IN THE AREA

With so much beauty and hospitality, it isn’t hard to see why the Lake District remains the perfect place to explore and enjoy. But where do you start when planning your time here?

Whether you’re visiting the Lakes for a long weekend or planning a more substantial trip, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you’ve even begun. So we’ve come up with a guide to the best places to eat, the best walks in the area and some fun things to do, to give you a bit of a head start.

We’d strongly recommend booking restaurants and pubs in advance, as most places insist on bookings due to Covid regulations.

All

Eat + Drink

See + Do

hare and hounds Lake District

Hare & Hounds at Bowland Bridge

A newly renovated inn serving a selection of delicious food using local, seasonal ingredients. Recently featured in The Times newspaper.

the brown horse inn

The Brown Horse Inn

Voted Pub Chef of the Year 2020, this traditional Lakeland pub offers great food, drinks and a play area for kids.

windermere Lake District cruises

Windermere Lake Cruises

Cruises from Bowness to Lakeside and Ambleside.

Levens hall garden

Levens Hall

Near Kendal, is a magnificent Elizabethan mansion built around a 13th Century pele tower, which was expanded and rebuilt towards the end of the 16th Century. Beautiful Topiary gardens and cafe.

Lakeroad Kitchen Lake District

Lake Road Kitchen

Created by one of the chefs from Noma, this multi-award winning restaurant in Ambleside offers 5, 8 and 12 course tasting menus.

lakeland arts

Blackwell

One of the best Arts and Crafts houses in the country. Also has a cafe.

home ground coffee shop window

Homeground Cafe

Best for breakfast and lunch. They don't take bookings so go early or late for lunch to avoid queues.

henpeck restaurant

Henrock

Informally elegant restaurant by Simon Rogan located in the scenic grounds of Linthwaite House.

Hawkshead brewery beer

Hawkshead Brewery

Craft beer experience and sharing platter food in Staveley.

Greenlands farm entrance

Greenlands Farm

Open farm and soft play for kids, great butchers and farm shop.

chesters on the river

Chesters by the River

A gorgeous riverside vegetarian cafe, shop and bakery in Ambleside. Lovely walks from the door of the restaurant.

hill top farm

Beatrix Potter Hill Top

Beatrix Potter's 17th-century farmhouse, a time-capsule of her life, near Hawkshead.

lake view garden bar in the area

Lake View Garden Bar

Light meals and al fresco drinks, located facing the lake shore and now features their new pop up Tiki Bar.

mason arms breakfast

Masons Arms

A traditional country pub with great views.

Beatrix potter petter rabbit in the area

The World of Beatrix Potter

A vibrant family experience in Bowness, a short walk from The White House.

In the area gummers how walk

Gummer's How

Minimum effort walk for maximum view reward. Takes about 20 minutes to walk up and offers views all the way down Lake Windermere.

tarn how's in the area

Tarn Hows

Near to Chesters by the River in Ambleside, this approx 45 minute walk around a beautiful tarn is nice and flat with stunning views.

In the area orrest head walk

Orrest Head

Approx 90 minute walk situated just outside of Windermere - fantastic views.

In the area brant fell walk

Brant Fell

Approx 90 minute walk located above Bowness - lovely views.