THE Lake District has taken its seat at the top table of fine dining destinations in England.

After scooping its fourth Michelin star last month, the culinary hub has been named as one of the country’s most prestigious places to eat.

The latest accolade has put the Lake District among the top five in a league table of areas with the most Michelin-starred restaurants.

The Samling, in Windermere, successfully scored a star following its takeover last year by the prestigious Von Essen hotel group.

Its sister hotel, The Sharrow Bay, at Ullswater, also retained its star for the 14th year in a row.

Cartmel’s critically acclaimed eatery L’Enclume has held the annually reviewed accolade since 2005, and Windermere stalwart The Holbeck Ghyll has now had a star for 10 years.

Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants around the world that display an exceptional level of culinary expertise, with the judging criteria focusing on quality of ingredients, skill in preparing them and in combining flavours, the level of creativity, consistency of culinary standards and value for money.

Head chef of The Samling Nigel Mendham said: “It is such an honour to be awarded this prestigious accolade.

"This is an award for my team who have shown such dedication and passion.

“It’s also testimony to the fantastic abundance of local produce available in Cumbria.

"I’m looking forward to an exciting future at The Samling.”

Cumbria is leading the way across the region in the Michelin Star stakes, with Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside each only having one apiece.

The 2010 Michelin Guide to Great Britain and Ireland also reveals the county is tied in joint fourth place with Devon, with only Kent, Yorkshire and London faring better.

Chief executive of Cumbria Tourism Ian Stephens said: “To have such a concentration of food excellence in the area is a prestigious honour for Cumbria’s restaurant and hotel industry.

"It also means our visitors and residents have the luxury of choice for somewhere special to dine that is among the most select company in the country.”

The Lake District and Cumbria has also been declared as one of the best places for fine dining in the UK by gastronmic bible the Which? Good Food Guide 2010.

The foodie tome also features a list of the Top 50 Best Restau-rants in the UK, in which L’Enclume appears at number 13 and The Holbeck Ghyll at number 23.