Punch Bowl Inn

Top choice in The Lake District


If you don't mind a drive, this renowned gastropub in the village of Crosthwaite has long been known for its top-notch food. Whitewashed outside, carefully modernised inside, it's a cosy, inviting space to dine. Chef Scott Fairweather's superb food blends classic dishes with cheffy ingredients (oyster mousse, potato croquettes, pea fricassée, salsify).

The rooms (£135 to £320) are lovely, too: they're all different, but the nicest ones have reclaimed beams, sloping eaves, slate-floored bathrooms and his-and-hers claw-foot tubs.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Lake District attractions

1. Blackwell House

3.24 MILES

Two miles south of Bowness on the B5360, Blackwell House is a glorious example of the 19th-century Arts and Crafts Movement, which championed handmade…

2. Sizergh Castle

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3. World of Beatrix Potter

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4. Windermere & the Islands

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5. Lakes Aquarium

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At the southern end of the lake near Newby Bridge, this aquarium explores a range of underwater habitats from tropical Africa through to Morecambe Bay…

6. Fell Foot Park

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Located at the southern end of Windermere, 7 miles south of Bowness, this 7-hectare lakeside estate originally belonged to a manor house. It's now owned…

7. Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry

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8. Abbot Hall Art Gallery

4.76 MILES

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