Kate W
30 March 2021
Patterdale and Glenridding are the main settlements on the western shore of Ullswater. With the imposing backdrop of Helvellyn, St Sunday Crag and Fairfield to name but a few, it is easy to see why visitors flock to our self-catering cottages in Ullswater. There are plenty of places to eat in both villages from simple cafes and tearooms to pubs and hotel restaurants.
The Brothers Water Inn is about a mile outside Patterdale at the bottom of the Kirkstone Pass. It is a nice sociable pub with an open fire and plenty of friendly folk to chat to, especially at the height of the camping season. It's a lovely place to sit outside on the suntrap patio and look across to Dove Crag. The White Lion in Patterdale is a cosy walkers pub serving up traditional food presented in a modern fashion. The meals are hearty and filling - just what you need after a day on the fells!
Just up the road from the Lion is the Patterdale Hotel, with its beautiful bright white frontage against the grey slate and the wooded crags behind. The bar is warm and welcoming, and there is a good bar menu for snacks and hot meals till 9pm. The Patterdale Hotel does not accept dogs.
Along the road at Glenridding is the rather grand looking Inn on the Lake, a big hotel that is, as luck would have it, right on the lake. Non-residents are welcome to enjoy a meal in the restaurant (smart dress), the Orangery, and the Ramblers Bar. You can also take afternoon tea by the fire, or in the garden during the warmer months. The lovely garden goes all the way down to the lake and is a wonderful place to while away an afternoon with a glass of wine or two. There also is a large children’s playground outside.
Beckside Bar is within the Glenridding Hotel. It is dog friendly, has a brilliant beer garden and a lovely menu. The interior is rustic and friendly with lots of inspiring pictures decorating the wall.
Fellbites Café is opposite the Tourist Information Centre in Glenridding. It opens from 11am to 8.30pm making it ideal for tired hungry fell walkers coming down off the fells after that last café has closed, but not quite in the mood for a pub meal.
A pub with something of a legendary reputation amongst fell walkers is The Travellers Rest. It is located on the Greenside Road and is a popular route of descent from the mountains. The Travellers Rest is a snug traditional pub where you can get a pint and some decent food without worrying about your muddy boots or soggy waterproofs.
If you fancy a picnic on the banks of Ullswater or perhaps up at Lanty’s Tarn above Glenridding, then you can’t go far wrong with the local shops. In Patterdale you can pick up supplies from the well-stocked local shop. In Glenridding there is a mini market that sells mouth-watering pies, local meat and cheese and for the evening, a wide selection of local beers.
Find your perfect holiday cottage near Ullswater or in Patterdale and Glenridding. Take a look at our dog-friendly Lake District cottages too.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.