Top ten places to eat and drink in the Lake District
The Lake District boasts some of the best bars, pubs and restaurants in England, and whether you want fine dining, pub grub or home-made scones and teacakes, you will find it all in this scenic region of England.It would be impossible to list all the pubs and restaurants in the lakes, but the following are ten of the best:
1.The George and Dragon, Clifton, Penrith Cumbria, CA10 2ER. Tel: 017688 65381. This pub and restaurant is situated on the beautiful Lowther Estate of Cumbria, and it serves fresh produce directly from the estate. This is the perfect place to visit if you want to experience a real taste of the Lake District with regional dishes and fresh seasonal produce.
2.Honister Slate Mine, Honister Pass, Borrowdale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5XN. Tel: 017687 77634. If you are visiting the Honister Slate Mine, take the time to enjoy a wide choice of local food and snacks at the Yew Tree Café-Bar. The Yew Tree Country Pub and Restaurant offers visitors the very best locally-sourced food and a choice of real ales.
3.Horse and Farrier Inn, Threlkeld, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4SQ. Tel: 017687 79688. Situated just 4 miles east of Keswick, the Horse and Farrier Inn boasts one of the most scenic locations in the region. Walkers can find plenty of routes starting from Threlkeld, and the Horse and Farrier offers a wide range of award-winning local food and real ales.
4.The Highwayman, Burrow, Nr Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire, LA6 2RJ. Tel: 01524 273338. If you enjoy historic inns and country pubs, you should visit the Highwayman. Situated in the beautiful 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. Offering local food and excellent ales, the Highwayman was formerly a coaching house.
5.The Sycamore Tree, 40/42 Bridge Street, Longtown, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA6 5UD. Tel: 01228 791919. Combining a day-time café with a night time bistro, The Sycamore Tree is popular with locals and visitors to the lakes. Specialising in excellent home-cooked Cumbrian food, this popular eaterie is a real find.
6.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 near Windermere that offers guests home-cooked food in beautiful surroundings.
7.Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 ORU. Tel: 01900 85219. Boasting one of the most beautiful settings in the lakes, the Kirkstile Inn is situated between Loweswater and Crummock Water. Serving excellent local food in a picturesque location, this old inn is well worth a visit.
8.The Punchbowl Inn, Crosthwaite, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8HR. Tel: 015395 68237. Voted ´pub of the year´ in 2009 by the Michelin Pub Guide, the Punchbowl offers a unique mix of old and new, and combines excellent food, sumptuous bedrooms, a wide choice of real ales and an extensive wine list.
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 inn offers excellent local food and a choice of real ales. If you visit on a sunny day, take advantage of the picturesque 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 usually take place on Friday and Saturday evenings.
