10 cozy pubs in the Lake District that you really need to visit /

What better way to relax after a long day of walking, sailing or exploring the Lake District than with great food and drink in the comfortable surroundings of a cozy Lake District pub?

For those of us living and working in the Lake District, we really are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a pub to visit. So we thought we’d focus on Windermere and the surrounding area to get some inspiration. Here are ten of our favorite cozy pubs, somewhere to spend a lunch and afternoon, or spend an evening enjoying the fine company of family and friends.

The Crafty Baa

Located in the heart of Windermere, The Crafty Baa is a family-run pub and a former AA Pub of the Year. If you’re a craft beer lover, this quirky pub is a must for any beer connoisseur, with over 100 bottled craft beers from around the world, alongside the real ales, stouts, porters, IPAs and lagers. Food is served all day (11am to 10:30pm) and definitely worth a try. Whether it’s appetizers, platters or hot sandwiches, there’s something to satisfy most appetites.

The Crafty Baa is child and dog friendly.

The watermill at Ings

Just a few miles out of Windermere towards Kendal is the village of Ings and The Watermill Inn, a multi-award winning, family-run pub and brewery situated on a quiet lane surrounded by beautiful countryside.

The pub has built an enviable reputation for brewing its own beers, twelve in all, and many of them have some kind of canine reference in the name, such as Golden Retriever, a Bit’er Ruff or Collie Wobbles, a nod to the dog – friendly nature of the pub.

The Watermill Inn offers all-day casual dining in a relaxed atmosphere, rather than restaurant dining. The main menu features seasonal dishes, as well as chef’s specials. This is hearty dining and at this time of year we highly recommend the beef and collie wobbles ale pie.

The Punchbowl Inn, Crosthwaite

On the edge of the village of Crosthwaite, about twenty minutes’ drive from Windermere, is the Punchbowl Inn, a charming and rustic seventeenth century pub in the heart of the Lyth Valley.

The Punchbowl has become synonymous with fantastic food, earning two well-deserved AA rosettes along the way. It offers an extensive menu, available at lunchtime Monday to Saturday (12:00pm – 3:00pm) and every evening between 5:30pm – 8:30pm (Saturday & Sunday 6:00pm – 8:30pm). The Sunday lunch menu changes weekly and is served from 12:00 to 15:00. And you can choose from a traditional bar or formal and casual restaurants.

The bar serves a selection of locally brewed beer, as well as an extensive range of malt whiskeys and gins, including local damson gin. There is also an excellent wine list.

If you do decide to reserve a table, make sure to try the twice-baked cheese soufflé. It is awesome.

The black Labrador, Underbarrow

The Black Labrador is located in the village of Underbarrow, a few minutes down the road from the Punchbowl. As the name suggests, your canine companions will receive a warm welcome from the Black Labrador.

Open Wednesday to Sunday (at the time of writing), these 16^e century pub offers a warm Lakeland welcome, thanks in no small part to the log burning stove in the bar. It also offers great food and a fine selection of beers and wines.

The hare and hounds at Bowland Bridge

Nestled deep in the Winster Valley east of Lake Windermere lies the Hare and Hounds at Bowland Bridge. And if you’re looking for great food without the fuss, this is the perfect place to be.

You’ll find classic pub fare, such as fish and chips in beer batter or steak and ale pie, as well as daily specials, lighter meals and vegetarian options. For something really special, make sure to book a table for Sunday lunch, especially if you have a penchant for a Yorkshire Pudding.

The Masons Arms, Strawberry Bank

A short (but steep) walk up the hill from the Hare and Hounds will bring you to the Masons Arms, a 16^e century inn with spectacular views over the Winster Valley. The Masons Arms has been described as a “real gem in the Lake District”. Here you’ll find a cozy bar, exposed beams and crackling log fires, not to mention fantastic food, a fine selection of beers and a warm Lake District welcome.

Dining here is a must. People come from miles away to try some of the gastronomic delights on offer. Enjoy everything from pub classics to internationally inspired dishes, hot and cold sandwiches to vegetarian options. And if you like pudding, be sure to try the locally made gourmet ice cream.

The Brown Horse Inn, Winster

Nestled in the beautiful Winster Valley, the Brown Horse Inn is cozy and welcoming in all seasons, but especially this time of year. The beautiful decor of this former coaching inn from 1850 gives it a warm, traditional feel. And as the evenings approach, enjoy comfort dishes prepared with a touch of elegance, including slow-cooked beef, Stornoway black pudding or Thai green curry.

The owners try to keep the menu as local and as close to nature as possible. And you will certainly receive a warm welcome.

Tower Bank Arms, near Sawrey

When the ferry is running, head to the west side of Lake Windermere and the land of Beatrix Potter. Or rather, why not head to Tower Bank Arms, just a few yards down the road from the author’s former Hill Top residence.

Today it is a traditional country pub with a crackling fire and flagstone floors. It has three regular beers on tap, while another two guest beers are mostly from local breweries.

The food is considered some of the best in the area so it is quite popular. It has also developed a reputation for catering exceptionally well to people with food allergies and intolerances. So if you plan to eat there make sure you book in advance.

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The Queen’s Head, Troutbeck

The Queen’s Head at Troutbeck is a 17th century coaching inn at the foot of Kirkstone Pass, nestling on the side of the hills overlooking the Troutbeck Valley. The inn has recently undergone extensive restoration and the result exudes class with ornate carvings, large stone fireplaces and exposed beams.

The Queens Head is known for serving great food, with a range of tasty options including full cooked breakfasts for guests and non-guests alike. The perfect way to start your day. The main menu changes with the seasons and is served daily from 12:00 to 21:00.

Hole in the wall, Bowness-on-Windermere

We round up favorite pubs not far from where we started – at the Hole in t’Wall in Bowness, just over a mile from the Crafty Baa. As well as being the oldest pub in Bowness, it was voted Britain’s coziest pub in a survey conducted earlier this year.

Whether you’re looking for a pint of award-winning Robinsons’ ale, a craft gin or a wholesome meal, a warm welcome awaits you at Hole in t’Wall.

There are so many great pubs in and around Windermere so narrowing it down to just ten has been a challenge. But if you’re in the area, these are ten cozy pubs you really need to visit.

Rachael Thomas is a managing director of Matson Ground Estate Company Limited, which has a number of holiday cottages in the Lake District, including Birkdale House. Birkdale House is a luxury Victorian residence in the heart of a private estate in England’s Lake District.

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