooked, great quality sausage - no plain fatty porky here, lovely bacon, thick hand cut toast from ‘proper’ bread and I actua

We visited for afternoon tea with our elderly mother's as a treat. I can't fault it! Beautiful hotel, friendly helpful staff and food to die for! I'm gluten intolerant and my food was just gorgeous, the others also highly enjoyed theirs (we all took a doggy bag home, and most other guests seemed to).

We got married at Broadoaks on Saturday 2nd December 2023 and what a memorable day it was! I had wished for it to snow on our wedding day, but I couldn’t have ever predicted the amount of snow we would have! As expected, the snow meant there were a couple of disruptions to our day. The registrars were late (but they did make it!), our band didn’t make it, only one of our evening guests got there (they hiked up the hill in the snow!), and makeshift beds had to be set up in the music room because those who weren’t staying at Broadoaks couldn’t get back to their hotels. But Broadoaks made our day so perfect! Nothing was too much for the staff, who were also stranded there! We arrived on Friday 1st December, and our wedding coordinator, Jo, was there to greet us and help us settle in. We had arranged for an afternoon tea with family, and Broadoaks put on a wonderful array of food. We had some special dietary requirements (vegan & gluten-free guests) and Broadoaks had a fantastic selection that catered for them. There was so much food, we had a lot of it boxed up for later. In the evening, we had a meal with many of the guests that were coming to our wedding. We had the Beef Bourguignon for the main and ice cream for dessert – both of which were delicious. Again, all guests were catered for, and they even served the Bourguignon without mushrooms (a request from my husband). Our guests had the rest of the evening to relax and have some drinks in the music room, whilst my mum, my sister, and I went to relax in The Retreat. The Retreat was a paradise! There is an indoor and an outdoor spa bath (this is actually better than a hot tub as you don’t have to wait for it to heat up). I slept in the main bedroom and the bed was a super king and VERY comfortable. All guests had robes and slippers and there were more than enough towels. On the morning of our wedding, the snow began and was getting deeper. Jo ensured that everything was communicated to the bridal party in the retreat and brought a pair of wellies (luckily that a guest had) to me to wear up to the main house. Jo ensured that the ceremony, drinks, and wedding breakfast went smoothly. Jo and the Team did such an amazing job at arranging the rooms exactly as we wanted! The wedding breakfast food was outstanding! We went for Menu 3, meaning that guests got a choice of meals. To start, I had the scallops and my husband had the parfait. We both had lamb for the main and then I had apple and blackberry crumble for dessert, whereas my husband had the chocolate pot. Broadoaks are very generous with the portion sizes (I couldn’t eat all mine) and the food was the same quality as you get from dining in their Oaks restaurant (not as a guest at a wedding). It was simply delicious! When it came to the evening reception, the snow was so heavy that the band was unable to come, along with most of our evening guests. Broadoaks allowed us to use their PA system for our entertainment and then made arrangement

Where to start!!! It’s hard to put into words how amazing this place is but I will really try!!! Firstly the staff, from our first appointment with little Jo, we knew this has to be the place we got married. From the first meeting we felt so comfortable with her, she was sweet and friendly and very informative. Nothing was made to feel like an inconvenience when it came to questions we had. That held up through the 2 and a half years we worked with them. From our appointment calls to me just needing someone to rant to about things that stressed me out she was there and for that I am forever grateful, you ended up fast become a friend as well as our wedding coordinator. You are amazing little Jo!!! Between her and the wonderful Mel we always had someone willing to help us with what ever we needed!! Due to their attention to everything we had told them we had a wedding better than anything I could have dreamed off!!! The night time staff held up the amazing works too so a massive thank you to Dan, Ash and Jasmine you were all incredible!!we also can’t forgot the amazing chefs on that night, our wedding breakfast and the evening food was unbelievable, a massive thank you to Damien and Claude!! What you can do with food is just art!! The venue itself is like something from a fairytale!!! We fell in love the first time we saw it, we referred to it as a little hidden gem because none of our families had heard of it before but safe to say they all want to go back as soon as possible!! The couldn’t believe how amazing everything was from the rooms, to the stunning grounds to the little details all over. They finally understood why we choose to get married so far from home. It’s just magically it’s impossible not to fall in love with it!! So I know I said It was hard to put into words, well I clearly found them and couldn’t stop once I started!! There is just too much to love about this wonderful place and all the amazing people who work there!!! Thank you all so much

We have been coming to broadoaks for years and I have to say what has happend? The place as gone down hill! After eventually being able to check into are room at 345 we booked in for dinner and wow what a disappointment the service was, SHOCKING, the manager/owner Sian was extremely rude 0 customer service! Told her that are food order wasn't right and she huffed and told us "do you just want to eat that or should I make the chef do it again" I asked her for the dish I ordered again she huffed and walked away no sorry or anything !! When my meal eventually came out 20 minutes later she dropped it on my table and didn't say a word. When it came to paying we had more drinks on are bill than what we had ordered, Sian started arguing with us telling us we did have them drinks only after we spoke to the bar tender to confirm we had NOT had them did she take them off the bill, no apology or anything! Extremely rude manager/owner. would not return again what a shame 😔

We went to Broadoaks with our family for afternoon tea. We enjoyed a wonderful spread with a wide selection of savories and cakes served to us by a very attentive and jolly staff. We were lucky enough to sit out in the beautiful gardens and surrounding countryside. We will definitely return again.

New owners have basically allowed what were very high standards to slip. Man on reception was abrupt and unwelcoming. Bar staff didn’t have a clue what he was doing (I waited 25 minutes for him to make two very basic cocktails from the menu - he also dropped a glass, narrowly missing my head and didn’t even acknowledge that it had happened!). Dinner staff was a combination of one lovely woman run off her feet and a few lads wandering aimlessly around, one of whom was chewing on his finger the whole time. The ‘dining experience’ once offered no longer exists - table wasn’t even set, drinks menus weren’t offered and we were rushed through our courses. Breakfast is now a Premier Inn buffet style (what happened to the wonderful freshly cooked Cumbrian breakfast with lots of options?!). Rooms are clean and the food was lovely as usual (assuming the chef has stayed on), but the small attention to details that made this place feel really special have completely disappeared. I’ve been coming here since 2012, and the change in hospitality and basic customer service standards is alarming. After raising my points about the dramatic changes, and the poor customer service, I was offered 50% off a return visit. My experience was so dramatically different to all other visits though, that I won’t be returning. Not being offered a refund of any kind was indicative of how much the standards have dropped and how little the new owners value their reputation and returning customers. I replied to the offer with these comments and have received no reply. Such a shame that one of our favourite places has gone downhill - nothing felt special about our stay and I left feeling really disappointed.

Location great and gardens nice. The house itself was okay, we stayed in the Beech room, it was really small and the bathroom was tiny. As our room was on the front it was noisy and you could hear all the conversations going on inside and outside the house, a wedding party were in situ. We decided to eat in Windermere as the evening choices were limited to a set 2/3 course menu. Sleep okay bedding and pillows weren’t great. Breakfast again was okay. I love the history of the house etc, but that’s not enough to compensate for the above.

From first contact to our actual wedding day, I cannot fault the support we got and the investment from the whole team in ensuring our day went smoothly. Knew we were in good hands and were able to relax and enjoy. Mel, Dan and the team were on hand all day and in the background ensuring things ran well (including dealing with a difficult family member) and helped keep our day calm and enjoyable. Food was amazing, rooms and other spaces were perfect. Honestly, a perfect day!