PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

The Lake District has an huge selection of cafes, pubs and restaurants. Here (in no particular order) is a roundup of my favourites. If you've had a particularly good experience in a place that's not on this list let me know and I'll add it below.

Lunch, coffee & cake on the doorstep: Cafe Ambio

Part of the Lakeland Motor Museum, Cafe Ambio has a great reputation amongst locals and visitors. It has lovely views over the river and you don't need a museum ticket to eat there. Best of all, it's just a 10 minute walk away. Highly recommended.

Tel: 01539 530400 - Sat nav: LA12 8TA (walking is quickest)

Great for breakfast: Haverthwaite Steam Railway Cafe

From April to October the cafe at the Haverthwaite Steam Railway does a full English breakfast plus gallons of tea and coffee from 9am, with light lunches through the day. The cafe is an easy stroll away, so you're never more than a 10 minute walk from cake!

Tel: 01539 531594 - Sat nav: LA12 8AL (walking is quickest)

The closest pub: The Angler's Arms, Haverthwaite

A straightforward, no-nonsense pub with great Tripadvisor reviews serving a good choice of food and drink in a welcoming atmosphere. There are posher pubs on this list, but The Angler's is definitely worth visiting. It's just a 15 minute walk away too, so it's the closest!

Tel: 01539 262023 - Sat nav: LA12 8AJ (walking is quickest)

COMING SOON: Secret Gelato in Ambleside

Brand new and hidden away in a quiet courtyard in Ambleside, Secret Gelato is a place to indulge your senses. Run by the fabulous Lucy Nicholson and bursting with flavour, this tiny shop is the place to go if you love authentic, quality gelato. Tell Lucy I sent you!

Opening June 2025 - I'll update this entry when it's up & running.

A great all-rounder: The Farmers, Ulverston

This award-winning pub and wine bar in the centre of Ulverston opens at 9am for breakfast and stays open through the day for lunch and dinner. Enjoy the home-made and locally sourced food on the patio in summer, or by a log fire in winter.

Tel: 01229 584469 - Satnav: LA12 7BA

Best for cake: Chester's by the River, Skelwith Bridge

Chester's cafe is open during the day for lunch, or treat yourself to a coffee and one of their superb home-made cakes. Sit out on the deck by the river or inside next to the shop which sells top-quality gifts with a Lake District theme. NB - they close at 4pm!

Tel: 015394 34771 - Sat nav: LA22 9NJ.

Close by and lots of choice: The Swan, Newby Bridge

Less than two miles upstream from the Ironworks Building, The Swan is a historic riverside hotel and restaurant with a chic, modern twist. Choose from three dining options: brasserie, cafe and pub. They open for breakfast too.

Tel: 01539 531681 - Satnav: LA12 8NB

Best for whole foods: Zeffirellis, Ambleside

Zeffirellis is an Ambleside institution. The vegetarian pizza, pasta and salads menu with daily specials, all freshly prepared, is served in a lively, contemporary atmosphere. During the day the cafe serves coffees, light lunches and cake.

Tel: 015394 33845 - Satnav: LA22 9AD

Wonderful location: Lanty Slee's Bar, Elterwater

A tapas style menu and delicious sharing plates are served through the day in this beautifully converted wayside chapel above the hamlet of Elterwater. Eat outside in the summer months for amazing views of the Langdales.

Tel: 015394 82589 - Satnav: LA22 9JB

Legendary pub: The Drunken Duck, near Ambleside

The Drunken Duck is a classic Lakeland pub with whitewashed walls, stripped wooden floors, top quality food and a story behind its name! It also has an enviable location with breathtaking views of the surrounding fells and Ambleside in the distance.

Tel: 015394 36347 - Satnav: LA22 0NG

Great gastro pub: The Black Labrador, Underbarrow

A superb pub with great food and a lovely terrace garden, this 16th century inn has the perfect countryside setting. On top of that there’s real ale, a long wine list, a good selection of malts and the occasional black labrador!

Tel: 01539 568234 - Satnav: LA8 8HQ

Another great gastro pub: The Manor House, Oxen Park

Here you’ll find home cooked food, local ales, fine wines and freshly ground coffee in a recently renovated and cosy environment. Not the cheapest on this list, but certainly not the most expensive, the Manor House is a Lakeland pub that really is worth a visit.

Tel: 01229 861345 - Satnav: LA12 8HG