Lake District ideas

[Calculator]

I am travelling from Manchester to Ambleside tomorrow and was hoping someone might be able to recommend somewhere decent to stop off for lunch, either around the destination or en route?

Also, are there any other areas/villages that people would specifically recommend around that part of the Lakes to spend a couple of hours?

[rehab71]

We stayed here http://www.holbeckghyll.com/the-restaurant last year and the food was bloody lovely, highly recommended!

[Jazoli]

You could do worse than than the Watermill at Ings which is on the way then a couple of hours in Bowness on Windermere, do a quick boat trip on the lake, or head through Ambleside to Grasmere (10 mins) and have a wander around and and have tea and gingerbread.

[dom9]

Have a look at Wikipedia for 'The Trip' starring Steve Coogan and Rob Bryden - some great ideas on there!

[moribund]

Lucy's on a Plate and Fellinis in Ambleside were both excellent when we were there over Christmas, as was the Drunken Duck a couple of miles away.

[10 Pence Short]

rehab71 said:

We stayed here http://www.holbeckghyll.com/the-restaurant last year and the food was bloody lovely, highly recommended!

We had dinner there last year, it was lovely, though it depends on budget and formality to how suitable it would be for the OP.

The Queens Head at Troutbeck (on the road between Windermere and Kirkstone Pass) is a nice place to stop off.

For a nice journey, head out of Ambleside and do Wrynose/Hardknott passes, then turn around and come back over them. Worth the experience.

[BigJonMcQuimm]

moribund said:

Lucy's on a Plate and Fellinis in Ambleside were both excellent when we were there over Christmas, as was the Drunken Duck a couple of miles away.

Had a fantastic meal at the Drunken Duck.

[vladcjelli]

BigJonMcQuimm said:

moribund said:

Lucy's on a Plate and Fellinis in Ambleside were both excellent when we were there over Christmas, as was the Drunken Duck a couple of miles away.

Had a fantastic meal at the Drunken Duck.

The Duck does a really good meal, and the views from up there across the lake towards Ambleside are really nice.

If you want a quick bite on the way up, follow the coast through Arnside. The chippy there was incredible last time we were there. (Year or five ago, granted).

Money no object, slip through Cartmel for L'Enclume. On my list of to dos. The lunch menu looks almost reasonable.

[av185]

Unfortunately theres a dearth of decent eating and drinking places for such a beautiful part of the world but as others have said I would head to the Drunken Duck for a top home made independent 'Barngates Brewery' pint, peruse the imaginative but overpriced menu, and if you decide its not for you drive over to Great Langdale and to either the New Dungeon Ghyll or Old Dungeon Ghyll Inn for reasonable bar food in a stunning location.....

However, if you merely fancy one of the best fish and chip dinners in the North, dine inside or out at the 'Walnut Fish and Chip Shop' in Ambleside........

[JQ]

av185 said:

Unfortunately theres a dearth of decent eating and drinking places for such a beautiful part of the world but as others have said I would head to the Drunken Duck for a top home made independent 'Barngates Brewery' pint, peruse the imaginative but overpriced menu, and if you decide its not for you drive over to Great Langdale and to either the New Dungeon Ghyll or Old Dungeon Ghyll Inn for reasonable bar food in a stunning location.....

However, if you merely fancy one of the best fish and chip dinners in the North, dine inside or out at the 'Walnut Fish and Chip Shop' in Ambleside........

My last 2 experiences at the Drunken Duck have meant I shall never darken their doors again, pretty terrible service on both occassions. However there is good news, Stampers has closed and been replaced by www.oldstamphouse.com. By all accounts the food is excellent, and it's right in the middle of Ambleside. I'm off up there tomorrow so might pop my head in. Two young local guys who've worked at starred restaurants in the past and are giving it a go in Ambleside. It's what the place needs. Good luck to them.

[av185]

JQ said:

av185 said:

Unfortunately theres a dearth of decent eating and drinking places for such a beautiful part of the world but as others have said I would head to the Drunken Duck for a top home made independent 'Barngates Brewery' pint, peruse the imaginative but overpriced menu, and if you decide its not for you drive over to Great Langdale and to either the New Dungeon Ghyll or Old Dungeon Ghyll Inn for reasonable bar food in a stunning location.....

However, if you merely fancy one of the best fish and chip dinners in the North, dine inside or out at the 'Walnut Fish and Chip Shop' in Ambleside........

My last 2 experiences at the Drunken Duck have meant I shall never darken their doors again, pretty terrible service on both occassions. However there is good news, Stampers has closed and been replaced by www.oldstamphouse.com. By all accounts the food is excellent, and it's right in the middle of Ambleside. I'm off up there tomorrow so might pop my head in. Two young local guys who've worked at starred restaurants in the past and are giving it a go in Ambleside. It's what the place needs. Good luck to them.

We used to have drinking sessions and many a lock in at the Drunken Duck when it was a proper 'locals' haunt before it went down the predictable somewhat ubiquitous 'gastro' pub route and hiked prices to their current stratospheric levels......its now clearly aiming at attracting 'foodies' mainly south of the 'border' who may well have more money than sense.....

Still worth nipping in for a pint of their excellent Catnap or Taglag though made from water off the fells...

[easytiger123]

Went to L'enclume and I have to say it was one of the best meals I've ever had. Amazing food in a lovely room with fantastic service. Not the cheapest but that said it wasn't London ludicrous, and good value given the quality and quantity of grub there was. There's also a fantastic cheese shop just round the corner too if cheese is your thing!