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The Inn at Castledawson

Built around the 200 year old Castledawson House, Simon Toye and Kathy Tully’s latter day inn is a delightful place - and, thanks to Simon’s excellent cooking and their ‘nothing is too much trouble’ policy, a visit here sure to be memorable and relaxed.

The Inn is most attractive, with a modern bar where smart informal dining is offered at neat round darkwood tables with cream leather armchairs and banquettes and, beyond it, a lovely tiered light-filled restaurant with a huge arched window looks over the garden to the River Moyola and has doors leading out to a decked balcony.

The deceptively simple restaurant menu offers seven or eight choices on each course and Simon’s philosophy to use only locally sourced organic produce certainly pays off, as food is beautifully cooked and simply presented; the slow cooked crispy pork belly with cauliflower puree & cider soaked raisins, for example, oozes with flavour and is a favourite with the many returning guests.

Desserts lean towards the traditional, typically a nice baked cheesecake with toasted pecans and maple syrup.

A light bite menu, which always features a roast of the day, is available in the bar during lunch service.

This restaurant delivers what it promises good fresh food at reasonable prices served by friendly efficient staff.

And it is a true inn, offering food, drink and a (very relaxing) place to lay your head: there are twelve chic contemporary bedrooms with river or courtyard views, including a suite with its own riverside balcony.

With a spa next door, and golf, equestrian and fishing all nearby, this is a very appealing place for a short break.

Small conferences/banqueting (90/80); secretarial services, video conferencing. Rooms 12 (6 shower only, 6 ground floor, all no smoking, 2 disabled); children welcome (under 5s free in parents' room, cot available free of charge); wheelchair accessible. B&B £39.50pps, ss about £10. Restaurant Seats 80 (+20 outside). L & D daily 12-2.30 & 5-9.30pm. House wine about £11.95. Establishment closed 12 Jul. MasterCard, Visa, Switch.

Directions:

On main street of Castledawson, on the main Belfast-Derry road (M2-M22-A6).