New owners take on Michelin-starred Cottage in the Wood

The Michelin-starred Cottage in the Wood restaurant with rooms in Cumbria has been sold as its long-standing owners plan to retire.

Liam and Kath Berney took on the 17^th century coaching inn in 2002 and have been at the helm for 22 years.

The restaurant won a Michelin star in 2019, which it retained under chef Jack Bond earlier this year.

Jack and his wife Beth have now purchased the Cottage in the Wood and will run the mountain retreat as head chef and general manager / head sommelier respectively.

Originally from Southport, Jack has worked in restaurants including three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park in New York and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London.

Beth graduated from Imperial College London with a Physics degree before joining Tredwells in London in 2015. She became general manager in 2020 and oversaw the opening of Chantelle Nicholson’s Apricity in Mayfair in 2022.

The pair said they have “exciting plans” for the future of the restaurant, which will be revealed soon.

Jack and Beth said: “We are hugely excited to be taking over ownership of the Cottage in the Wood. It’s been a pleasure to work alongside Liam and Kath over the last few months as they’ve helped us settle in and gain invaluable insight into the business that they established in 2002.

"There’s no doubt that they’ve played a significant part in helping to put this corner of the Lake District on the map and that’s something that we will both continue to do.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming guests as we embark on this new chapter in the Cottage in the Wood’s future."