Local brews and stunning views
The Best Pubs in the Lake District to Drink in the View
Not looking to travel so far for a view, if you’d like to see more pubs for specific areas try our other guides:
Windermere Pubs / Dog Friendly Pubs / Hawkshead Pubs / Grasmere Pubs / Keswick Pubs
8 of the best Lake District pubs for a drink with a view
Spectacular scenery is all very well, but all that fresh air builds up a thirst. And what better way to reward yourself after a day out hiking the fells than with a well-earned drink and a bite to eat in a traditional hostelry, before heading back to your holiday cottage?
We’ve gathered together six of our favourite Lake District pubs to wet your whistle in.
The Hikers’ Bar at The Old Dungeon Ghyll
Our first choice is The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Great Langdale. Situated at the head of the Langdale valley, it’s been a favourite haunt of adventurous climbers and walkers for over 300 years, but those arriving on four wheels (there’s a public car park nearby) in search of sustenance will be made equally welcome at this cosy, traditional inn, only eight miles from Ambleside.
Settle yourself in the Hikers’ Bar and enjoy a selection of real ales, and fine Scottish whiskies, or choose from the extensive wine cellar. The perfect pick-me-up if you’ve been walking or climbing all day. And if you haven’t!
Looking to stay local? Check out our holiday cottages to rent nearby in Coniston & Langdale.
The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel website
015394 37272
The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Great Langdale
Ambleside
LA22 9AQ
The Wateredge Inn, Waterhead, Ambleside
Set in a row of 17th-century fishermen’s cottages on the banks of Lake Windermere, this relaxed pub is 11 minutes walk from the town centre and 4 miles from Wray Castle.
Step inside, and you’ll find yourself immersed in a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere. The bar exudes a lovely vibe, with plenty of tables strategically placed to offer stunning views of the serene lake. Despite its popularity, it seldom feels overcrowded, allowing you to savour the moment as you sip on a fantastic selection of drinks, including delightful local craft beers on tap.
The staff here are simply wonderful, greeting you with genuine smiles and a level of hospitality that’s hard to beat.
But the real magic happens outside, where you can bask in the beauty of Lake Windermere as you enjoy a leisurely dinner. So, whether you’re seeking a cosy drink by the bar or a scenic meal by the lake, The Wateredge Inn offers an experience that’s as inviting as it is unforgettable.
Looking to stay close to the water? Take a look at our lake and riverside cottages.
The Queen’s Head, Troutbeck
If it’s a picturesque pit stop you’re looking for, you could do a lot worse than The Queen’s Head. Nestled next to the fells in the Troutbeck Valley, this 17th-century coaching inn is all oak beams, log fires and exposed stone walls, and even has a bar made from an Elizabethan four-poster bed that once spent its days and nights in Appleby Castle.
You can just rock up by car, of course, but with a range of fabulous walks beginning on the doorstep, including Wansfell Fell, with its fantastic views over Windermere, it would be a shame not to bring your walking boots and earn yourself a local brew. We hear the food’s pretty good too.
Looking to hang around for a bit? Stay local in one of our lovely Troutbeck holiday cottages.
Lake View Garden Bar, Bowness
Whether you’re a regular or it’s your first time, the experience just keeps getting better with each visit. From the moment you step through the door, you’re enveloped in a vibrant atmosphere, thanks to the live music and the friendly, knowledgeable staff who seem to know just how to make your evening special.
Now, let’s talk dining options. Downstairs boasts a chic cocktail bar, while upstairs offers a more relaxed setting for enjoying a delicious meal. The staff’s warmth and politeness only enhance the dining experience, leaving you feeling thoroughly looked after in the clean, welcoming space.
But the real star of the show? The balcony. Oh, that balcony! With its fabulous furnishings and quirky charm, it’s the perfect perch for taking in the breathtaking views of the lake. And if you’re lucky, you might catch a live singer serenading the crowd, adding an extra layer of magic to an already enchanting setting.
The Masons Arms, Strawberry Bank
A Lake District Institution, the 16th-century Masons Arms sits on a hairpin bend overlooking the magnificent Winster Valley. What’s it like? Well, we’re talking cosy snugs, low-beamed ceilings, flagged floors… you get the picture. But don’t plan on making any calls to your friends to tell them how wonderful it is – mobile signal is patchy to non-existent. Just enjoy the delicious, locally sourced food and incredible views and talk to each other instead.
If you can bear to tear yourself away, you can stretch your legs with an easy circular walk to the medieval St Anthony’s Church. Or, if you’re feeling a bit (a lot) more adventurous, carry on from the church to Whitbarrow and put in a strenuous eight-miler, enjoying woodland, wildlife and views to rave about on the way.
After all that effort, you won’t want to go too far to get back to where you’re staying – Have a gander at our holiday cottages in nearby Cartmel.
015395 68486
Strawberry Bank,
Cartmel Fell,
Grange Over Sands,
Cumbria,
LA11 6NW
The Queens Head, Hawkshead
Another Queens Head? Don’t mind if we do. Welcoming travellers and visitors since the 17th century, this historic inn is a lovely spot to pop into after a few hours tramping the fells and can be found in the centre of charming Hawkshead. Great for a bit of people-watching in a picture-perfect Lakeland village.
The characterful interior marries period features, unusual pieces of art, and comfortable wall seats. You can look forward to roaring fires, award-winning food, refreshing cask ales and a whole lotta cosy.
Fancy a gentle stroll first? Lace-up your boots and head to Tarn Hows. A mile and a half from Hawkshead, it offers an easy yet gorgeous circular walk that’s mostly flat so accessible to all – even those in wheelchairs.
Heading to Hawkshead? Find your perfect Hawkshead holiday cottage.
The Hare & Hounds Inn, Bowland Bridge
This charming 300-year-old coaching inn in the hamlet of Bowland Bridge is part-owned by the former publisher of style bible Wallpaper, so is the perfect and tasteful combination of modern and traditional.
Located just three miles from Windermere, The Hare & Hounds offers both pub classics and modern fare, all locally sourced where possible, along with local cask ales and an impressive wine list. With Cartmel Fell a stone’s throw away, there’s no shortage of eye-catching scenery to enjoy before or after your visit. And the delights of Windermere, Bowness and Kendal are but a short drive away.
Planning to stay in the area? Take a look at our Windermere holiday cottages.
The Drunken Duck, Ambleside
Last orders will be called at The Drunken Duck in Ambleside. Sitting on an isolated crossroads (yet only a short drive from Ambleside), travellers come from far and wide to visit. When you get there, you’ll see why.
In a picture-postcard setting, with dramatic views of the surrounding fells, it’s been a pub for most of its 300 years and has its own micro-brewery – Barngates Brewery.
And when it comes to walking, you’re spoilt for choice. You can be on top of Black Crag with its 360-degree views of the Coniston fells and Langdale Pikes in under an hour, or if you’re not feeling that energetic, low-level ambles around the lake at Windermere are a mere 15 minutes away. You can always fuel up with their fantastic food options as well.
Looking to stay local? Relax and enjoy your holiday in one of our nearby holiday cottages in Ambleside.
Looking to Escape to Quiet Lanes and Rolling Hills?
Perhaps you’ll find your next favourite retreat in one of the less visited villages of the Lake District below…
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