The Lake District is home to some of the UK’s must-see natural attractions, best walks and, of course, most welcoming pubs with irresistible aromas. An amazing place to fill the heart and soul with wonder before filling the stomach with divine fare, it beckons for the most spellbinding escapes.
Lose yourself to the romance of this stunning National Park and turn your attention to some of the best pubs in the Lake District to refuel afterwards. To get you started, we’ve picked out some of our favourites for you to look forward to, renowned for their quality food, welcoming ambience, and beautiful locations throughout the Lakes.
Drunken Duck, Barngates
Set within a secluded pocket of greenery in Barngates near Ambleside is The Drunken Duck. Recommended by the Michelin Guide, this picture-perfect gastropub combines its stunning location, reaching fell views, and first-class menus to create an unmissable culinary attraction. Depending on what you are dreaming of, you can opt for either a more formal dining experience in the main restaurant and savour the delights of the pub’s fixed two or three course menus. Or, for something a little more relaxed, take a pew in the bar and choose from the pub’s à la carte menu of local, seasonal meals to treat your tastebuds.
The Mortal Man, Troutbeck
One of the best places to visit in the Lake District, the inky majesty of Lake Windermere calls to locals and visitors alike for its incredible beauty. Making a trip to this stunning haven even more tempting is the prospect of a delicious meal at the seventeenth century Mortal Man. Found less than three miles from the shores of Windermere in the village of Troutbeck, The Mortal Man is a popular pub that has achieved a well-earned reputation as one of the best dog-friendly pubs in the Lake District. Take a seat within the charming bar beneath exposed beams and characterfully stooped ceilings or head outside into the large beer garden to soak up the sunshine and views. From its menu of homespun favourites, you can expect traditional British and continental-inspired cuisine served alongside daily specials.
Masons Arms, Grange-over-Sands
Surrounded by idyllic countryside in the southern reaches of the Lake District National Park, The Masons Arms pub at Strawberry Bank close to Cartmel Fell beckons for sweet moments and savoury feasts. On the menu, Cumberland classics sit alongside feel-good favourites, including steak and ale pie with grass-fed beef, grilled lamb tacos with fresh mint dressing, and creamy goats cheese salad with golden roasted baby beetroot. Work up an appetite in the country air along one of the dreamy walks nearby, or go straight over to secure your table and look forward to fine flavours and friendly service in this Lake District favourite.
Hole in t’ Wall, Bowness
Follow the winding ribbons of bracken-lined country roads to arrive at the Hole in t’ Wall pub in Bowness-on-Windermere. Whether you would like somewhere to sit back with a hearty plate of goodness after a long walk in the fells or are simply looking for an atmospheric hub in which to sip a drink and chat the hours away, this Lakeland pub proposes a welcome venue. Head over to the bar and choose your favourite tipple from the well-stocked collection of everything from ruby glasses of red to hoppy real ales to refreshing soft drinks. Or, for the full experience, peruse the menu and treat yourself to something tasty to refuel and revive in style.
Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater
For somewhere welcoming to eat and drink in the Lake District, look no further than Kirkstile Inn. Sandwiched between Loweswater and Crummock Water in the northwestern Lake District, it is ideally placed for light lunches and romantic evening dinners and enjoys a deserved reputation for unfussy, wholesome meals. Serious about great food, the kitchen’s team, led by Head Chef Paul Williamson, serve up home-cooked creations crafted with local produce wherever possible. During select months of the year, the pub is also a sought-after destination for its Sunday roasts, which can be enjoyed with a choice of hot and cold drinks including award-winning local ales.
Punch Bowl Inn, Crosthwaite
Recognised by the Michelin Guide and the AA, the award-winning Punch Bowl gastropub in Crosthwaite is one of the best pubs in the Lake District. Tucked in the hills above Windermere in the heart of the Lyth Valley, it paints a perfect scene for dreamy dining amongst untold natural beauty. Venture over after walks in craggy fells or alongside glistening lakes and choose a table, either outside in the orchard-view garden or inside next to a crackling fire. With the menus promising heavenly repasts composed of locally produced and procured ingredients, you are sure to find something just right to pique your interest.
Cuckoo Brow Inn, Far Sawrey
Hugged on either side by the magical lakes of Esthwaite Water and Windermere, The Cuckoo Brow Inn is a hidden gem just perfect for hungry walkers and windswept wanderers. Greeting visitors with an attractive façade with Tudor detailing and white-washed walls clung with flowering creepers, it makes for a truly inviting scene. Step inside and direct yourself to the wood-topped bar to enjoy a drink of something special, before finding your perfect table. Keeping it fresh, weekly à la carte menus are complemented by Sunday lunch menus and regularly updated specials so that there is always something tempting to satiate your appetite.
The Black Bull Inn, Coniston
One of the Lake District’s top attractions where spellbinding adventures await in the form of everything from watersports to waterfalls, Coniston Water is a dream destination. Walk and play the hours away by the water, before making tracks over to The Black Bull Inn for soothing replenishment. A four hundred year old coaching inn presiding in the middle of the village, this traditional, family-run pub sits at the foot of the Old Man mountain and provides a welcome retreat for all with its attractive bar and gorgeous vistas. It is even supplied by its own microbrewery, Coniston Brewery. Book a table or wander in for a drink and light bites to while away slow, contented evenings.
George and Dragon, Askham
Located alongside Allium, one of the best restaurants in Penrith, the George and Dragon pub resides in the grounds of Askham Hall. Fostering a farm-to-fork approach to its food, the pub harnesses a sustainable ethos and curates its menu with ingredients reared, foraged and grown within its grounds wherever possible. Under the expert direction of Head Chef Gareth Webster, the kitchen team delivers the finest quality, seasonal dishes, many of which are designed to be shared with family and friends. Settle down in the restaurant or the dog-friendly bar, or wander out to the suntrap courtyard, and anticipate delectable dishes served to you by friendly staff.
The Wild Boar, Windermere
Whether you can’t wait to hunker down by a roaring log fire in winter or luxuriate in golden alfresco moments in summer, The Wild Boar is the place to be. Found in Mitchelland between Bowness-on-Windermere and Kendal, it takes pride of place within one of the most beautiful places in the Lake District. Venture over and make the most of its Best of British menus and choose from light lunches, afternoon teas and decadent dinners in the bar and lounge, or grill and smokehouse. To add to the experience, you can also sip some of the pub’s own brewhouse creations, including a variety of ales.
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