Eating & drinking
There are plenty of fine establishments to choose from when it comes to eating out in the Lake District, from Michelin-starred fine dining to hearty pub food. Here are some of our favourite restaurants, pubs and cafés all within easy reach of the Badger Sett.
Pubs
The Lake District has a wealth of fantastic pubs, from traditional ale houses to dining pubs (see ‘Restaurants’ below). We are lucky to be within a mile of undoubtedly one of the best; The Old Crown at Hesket Newmarket. Faced with closure in 2003, 125 villagers got together and bought the pub making it Britain’s first cooperatively owned hostelry. It’s everything you want a traditional English pub to be – friendly atmosphere, log fires and great beer brewed in the microbrewery out the back. It’s a very pleasant stroll down the lane, child-friendly and serves good pub grub. To top it all The Guardian newspaper recently listed it as one of the best bars in the world! A little further afield, The Snooty Fox at Uldale always has a warm welcome and is great for a hearty meal after a long walk on the fells. The Boot & Shoe at Greystoke (home of Tarzan) is another favourite of ours – a traditional pub with tasty food and a good pint.
Restaurants / Dining Pubs
There are a couple of exceptional dining pubs within a 20 minute drive of the cottage. Don’t miss out on a gorgeous meal at The George and Dragon at Clifton (just south of Penrith). With a philosophy of sustainability and simplicity, most of the ingredients are either grown or reared on the neighbouring Lowther Estate. Anything the Estate can’t produce is sourced from other local suppliers. Another firm favourite is The Gate Inn at Yanwath which consistently wins awards for its menu. If it’s a very special occasion then the world famous Michelin starred Sharrow Bay Hotel serves fine dining in a beautiful setting on the shores of Ullswater.
Cafés
If you first arrived at The Badger Sett from the south you will probably have driven past The Upfront Gallery and Café at Unthank (near Hutton-in-the-Forest). There’s a vegetarian restaurant, coffee shop, art gallery (with a regularly changing programme of exhibitions) and even a puppet theatre. Close by at Greystoke is the quirky (their description not ours) Cycle Café – a cyclist friendly café, serving delicious cakes, on the Coast to Coast route. Over in the Eden Valley combine a walk to Lacy’s Caves with a pit-stop at Little Salkeld Watermill – a working mill with a lovely café serving organic and vegetarian food. If you’ve eaten at The George and Dragon (see above) then why not visit the café and gardens on the Lowther Estate to see where the food comes from!
