Spring has arrived at West Lodge Park, and with it comes a fresh new menu that feels like a breath of warm air after a long winter. The Mary Beale Restaurant and The Terrace Bar have launched their Spring offering, and it’s full of the kind of dishes that make you want to slow down, enjoy our the moment, and enjoy the beauty of spring at our beauty hotel, surrounded by 35 acres of landscaped gardens
The menu opens with small bites that are ideal for easing into a meal or enjoying with a drink on the terrace. Spiced hummus with pitta, smoked mackerel tacos… simple things done well, with plenty of flavour. Even the Padron peppers get a spring makeover with smoked sea salt and the option to add feta and sriracha cream.
Starters lean into fresh, bright flavours. The home‑cured salmon gravadlax with avocado and lime is a standout, while the roasted heritage carrots with spiced hummus and caramelised walnuts bring a lovely mix of colour and texture. If you’re after something comforting, the French onion soup with its golden Parmesan crouton is still very much a favourite.
Seafood lovers are well looked after. The salmon and smoked haddock fishcake topped with a poached egg and hollandaise is the kind of dish that feels like a hug, while the grilled Torbay sole with samphire and caper butter is beautifully simple and very spring appropriate.
The mains offer a balance of comfort and creativity. There’s a pan‑roast lamb rump with champ mash and grilled asparagus that feels like the season on a plate, alongside lighter options like the Lincolnshire wild mushroom pithivier or the pea and shallot risotto with vegan cheese sauce. And yes, the classic sausage and mash remains, because some dishes earn their place permanently.
If you’re in the mood for something substantial, the grill section delivers. The 28‑day aged steaks come with chunky chips and your choice of sauce, and the Beales cheeseburger is as good as ever. Vegetarians aren’t left out either, with a grilled halloumi and crushed avocado burger that’s every bit as satisfying.
Desserts are exactly what you want them to be – comforting, colourful and a little bit nostalgic. Sticky toffee pudding, baked lemon tart, raspberry bavarois, burnt orange custard… plus a selection of Jude’s ice creams and sorbets for those who prefer something lighter.
And of course, it wouldn’t be West Lodge Park without Afternoon Tea. The Spring version includes smoked salmon, chicken and tarragon, egg and cress, warm scones, clotted cream, strawberry preserve and a selection of patisserie that changes with the season. It’s still one of the loveliest ways to spend an afternoon in the hotel’s grounds.
Sunday Lunch also continues to be a highlight, carved meats, Yorkshire puddings, all the trimmings, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere that makes you want to stay for just one more coffee.
The Spring Menu is now being served, and it’s well worth a visit, whether you’re celebrating something special or simply fancy a good meal in beautiful surroundings. West Lodge Park has always been about quality, sophistication and a sense of occasion, and this menu fits that perfectly.