This “great country gastropub with rooms” near Windermere – “a favourite pub in Cumbria” – has earned a reputation for “consistent” delivery of “meals a cut above the standard of normal pub restaurants” under owner Richard Rose. Built almost 200 years ago, it was originally the village smithy.
This “consistently enjoyable” and much commented-on gastropub – originally a village blacksmiths from 1829 – wins plaudits for its “helpful and friendly staff” under owner Richard Rose, and for its signature “cheese soufflé that always hits the spot – which is why they keep it on the menu”; other dishes also go down well, not least a “raspberry soufflé to die for”.
“Terrific service, even during winter storms” is typical of this very scenically located pub in a small village a quarter of an hour’s drive from Windermere and overlooking the Lyth Valley. It is the most commented-on pub in The Lakes in our annual diners’ poll. Owner Richard Rose has built its renown as a generally well-run operation, which of course also includes “quality locally sourced food”. Top Menu Tip – twice-baked Lancashire cheese soufflé.
“Locally sourced modern British cooking at its best” draws an appreciative crowd to this “high-quality operation that’s more restaurant than pub”, in “a picturesque location, tucked away in a small stone-built Lakeland village”. Top tip: “the Stornoway black pudding and scallop starter is exceptional”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Tom Parker Bowles found “something reassuringly robust” about this famous Lakeland inn with a “huge leather sofa [that] sits before a blazing wood burner” in the old-fashioned bar; a “solid and comfortable” dining room, with old beams and a well-trodden wooden floors; and a menu “mainly British with a Gallic burr, that makes full use of the magnificent local Lake District larder”.
Tom Parker-Bowles - 2024-10-13 Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
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| Bread | £1.75 |
| Service | 10.00% |
"Same menu in informal bar setting or restaurant. The cheese soufflé starter remains a favourite though the black pudding and crispy egg creates a quandary for starters if only dining once. Over three nights the guinea fowl got our vote as the best main. "
"A return visit to this popular spot in the Lake District. Sadly, things have gone down. Lunch menu is less extensive than dinner meaning some advertised courses we would have liked are not available. The ambiance was more like a pub than a restaurant but not at pub prices. Table next to us had 8 people, babies etc. People kept getting up and going outside - to smoke, text or whatever, shouting though the open window. Service is also less friendly. We order bread (as an extra) and were presented with one slim slice. Even that turned out to be stale. Naturally, we complained and the server said it was what the chef agreed. No offer even to replace. Eventually the chef came over and confirmed that one slice was the offer. We said this was just mean compared to others if you charge extra. He just offered to replace the stale slice- no apology even. Bad look. On the plus side their classic cheese soufflé remains one of the best you see. "
| Monday | 11 am‑8:45 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am‑8:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am‑8:45 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am‑8:45 pm |
| Friday | 11 am‑8:45 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am‑8:45 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am‑8:45 pm |
