AS A fervent foodie, I would literally risk my life for the promise of an outstanding meal.

I can say this because that is exactly what I did when I embarked on snow-covered roads – complete with freezing fog - in my shaky VW Polo to Hipping Hall, which lies a few miles out of Kirkby Lonsdale at Cowan Bridge.

Tucked away behind towering trees, this 17th Century house turned stylish restaurant with rooms is a well-hidden gastronomic gem that is quietly doing wonderful things with food.

After warming up with an aperitif and canapés (olives, roasted nuts, smoked salmon, chorizo and quail eggs) in the lounge, my good friend and I took our seat at a linen-laid table in the charming dining room beside a glowing log fire.

We opted for the nine-course gourmand menu with the matching wine package (£85pp), which featured a carefully selected array of world wines to accompany each dish.

A velvety veloute of Jerusalem artichoke began proceedings with a serving of homemade bread, before we devoured delicately cooked hand-dived scallops with a rich roast cauliflower puree.

The following course, and the star of the show for me, was a melt-in-the-mouth chunk of belly pork paired perfectly with pieces of succulent langoustine.

A roasted fillet of sweet halibut arrived next, served on a creamy seafood chowder bursting with delicate flavours.

An offering of beautifully tender slices of Holker Hall venison were then delivered alongside earthy vegetables and an intense jus that echoed the meat’s gamey tones.

Sweet tooth satisfaction came with a pre-dessert of roasted plums with a delicious rice pudding ice cream, which preceded a tasty modern twist on a rhubarb and custard dessert.

Luckily, we had just enough room to enjoy the selection of fine cheeses from across the globe and the home-made petit fours that came with our coffees to round off the feast.

The stunning surroundings of Hipping Hall, together with its inspiring showcase of local produce and skilfully executed food, certainly made this a top dining destination worth taking a risk for.