There’s a bend in the River Eden where the water runs past DryBeck Farm, and the meadows either side look almost too perfect to be real. But it is real.
DryBeck Farm is one of those rare places that doesn’t need a filter to look like a storybook brought to life – it’s just pure, authentic Cumbrian countryside doing what it does best. With lilting birdsong in the background, the kind of panoramic views you expect from a nature calendar and all the peace and quiet you could ask for, it’s no wonder couples keep finding their way here for weddings.
Natasha was the latest bride to get married here, and what a day it turned out to be. She and her partner had brought together 150 guests to mark the occasion, and with a crowd that big, Natasha wasn’t interested in cutting corners on the food side of things. She went looking, did her research and ended up calling in Hog Roast Cumbria.
As you can probably guess, we were genuinely excited to be part of this one, working closely with Natasha to shape a menu around what she’d been dreaming up, and unsurprisingly, that meant our signature hog roast took centre stage. It was the bit of the menu she’d been looking forward to most, and honestly, we get why. One whole hog goes a surprisingly long way, feeding a crowd of meat-eaters without the price tag you’d expect, which suited Natasha down to the ground. Knowing not every guest would share her enthusiasm for pork, though, she asked if we could round things out with a few extras, and we were more than happy to oblige.
Flexibility’s always been one of Hog Roast Cumbria’s strong points, so alongside the full hog roast experience – stuffing, crackling and all the trimmings – we served up marinated chicken thighs, butcher’s sausages, grilled veggie kebabs and BBQ jackfruit buns soaked in hickory sauce. Sides came in the form of fresh tomato and mozzarella salad, coleslaw, mixed salad and freshly made sweet potato and classic fries, giving every single guest something worth going back for.
Hog Roast Cumbria’s spread suited the relaxed, unhurried feel of the venue perfectly, letting guests eat at their own pace and soak up the surroundings without ever feeling rushed. Exactly the kind of day DryBeck Farm was made for and exactly what Natasha has been dreaming of.
