Our Local Best
Local produce and local ales that taste great. All in a short distance from the campsite…you can even walk from Kestrel Lodge to the Sun Inn if you wish.
The Sun Inn
Our local here in Bassenthwaite serving great meals with a good menu and only a 1 mile walk from the campsite on a good footpath. Muddy boots and dogs welcome. They also do take away pizza's now. Definitley pre-order them.
https://www.suninnbassenthwaite.co.uk/
Bassenthwaite Lake Station
Bassenthwaite Lake Station is a Café in a restored railway station with a full size replica steam train on the former Cockermouth to Keswick line. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea aboard the replica Orient Express train from the film starring Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Michelle Pfieffer, Daisy Ridley, Derek Jacobi and many more. The food is absolutely fabulous, and if you don't believe me, you can read food critic Grace Dent's review of the place and how her particular fav is the dark chocolate orange sponge cake. An oozy, sticky, comforting mass of cholatey lovliness straight out of Mathilda. This is a particular favourite place of ours. Dogs are welcome, in fact, you'll often find the owners own dog wandering around meetin' and greetin'.
https://www.bassenthwaitelakestation.com/
Ravenstone Manor
Good food, good prices, and very comfortable (if a little dated) surroundings. Dog friendly and welcoming, it's definitely worth booking for evening meals during the season as they do get busy and will cater to their hotel guests first--as you'd expect. But worth the little drive or a stop if you're walking that way. Lovely beer garden for a sunny day with a stunning view down to Bassenthwaite Lake. They also do a great Sunday lunch at a very reasonable price.
017687 76240
http://ravenstonemanor.co.uk/food-drink/
The Armathwaite Hall Hotel
If you fancy a real treat while you are here then the Armathwaite Hall Hotel offers fine dining and afternoon tea as well as a Bar with Bistro – it is a lovely experience with locally sourced cuisine, so for foodies who fancy something special, this is well worth a try.
http://www.armathwaite-hall.com/dining/lake_district_dining.php
The Lake District Distillery
A relatively new addition to eating out in the area but its has a fantastic reputation as one of the “new” places to go. All locally sourced products and a very different menu. You can also visit the distillery and shop while you are there – a definite recommendation. No dogs.
https://www.lakesdistillery.com/bistro-at-the-distillery-i4680
The Pheasant
This newly refurbished 17th-century coaching inn provides the perfect base for exploring the Lake District, as well as offering fantastic food and drink, quirky accommodation and a real flavour of the best Cumbria has to offer. The recent restoration has brought new life to The Pheasant Inn while maintaining the heritage of the site. Dog friendly in the bar area.
https://www.inncollectiongroup.com/pheasant-inn/https://www.inncollectiongroup.com/pheasant-inn/
The Craggs
On the A591 on the way to Bothel is a lovely little hidaway, that is more than just a coffee shop that offers lovely baked goods. A lovely sunday lunch, some beautiful scampi and chips, good value for money. A chef friend of mine recommends this place for the food, so that tells you something. A rather underatted gem.
Mae's Tearoom
Another little hidden gem, off the beaten track and not as busy when Keswick is over run. They also do lovely baked goods and afternoon teas. Highly recommended for something a bit quieter, especially if you're over that way walking some of the northern fells.
Mae’s Tea Rooms & Gallery, The old school, Uldale, NR: Bassenthwaite, Keswick. CA7 1HA
tel: 01697 371369
email: [email protected]
The Old Sawmill Tea Room
The Cafe located next to the car park at Dodd Wood offers home baking and tasty treats along with tea and coffee to warm yourselves up after a good walk up Dodd. Personally I sear by the current teacakes or the welsh rarebit. No Dogs inside on this one though folks.
Siskins Cafe at Whinlatter Forest
Dog, child, muddy-boot, and muddy-biker friendly, they offer a range of soup sandwiches, sausages rolls, etc a kids menu, and baked goods to build back your energy stores for some more time playing around in the trees. Tea and coffees are good, but I highly recommend the hot chocolate. It'll fix what ails ya'.
The Horse & Farrier at Threlkeld
Just off the A66 under Blencathra, the Horse and Farrier does a belting Sunday dinner. Dogs welcome (Book in advance to make sure there's space in the bar for you and them), and plenty of parking, they add local beers, local produce and great service to the mix. Another of our favs.
https://www.horseandfarrier.com/
The Chalet at Portinscale
All glass fronted, with a massive fireplace, and huge stacked log features either side, the Chalet looks inviting and cozy from the outside. On the inside it's suprisingly bright and open, but that coziness doesn't disappear. The smell of fresh brewed coffee, toast, cake and bacon in the air are always inviting. Aren't they? With their lovely, yet simple, pop your flower in the vase when you want attention, signalling system, you're never waiting when you need something, but very unobtrusive. The food is lovely, fresh, and always prepared just the way you like it. Parking can be difficult though. If you've ever driven through Portinscale, you know what the main street's like, however it is a lovely walk from Keswick, or you could tie in lunch with a trip across on the launch if you don't want to try and fight for parking. It is worth the effort though.
https://thechaletportinscale.co.uk/ or call on 017687 72757
Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden
Ah, the Lingholm's French Toast is a special kind of indulgent breakfast. Marinated cherries, dark chocolate...french toast...creme anglaise...Okay, I need to stop before the computer shorts out from all the drool. You get the picture, right? Yummy is just the start of words to describe this place. Dog friendly, bright, airy, and another busy place. Go early or late if you can to avoid the crowds.
https://thelingholmkitchen.co.uk/ or call 017687 71206
Jasper's at Braithwaite
Now Japser's isn't just a bit dog friendly. It is the epitome of dog friendly. The place is named after one of the owners old dogs. They have doggy muffins, ice-cream and other treats for sale in store as well as bandanas. The food is great, with hearty portions when you get off the fells. This one is a favourite for Louise and Sue for a coffee and cake stop before they come home from a day's walking.
https://www.jasperscoffeehouse.com/ or call +44 (0)17687 78227
The Castel Inn
2 miles from site, on the A591, this Best Western offers local cuisine at good value. Worth a try.
https://www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotels/best-western-plus-castle-inn-hotel-83872
