If the view is to be enjoyed while eating and drinking, this has to be one of the most picturesque in Nottinghamshire.
The sky is blue, the sun is shining and the open-air terrace offers a view of fountains and picturesque grounds at Lakeside, the former pumping station on the A60 near Arnold.
The site has been closed for a few years, but it’s returning in all of its former glory – starting with the outdoor seating area for eating and drinking.
The lake terrace has been fully booked since it opened last week and offers space for 300 people during the day.
And if you said “it’s like being on vacation” you wouldn’t be the first.
View over the lake to the terrace on the lake
Here, diners can enjoy al fresco dining while sipping a cocktail as the sun goes down under the glow of garland lights.
Amy Harrad, who has taken over the website with business partner Richard Berridge, said, “It was great to see everyone and we had such positive customer feedback. We were very busy, fully booked every day and I think people really appreciated it to get out of somewhere.
“We have such a large outside area. We made 300 blankets on the terrace a day and we have additional picnic benches for walk-ins. Over the weekend the whole area was full. On Saturday we had a saxophonist and we hope to have it every weekend Live entertainment.
“We’re trying to make it a really family-friendly place. We don’t want people to think they can’t come here because it’s exclusive. That’s why we have a good variety of food.”
The meal is currently served from 12 noon to 7.30 pm from a menu that gives a foretaste of what may be available in the listed building.
Tapas lovers can try crispy soft shell crabs, venison carpaccio, beef taquitos, spiced arancini, and sweet potato tempura, just some of the flavors in the world.
For something more classic, choose from a lakeside burger with brioche buns, fish and chips, and beef brisket cake. Main courses include salmon, cod, and crispy zucchini pieces.
The menu also includes steak, salads, pasta and sushi. Another option is afternoon tea with traditional finger sandwiches, scones and cakes, or with a sushi touch, the one with smoked salmon and avocado rolls, cucumber and yuzu cream rolls, matcha green tea sponge, miso fudge cake and Lotus root cake is decorated. Of course there has to be scones with jam and cream with the Japanese-inspired tea.
Kids have their own menu with a mini burger, ham egg and fries, and 4 ounce rump steak and pizza.
Drinks are served all day until the bar closes at 11pm. Wine is available in bottles or glasses, along with a selection of beers, ciders, pimms, sangria and spirits, including more than 30 different gins.
Imagine warm summer evenings with a cocktail in hand – or next to one of the heaters and wrapped up warm for the time being.
Choose from the vintage section with Mint Julep or Berry Blazer – drinks from the 18th and 19th centuries.
For something new, try one of the new Lakeside Originals, including the signature cocktail with gin, aperol and notes of strawberry and rhubarb. The tempting Secrets and Sins collections all come with extra soda or drink your dessert with Tintirintimint (try saying that after a few), a liquid version of an after eight.
Eliza Peake, member of the Lakeside Events Team
Just as indulgent, but non-alcoholic, are ‘Creative Milkshakes’ in five flavors, including Cookies and Cream and Peanut Butter Brownie.
All of this can be enjoyed on the spacious terrace, which has been renovated and features an outdoor bar and BBQ area, a restored island and fountain, and koi fish and turtles swimming around the water.
The overgrown grounds have been remodeled with neatly planted shrubs by Amy’s husband Shaun and a landscaping team, while new steps with railings that match the lake’s original barrier lead up the grassy bank to a small wooden hut that is slated to become Santa’s Grotto in December .
Amy and Richard, with a background in financial services, took on the location as a new challenge – originally with the intention of making it a special wedding venue.
But after Covid, they decided to expand the appeal to make it a destination and a multi-purpose location.
Now that the property has been purchased for £ 1.5m, a £ 7m redevelopment is in full swing. The interior has been completely redesigned to create new restaurants. the family-friendly Lakeside Bar and Restaurant and Hawksley’s, a worldwide tapas bar on the mezzanine, named after the engineer Thomas Hawksley who designed the original pumping station in 1871.
Seats by the water and a fountain on the lakeshore
An upscale restaurant is also planned on the second mezzanine floor.
“A lot of areas have been covered, original brickwork and arches have been tiled or plastered. So we tried to restore some of the original features and mix the old and the new to create a more contemporary feel,” said Amy.
“The tower has also been restored. When we bought it, it was cordoned off and not used at all. We have cleared everything and the stairwells and will turn this into a kind of viewing gallery.
“The third floor will be a function room for parties and smaller events.”
The venue isn’t hosting weddings until January 2022, but it has received a lot of inquiries so far. In addition to the indoor ceremony, couples can also get married outside under a decorative pagoda.
Amy added, “Like everyone else, when we started hearing about Covid we thought it was going to be one of those things that would pass over and we weren’t too worried at first, but obviously we were wondering as things got more serious and limited in how it would affect us.
“Fortunately, the construction industry was able to keep going, but it was more about delivering items that were being held up. We were grateful that we weren’t a venue that had to be open and closed all year round.”
The terrace is open from 11 a.m. You can dine from 12 noon to 7.30 p.m. and the bar until 11 p.m. This will change when the restrictions are removed. Tables can be booked, but there is space for walk-ins at the picnic benches.