Pubs with rooms are fast becoming the most ‘go-to places’ in the hospitality sector, and top of the tree is The Toll House Inn in Lancaster.

Newly renovated, it has just undergone a £600,000 transformation which has turned this historic building into a cosy four-star inn.

The Toll House Inn has come a long way since its early days when it was the site of the Corporation Toll House, which collected levies from traders on their way to market.

Sitting in the charming and historic centre of Lancaster is easy to get to, as it’s only a short distance from the motorway, and there’s parking nearby at the Auction Mart Car Park just across the junction from the inn.

Step through the heavy oak doors and you will be pleasantly surprised and amazed by the interior.

The renovation has been sympathetically designed around its high ceilings and stained glass windows – this is clearly a restoration that has taken a great deal of thought to retain its original features and ambience.

We checked in at the bar, and it could not have been more seamless or more welcoming. I loved the fact we were given a flask of water and another flask of milk for our morning tea – none of those hateful plastic tubes of milk for guests staying here.

Making our way to one of the 28 rooms, we could literally feel the history of the building all around us.

Our room was spacious and welcoming. It had plenty of hanging space, drawers and space for our laptops and all the usual high-tech devices one has come to expect in today’s modern hotel rooms.The bed was so comfortable with its crisp cotton sheets, and we loved the personal touch of some homemade biscuits on our hospitality tray.

After a busy day and a long hot drive, we decided to indulge ourselves in some liquid refreshment and made our way down to the bar.

The bar itself is a piece of design perfection with timber and verdigris copper finishes. The area itself is blessed with cosy nooks made for guests to settle into with a pint or their favourite tipple. The classic wall panelling and eclectic artwork are subtle but reflect the inn’s Lancashire roots.

Before we got too relaxed and comfortable, it was time to shower and change, ready to savour the gastronomic delights of one of the city’s only AA Rosette-awarded restaurants.

The restaurant was very busy for a weekday, but the tables are so expertly choreographed they still allow space and privacy for diners.

My partner chose from the general menu, whilst I was tempted by the seasonal specials menu offerings.

This menu celebrates the best of the season and changes throughout the year. It’s a fresh, local, top-quality product from local suppliers and home-cooked from scratch, which is obvious from the first forkful.

New potato terrine

Tempura prawns

I was tempted by the New Potato Terrine served with pickled shallots, watercress emulsion and Soubise – a French onion sauce made from onions, butter and cream.

The potato was thinly sliced and browned on top, and never has the humble potato tasted so delicious, whilst the Soubise was smooth, with the pickled shallots adding a dash of flavour.

My partner opted for the tempura king prawns with blackened romesco sauce and spring onion. The prawns were succulent and tasty in a crispy batter. But it was the romesco sauce that set the dish apart. This sauce, with its creamy, tangy, slightly smoky flavour with nutty, garlic and sweet notes, is a sauce meant to be eaten with fish.

Pan fried cod

Sirloin Steak

For the main course, the pan-fried cod really intrigued me. It was served with sauteed potatoes, corn puree, sweetcorn salsa, samphire and popcorn – quite an assembly of tastes. It looked as good as it tasted. The fish was moist and cooked to perfection, and the dish was presented so beautifully I hardly wanted to disturb such a work of art.

My partner's sirloin steak arrived cooked exactly as he had asked it to be, and it was tender and full of flavour. The accompanying roasted vine tomatoes, mushrooms, dressed rocket and thick-cut chips all added to the veritable steak feast.

After a ‘rest’ we decided to order desserts. I opted for the poached apricot, which came with almond sponge, tonka bean ice cream and flaked almonds. The tangy flavour of the apricots was paired well with the almond sponge and tonka bean ice cream.

My partner chose three scoops of delicious strawberry ice cream that really did taste homemade and was exceptionally creamy.

After coffee we decided to sit in the comfortable and private outside seating area, which is covered and lit with romantic twinkling fairy lights. It’s the perfect place to sit whatever time of year, as it has heaters and blankets when the nights get chilly.

It’s also great for morning coffee, as we found out the next morning. After some after-dinner drinks and the chimes of midnight, we decided to retire before the next morning, enjoying a great home-cooked breakfast from a large choice menu.

The Toll House Inn is dog friendly, and I loved the special dog barrel in the private outside area plus blankets perfect for pooches. They are also welcome at the bar and in some rooms overnight and can even be treated to their own comfy bed and a pack of goodies as part of their Thwaites ‘Waggy Tails’ welcome package.

It was soon time to bid farewell to The Toll House Inn, but not before exploring Lancaster Castle and having a walk round Williamson Memorial Park – both well worth a visit.

Williamson Memorial Park

Lancaster Castle

The Toll House Inn, Penny Street,
Lancaster, LA1 1XT
Phone – 01524 5999900
Email: relax@tollhouseinnlancaster.co.uk