Places to Eat

There is a great choice of places to eat within easy reach of South Stonethwaite Cottage including the very popular Queens Head which is just a two minute walk away. Below you will find a selection of our favourite places to eat.

For special occasions or everyday fine dining, Cumbria has 4 Michelin star hotels in the Lakes: Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume in Cartmel with two stars, Forestside in Grasmere, The Samling between Ambleside and Windermere and the Gilpin Hotel near Bowness on Windermere.

Queens Head, Troutbeck

Just a 2 minute walk away. Former 17th century coaching inn. Serves delicious Cumbrian classics created with the best seasonal produce. Tables can be booked on their website.
Tel: 015394 32404

The Mortal Man, Troutbeck

A ten minute walk, much improved I gather.
Tel: 015394 33193

Francine’s, Windermere

A local favourite and lovely for an intimate evening meal – French – Cumbrian a la carte menu with daily additions. Seafood is a passion such as freshly prepared lobster, steaming mussels and fish casseroles.
Tel: 015394 44088

Watermill, Ings

10 minutes drive from the cottage, the pub has an award winning brewery on site and 11 real ales on at any one time. Freshly prepared food in a traditional inn.
Tel: 01539 821309

Lamplighter - Windermere

Local produce, great food, good place for a drink and snack, evening meal or for a unique Sunday lunch experience which must be booked well in advance where you select your preferred roast on booking.
Tel: 015394 43547

Homeground - Windermere

For all day brunch, delicious breakfast, light lunches, speciality coffee and delicious cakes in this on trend boutique coffee house.
Tel: 015394 44863

Wateredge - Ambleside

If it’s a lovely day and you want to eat outside, there is no better place than the garden on Lake Windermere with freshly prepared locally sourced food.
Tel: 015394 32332

Doi Intanon, Ambleside

Tasty Thai cuisine with fiery green, red and yellow curries located in the old Ambleside old market hall. Also does takeaways.
Tel: 015394 32119

Gilpin Spice, Windermere

A new and exciting addition to dining in the area, based on the historical centre of the spice trade in Cumbria giving inspiration to traditional dishes such as Grasmere gingerbread, potted shrimps, Cumberland sausage and sticky toffee pudding. The owner and chef have personally selected spices from all over the world and paired them with the tastiest dish from every nation to create an amazing sharing menu.
Tel: 015394 88818

Old Stamp House - Ambleside

Classy food with impeccable Cumbrian provenance. Herdwick Hogget fresh with peas, beans and barley stew, roast duck with salsify chicory. It’s in the cellar where Wordsworth once worked as a distributor of stamps.
Tel: 015394 32775

OLake Road Kitchen - Ambleside

NOMA trained head chef explores the food of the north in his multi-course tasting menus which are chock full of locally sourced seasonal and foraged ingredients from shore sourced seaweed to forest picked mushrooms Presentation is impeccable, flavours experimental and Scandinavian inspired decor.
Tel: 015394 22012

The Samling

One of Cumbria's four Michelin Star restaurants, located between Windermere and Ambleside and offering expansive views across Lake Windermere. An ideal choice for that memorable dining experience.
Tel: 015394 31922