Tucked in the quiet hamlet of High Newton, Heft is where culinary magic happens in the most unassuming of settings. This 17th-century inn earned its Michelin star in 2023, and here’s the beauty of it: you choose your experience. If you’re excited about fine dining, book the restaurant for chef Kevin Tickle’s acclaimed tasting menu. But if you’re after equally delicious food at very reasonable prices, grab a table on the pub side—think homemade sausage rolls, baked cheese with sourdough, and small plates that showcase the same talent without the formality or the price tag.
Heft Inn
– Who is it suitable for? Older kids & up
– When should we go? Good any time of day
– How far is it from Saltfell? 16 Mins Drive | 5.5 Miles
– How much will it cost? ££
– Can I bring furry friends? Dogs on lead
– What’s the terrain like? Smooth paths for prams
– How do I get there? Google Maps | /// fantastic.desktops.balconies
For a broader view of the area, our Things to Do in Cumbria guide brings together beaches, walks, food spots and quieter corners across the county.
Tucked in the quiet hamlet of High Newton, Heft is where culinary magic happens in the most unassuming of settings. This 17th-century inn earned its Michelin star in 2023, and here’s the beauty of it: you choose your experience. If you’re excited about fine dining, book the restaurant for chef Kevin Tickle’s acclaimed tasting menu. But if you’re after equally delicious food at very reasonable prices, grab a table on the pub side—think homemade sausage rolls, baked cheese with sourdough, and small plates that showcase the same talent without the formality or the price tag.
Who is it suitable for?
Older kids & up
When should we go?
Good any time of day
How far is it from Saltfell?
16 Mins Drive | 5.5 Miles
How much will it cost?
££
Can I bring furry friends?
Dogs on lead
What’s the terrain like?
Smooth paths for prams
How do I get there?
Google Maps
/// fantastic.desktops.balconies
For a broader view of the area, our Things to Do in Cumbria guide brings together beaches, walks, food spots and quieter corners across the county.
A Village Worth Exploring
Heft sits just down the road from Yew Tree Barn, another destination that deserves your time. This treasure trove of antiques and crafts is home to Harry’s Café Bar, which earned Café of the Year at the 2022 Cumbria Food Awards—so you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to quality food in this tiny corner of Cumbria. After lunch, take a short walk to the High Newton reservoirs, where paths wind around the water with sweeping views across to the Coniston Fells, the Cartmel Valley, and Morecambe Bay. It’s the kind of gentle ramble that settles a good meal perfectly.
Close Enough to Make It Easy
From Saltfell, Heft is close enough to slot into your plans without fuss—whether that’s booking ahead for a celebratory tasting menu or simply turning up at the bar for an excellent pie and a local ale. Open Wednesday to Sunday, it’s become one of those places that locals guard jealously while visitors discover with delight. The food is extraordinary, the setting unpretentious, and the welcome genuine—everything you’d hope for from a village inn that just happens to have a Michelin star.
A Village Worth Exploring
Heft sits just down the road from Yew Tree Barn, another destination that deserves your time. This treasure trove of antiques and crafts is home to Harry’s Café Bar, which earned Café of the Year at the 2022 Cumbria Food Awards—so you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to quality food in this tiny corner of Cumbria. After lunch, take a short walk to the High Newton reservoirs, where paths wind around the water with sweeping views across to the Coniston Fells, the Cartmel Valley, and Morecambe Bay. It’s the kind of gentle ramble that settles a good meal perfectly.
Close Enough to Make It Easy
From Saltfell, Heft is close enough to slot into your plans without fuss—whether that’s booking ahead for a celebratory tasting menu or simply turning up at the bar for an excellent pie and a local ale. Open Wednesday to Sunday, it’s become one of those places that locals guard jealously while visitors discover with delight. The food is extraordinary, the setting unpretentious, and the welcome genuine—everything you’d hope for from a village inn that just happens to have a Michelin star.
More Food, Pubs & Places to Eat around Cumbria
Bakehouse Born & Bread
Bakehouse Born & Bread
21 mins drive • ££ • All ages • Dogs on lead
Mason’s Arms
Mason’s Arms
27 mins drive • ££ • All ages • Dogs on lead
Woolpack Inn
Woolpack Inn
74 mins drive • ££ • All ages • Dogs on lead