L'Enclume, a Lake District eatery, has earned the top spot in the annual Harden's Top 100 Best UK Restaurants diners’ poll.

Owned by veteran chef Simon Rogan, Cartmel's L'Enclume has featured in the respected top 100 since the list's inception in 2011.

Yet, the coveted top spot is a first for the prestigious restaurant.

Diners delivering feedback lauded the culinary outpost as offering "a completely faultless experience", praising the 17-course meal that is a "symphony of beautifully orchestrated food".

The restaurant is committed to using the finest local produce, with much sourced from Simon's 'Our Farm', situated on the surrounding Cumbrian hillside.

Peter Harden, co-founder of Harden's restaurants guide, said: "L’Enclume has always been consistent in its top quality offering and it was wonderful to hear the recent news that Paul Burgalières, who has been a key figure in L'Enclume’s evolution over the past six years, has now been appointed Executive Chef.

"Coming in at £300 plus, it’s certainly one of the higher priced restaurants in our listings.

"But we see none of the resistance from diners with regards to paying those prices that we’ve seen at other top establishments. Those who’ve made the pilgrimage think it’s money very well spent.”

L’Enclume's Simon Rogan said he and his team were 'honoured' to have been named as number one.

He said: “To have been featured in Harden’s Top 100 every year since its inception in 2011 is an amazing achievement and being awarded the top spot for the 2024 edition is a testament to the amazing year we’ve had.”

Newly appointed Executive Chef, Paul Burgalières, endorsed Mr Rogan's joy.

He said: “I am very proud of everything we have achieved at L’Enclume over the past couple of years. To take the position of Executive Chef has been a great honour, and I am excited that our work at the restaurant has achieved such a high level of recognition.”

The Harden's guide, now in its 33rd edition, is constructed from the judgement of normal diners as opposed to professional inspectors, totalling 30,000 reports from a 2,500 diner survey.

The comprehensive guide includes restaurants across a diverse spectrum, from street food vendors to the nation’s premier dining rooms.

Two other Cumbrian establishments were also named in the Harden's list.

Described as "luscious", The Forest Side in Grasmere was lauded for its "exemplary service" and "faultless cuisine", earning the 32nd spot.

Allium at Askham Hall in Penrith, listed in 86th place, is housed in a historic Grade I listed mansion with roots dating back to the 1200s.

It is said to boast "the most incredible wine list".