Lake District Cumbria, UK Travel Guide
Historically, dishes in Cumbria provided sustenance for outdoor workers like farmers, shepherds, and miners. This led to a cuisine rich in flavor and calories, designed to provide energy for demanding physical labor. The region's isolation for centuries fostered distinctive local dishes.
Today, a strong focus remains on using ingredients from the surrounding fells, lakes, and farms, blending tradition with modern culinary techniques.
This distinctive meat from the hardy Herdwick sheep is known for its rich, gamey flavor.
A long, coiled pork sausage, typically highly flavored with pepper and spices.
Creamy, crumbly Lancashire cheese and various modern artisanal varieties produced in the region.
This meat from the iconic Herdwick sheep, is seen in many forms: roasted, slow-cooked, or in rich stews. Its distinct, gamey flavor is celebrated across the region.
Widely available in restaurants and gastropubs.
A thick, coiled pork sausage spiced with pepper and other spices. Usually accompanied by mashed potatoes and rich gravy, it is a main part.
Found in pubs, cafes, and local butchers.
A moist sponge cake created with dates, served warm having a rich toffee sauce. This ubiquitous dessert appears on almost every pub and restaurant menu.
Appears on most menus.
A glucose-based confection, famous for providing energy to mountaineers (including those on Everest expeditions). Purchase this high-energy snack in sweet shops and outdoor retailers.
A unique, spicy-sweet, crumbly biscuit-cake, produced exclusively by The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop in Grasmere since 1854. A stop for many visitors.
The Lake District has exceptional fine dining, boasting several Michelin-starred restaurants. L'Enclume (Cartmel, 3 Michelin stars) is renowned for its innovative, hyper-local tasting menus. Forest Side (Grasmere, 1 Michelin star) focuses on produce from its own parks and local suppliers. Heft (High Newton, 1 Michelin star) a pub with exceptional modern British cuisine. The Old Stamp House Restaurant (Ambleside, 1 Michelin star) refined Cumbrian cuisine.
Numerous gastropubs, hotel restaurants, and independent bistros have quality meals at mid-range prices. The Drunken Duck Inn (Barngates), The Punch Bowl Inn (Crosthwaite), and The Cuckoo Brow Inn (Far Sawrey). These establishments often have local produce and traditional dishes with a current twist.
Cafes, sandwich shops, and fish and chip shops for budget-friendly meals. Pub lunch menus feature good value meals. Supermarkets are cost-effective for self-catering. Market stalls in Kendal and Keswick have hot food.
Some local cooking schools, like Lucy Cooks near Kendal, have classes focusing on local ingredients. Self-guided tours to local producers like breweries, distilleries, and cheese makers for tastings.
The Lakes Distillery and Hawkshead Brewery provide tours and tastings, learning about their processes.
Some farms have what visitors experiences or farm shops for local produce. Kendal Food Festival (October) and Taste Cumbria (Cockermouth, September) showcase local and regional produce.
Agricultural shows throughout the summer feature local food stalls.
Meals in traditional inns with roaring fires have a cozy, authentic atmosphere.
Enjoy dining with panoramic views over the lakes, like at Storrs Hall.
Most restaurants have clear vegetarian options. Check menus online or call ahead.
Many establishments cater to gluten-free needs. Communicate needs clearly to staff.
Halal and kosher options are very restricted in the Lake District due to the small demand.
Travelers with these specific dietary needs may need to seek out particular restaurants in larger cities outside the park or consider self-catering to manage their meals.
Many establishments are well-versed in catering to gluten-free, dairy-free, and other allergen requirements.
Always communicate your dietary needs clearly to staff when placing an order. Menus often mark allergens that many people have.
Game dishes are more prevalent on menus during autumn and winter, reflecting hunting seasons.
Scones with jam and clotted cream (Cream Tea) a classic British treat, perfect for an afternoon break.
Some local cooking schools, like Lucy Cooks near Kendal, have classes focusing on local ingredients or specific cuisines.
While organized food tours are limited, you can design your own self-guided tours, visiting local producers like breweries, distilleries, and cheese makers for trying and insights.
Some farms offer the experience for visitorss or feature shops on farms where you are able to buy local produce, like Herdwick lamb.
Experience meals in traditional inns with roaring fires, offering a cozy and authentic atmosphere.
Local ales and filling Cumbrian dishes.
Enjoy dining with panoramic views over the lakes, like at Storrs Hall.
Stunning vistas complement fine cuisine.
Renowned for its innovative, hyper-local tasting menus, often featuring ingredients from its own farm.
Focuses on produce from its own gardens and local suppliers, offering modern British cuisine in a luxurious setting.
A pub with rooms that offers exceptional modern British cuisine, showing seasonal Cumbrian ingredients.
To maximize your dining experiences in the Lake District, here are a few more points.
