6 charming Lake District restaurants

A relaxing camping holiday is the perfect time to treat yourself to a quality meal. If you’re looking for great food, Lake District restaurants offer some truly delicious dining experiences. We’ve listed six charming restaurant suggestions to visit while exploring the national park.

1. The Watermill

Located in Ings village near Windermere, the Watermill is a lovely old stone building that prides itself on serving traditional, quality pub food that is locally grown and produced. It has a reputation for serving fantastic ales from 16 traditional hand pumps to give you the best tasting beer around! The pub has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere where both children and dogs are welcome. There is an impressive range of lunch and dinner meals to choose from including a Chef’s Special board which changes daily. Look out for the Special Beef and ‘Watermill’s own Collie Wobbles’ Ale Pie for a delightful treat! Prices for dinners range from £8 to £12 per person and there’s a tasty range of desserts too. Located on the side of a peaceful road, the Watermill is easily reachable by foot, bike or car and has a number of walking routes and cycle paths. Be sure to visit the nearby villages of Ambleside, Grasmere and Hawkshead with plenty of campsites around.

2. Gillam’s

Gillam’s is a traditional tea room set in the historic market town of Ulverston. Here, you can enjoy a wonderful selection of teas and coffees along with a delicious slice of homemade cake. There are over 30 types of loose tea, including Gilliam’s own unique tea blends. Visitors can enjoy sitting in the sunny patio garden at the back or inside where the framed old newspaper clippings and quirky tables made from old sewing machines really add charm to this little gem. Passionate about locally sourced organic ingredients, the tearoom offers vegetarian food that everyone will love. Choose from the specials board for some delicious Cumbrian food that is also suitable for vegan and gluten-free diets. Gillam’s lunch prices range from around £6 to £10 per person. Although Gillam’s doesn’t offer a dinner menu, there are occasional evenings serving 3 course candle-lit dinners which normally correspond with the festivals held in Ulverston such as the Dickensian Evening, Jazz Night and Spanish Evening. Prices start from £19.95 per person and children are welcome.

3. The Jumble Room

The Jumble Room in Grasmere is a wonderfully unique place to stop for a bite to eat. The quirky interior décor is an eclectic mix of bright, bold colours and funky modern art teamed with jazzy music from the stereos. The menu serves all kinds of interesting dishes different to the norm such as artichoke tagliatelle, Vietnamese chicken curry, squid and risotto balls and much more! The atmosphere is relaxed with friendly staff. Prices are around £14.50 to £25 per person with a great selection of wines and beers. Children are welcome but the menu isn’t for fussy eaters! Bookings are advised. Be sure to visit the quaint gift shops of Grasmere while in the area, including the chocolate and gingerbread shops!

4. The George and Dragon

Situated just 5 minutes from Penrith, this charming restaurant is sure to delight. The George and Dragon is home to intimate coves, rustic wooden tables and a Georgian style interior. It’s the perfect setting for relaxation after a tiring day walking in the Lake District. The restaurant serves local ales, fine wines and great food sourced from local farmers and suppliers. The menu changes regularly according to the produce available keeping things fresh. You can enjoy meals such as cheese soufflé, roast guinea fowl, burgers, steak and various types of seafood along with highlights from the specials board. There’s a sunny courtyard outside leading to a little garden where dogs are welcome. Main meals range from £14 to £30 per person, and there’s a good children’s menu. The magnificent Lowther Castle in Penrith is not too far away and is a great family day out.

5. The Punch Bowl

The Punch Bowl near Bowness is a tucked-away village pub with a strong reputation for being one of the best dining experiences in the region. Inside, you’ll find oak floors and tables, a cosy fireplace and leather chairs. Here you can enjoy meals such as braised boeuf bourgignon, steak with thickly cut chips, smoked duck, rabbit and wonderful pasta dishes suitable for everyone’s tastes all superbly presented by the pub’s talented chefs. Don’t forget to try the violet and blackberry crème brûlée for dessert! Prices are around £14.95 to £20 per person and booking ahead is advised. With Lake Windermere so close, why not enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruise and take in the beautiful surroundings before heading to the Punch Bowl for dinner?

6. The Drunken Duck Inn

Located between the villages of Coniston and Hawkshead, the Drunken Duck Inn is perched high on a hilltop with wonderful, dramatic landscape all around. The restaurant is committed to serving the finest quality, ethically produced and locally sourced food. You can choose venison loin, chicken with lobster cannelloni, dry-aged beef and seabass with oyster mushrooms and much more. The meals here are of superb quality! The inn has a calm, rustic feel with wooden beams, a range of antiques and framed prints on the walls. The restaurant serves a good range of local ales brewed on site. It is recommended that you book in advance as the place is extremely popular with locals and tourists alike! Prices are around £18 to £20 per person for dinner. Children are welcome but no dogs are allowed. Before you visit, you can enjoy a scenic walk through Tarn Hows, a 2.5 mile circular walk in one of the most visited natural beauty spots in the Lake District once owned by Beatrix Potter.

The Lake District is home to some fantastic restaurants to compliment your trip to the beautiful area. There are also many campsites and caravan parks nearby to help you make the most of your holiday.