Top ten pubs and restaurants in the Lake District
The Lake District is home to some of the best pubs, cafés and restaurants in England, and whether you fancy a bar meal, a full restaurant menu or a pint of real ale, you will find plenty of places to choose from. Our top ten include:
1.The Punchbowl Inn, Crosthwaite, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8HR. Tel: 015395 68237. Voted ´pub of the year´ in 2009 by the Michelin Pub Guide, this authentic pub offers traditional décor with modern, comfortable interiors, and real fires in winter. The Punchbowl combines excellent food, sumptuous bedrooms, a wide choice of real ales and an extensive wine list.
2.Honister Slate Mine, Honister Pass, Borrowdale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5XN. Tel: 017687 77634. The Honister Slate Mine offers a great day trip for all the family, and it is worth taking the time to enjoy a wide choice of local food and snacks at the Yew Tree Café-Bar. Well known for its local ´cuisine´ the Yew Tree is the perfect place to stop for lunch.
3.Horse and Farrier Inn, Threlkeld, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4SQ. Tel: 017687 79688. Located just 4 miles from Keswick, the Horse and Farrier Inn lies in one of the most scenic locations of the Lake District. Walkers can find plenty of routes starting from Threlkeld, and the pub offers a wide range of award-winning local food and a choice of real ales.
4.The George and Dragon, Clifton, Penrith Cumbria, CA10 2ER. Tel: 017688 65381. This pub is situated on the beautiful Lowther Estate of Cumbria, and it serves fresh produce directly from the estate. This is the perfect pub to stop off at if you want to experience a real taste of the Lake District, with Cumbrian dishes and fresh seasonal produce on offer.
5.The Sycamore Tree, 40/42 Bridge Street, Longtown, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA6 5UD. Tel: 01228 791919. The Sycamore tree is a café by day and a bistro by night. The pub/restaurant is popular with locals and visitors to the lakes. Specialising in excellent home-cooked Cumbrian food, this popular eaterie is a real find.
6.The Highwayman, Burrow, Nr Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire, LA6 2RJ. Tel: 01524 273338. If you enjoy authentic old inns and country pubs, stop off at the Highwayman. Situated in the scenic village of Burrow, the 18th Century inn was completely renovated in 2007, and it is now an award-winning gastro pub with dark wood furniture, stone floors and every comfort imaginable. Serving local food and a range of real ales, the Highwayman was formerly a coaching house.
7.Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 ORU. Tel: 01900 85219. The Kirkstile enjoys one of the most beautiful settings in the lakes, and the pub is situated between Loweswater and Crummock Water. Serving excellent Cumbrian dishes in a picturesque location, this traditional inn is well worth a visit.
8.Watermill Inn and Brewery, Ings, near Windermere, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PY. Tel: 01539 821309. The Watermill Inn and Brewery is a traditional family-run free house close to Lake Windermere, which offers guests home-cooked food in beautiful surroundings.
9.The Yanwath Gate Inn, Yanwath, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2LF. Tel: 01768 862386. This historical inn was built in 1683, and its name derives from the days when it was a toll gate. The old inn offers excellent local food and a wide range of real ales. If you visit on a sunny day, take advantage of the beautiful gardens.
10.Zeffirellis, Milans Park, Compston Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9AD. Tel: 015394 33845. Zeffirellis offers live jazz music, a cinema, a café and an award-winning pizza restaurant. This is a Lake District eating experience with a difference, and visitors can enjoy informal dining in a unique setting. Live music events are free, and you can listen to some great groups on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Wherever you are staying in the Lake District, you won´t be far from some of the best pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés in the Lake District. Whether you want a bite to eat, a place to stay, or a refreshing pint of real ale, you will find everything within easy reach of Windermere, Coniston, Keswick, Penrith and the other main Lake District towns.
