Devonshire Arms

19th and 20th July
To Bolton Abbey to the country house hotel that is The Devonshire Arms. A strange choice for a business meeting, but at least no one will bunk off. The place is full of walkers of a certain age, and a lot of them seem to have brought their dogs with them. If you don't like dogs, then this place is not for you. The hotel has a Michelin starred restaurant (which I did not really get chance to try) and lots of rosettes.
Nice touch is fresh milk available in rooms for coffee.
Dinner in private dining was a pate with a mustard crust, then lamb followed by a panacotta.

The quality of food was excellent, and adequately hot. The appearance is clearly of paramount importance to the chefs, as we discovered at breakfast, and when I ordered scrambled eggs, sausage and mushroom, this is what arrived:

The toast was my addition. Full English Breakfast (FEB) is a pleasure, because I don't do it at home. The best FEB I have had at a hotel in recent times was at the Langham in London, and the best breakfast ever was at the Westin Hotel in Taipei.
See my movie of the Taipei breakfast on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcPg1aVYYSo&feature=g-upl
Working lunch was a buffet:

What you cannot see is the excellent beef stroganoff.
So, excellent quality food throughout with high attention to presentation. If you are in the area (unlikely) it is definitely worth a visit, or if you want a small business meeting this is an unusual venue if you don't mind the dogs.