• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

All That I'm Eating

Recipe ideas for budget meals, everyday cooking and a little indulgence. Travel inspiration and restaurant reviews too.

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Wild Food
  • Events & Reviews
  • Travel
  • About Me
  • Contact Me

Exploring the Lake District

November 12, 2019 By All That I'm Eating 18 Comments

Exploring the Lake District has been on my list of places to go for ages! I can’t believe how long it has taken me to get it booked and head up there. We went in November, certainly not the warmest time of year to go, but I would argue it’s one of the prettiest. The trees are all turning orange and although it’s cold, it’s not icy cold. Anyway, cold hands are just an excuse to get a hot chocolate.

Walking in the Lake District

We were based near Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere, a convenient 10 minute walk from either town. There is so much to do whether the weather is sunny or raining and we visited several different places offering different activities. Below are some of my highlights and top places to visit. You can find other ideas for things to do on this guide too!

Boats on Lake Windermere

The Walk

You can’t go exploring the Lake District and not go for a walk; it’s pretty much the main reason to go there. However, if you only choose to do one walk I would recommend the walk to Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside. It is one of the most amazing walks I have ever done. The view from the top has got to be one of the finest in the world and I didn’t expect it to be so stunning. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes.

Lake Windermere from Loughrigg Fell, exploring the lake district on a walk

Head for the church in Ambleside and then follow the path through the park. Cross over the stone bridge and then follow the path. When you get to some houses at the top of the hill, climb the steps in the wall, turn left and keep on walking. It took around 50 minutes to get to the top and then another 50 to get back down. I wore wellies but walking boots would have been better. It’s a very well-trodden path so it’s easy to see where you’re heading. We were the only ones up there.

Other walks

We also went across to Buttermere and went to see the waterfall. There are plenty of walks to do in and around Buttermere but we were a little short on time. A quick amble and a sandwich in the café and we were off. There are so many walking guides and resources available, I found the National Trust walks really helpful.

Exploring the Lake District: Buttermere

The Food

We ate in a LOT of cafés. Sometimes stopping for tea and coffee, sometimes cake and more often than not, a sandwich. Places to eat in the main touristy areas tend to be quite expensive. I’m talking like £9 for a sandwich which anywhere else would cost £3. However, off the beaten track you can find some real gems offering something different and delicious.

Folk Cafe breakfast bagel

We headed to Folk café in Bowness. Everything on the menu sounded great and the staff were really helpful. I had the veggie breakfast bagel: smashed avocado, halloumi, fried egg, pea shoots and a delicious smoky, spicy sauce. The coffee was excellent too.

Cafe Ambio sandwich

There are four Café Ambio locations in the Lake District. We went to the one at Lakeland Motor Museum. With an emphasis on local ingredients it sounded like my kind of place! I can’t say no to a Coronation chicken sandwich and theirs was good but what made it really good was the salad. I mean look at all those colours. It had the most fantastic slice of pickled red onion which was really soft and not something I’ve seen before.

Where else?

I would have loved, absolutely loved, to visit L’Enclume. Fingers crossed I can make it next time.

We also stumbled upon a really sweet place called Croft House Farm Café in Buttermere. The prices were really reasonable, the staff super knowledgeable about the area and the ideal place to fill up and stock up before a long walk.

I wish we could have made it to Ullswater, if you make it there yourself, check out these ideas for things to do in Ullswater.

There’s also a really handy guide here for some ideas for things to do in the Lakes when it rains.

The Shops

We found two cracking farm shops nearby: Plumgarths and Low Sizergh Barn. Low Sizergh Barn was huge; three storeys of shop, a café plus a farm walk and you can see the cows being milked every day. You can also buy their raw milk from a vending machine which I thought was a brilliant idea. We got some excellent cheese from there (left to right below): Kendal Creamy, Blue Murder, Inglewhite Buffalo Cheddar.

Exploring the Lake District with cheeses from a local farm shop
Raw milk vending machine

Plumgarths is slightly smaller and it is absolutely crammed from floor to rafter with food. It also has a café next door. They had a lot of food I wanted to try but we only managed to grab a couple of hot sausage rolls. They were brilliant.

Both Windermere and Bowness both have an independent wine merchant as well as independent butchers, craft shops and all sorts. In Ambleside there was an excellent deli called Stockghyll Fine Food and a very tempting bakery called The Apple Pie.

Kendal Mint Cake

Taylors of Bowness was a brilliant sandwich shop; they had so many fillings, hot soups and salads and we grabbed a few bits along with a Lake District essential: Kendal Mint Cake. I opted for chocolate covered, why not, and I can see why it’s a favourite to take on a walk for a hit of sugar!

If you can, you also need to get your hands on some Cartmel sticky toffee pudding. It is the most fantastic sticky toffee pudding of them all!

Stocking up

In Windermere there were a few supermarkets but at the top of the town was a Booths. It’s a great place to stock up on the essentials and they stock a lot of local produce (breads, cakes, drinks, jams, cream and what not) too. There are more stores dotted around the lakes and I liked the mix of things you need for a normal weekly shop alongside products and brands from the local area.

The Museums

Of course, when it’s raining a museum is the best place to be. The Lake District has many: the Beatrix Potter Museum and the Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories are both in or around Bowness. The Visit Cumbria website has a comprehensive list of museums to visit.

Lakeland Motor Museum

We chose to visit The Lakeland Motor Museum. It is bumper to bumper full of cars from all ages. The walls are covered in road signs and there are frozen in time car garages to walk around too. There’s also a separate exhibition about the Bluebird and the Campbell family. It was a great museum and I felt the exhibits were really trying to appeal to everyone, petrol head or not.

I think we crammed quite a lot in to a week, there was plenty more to see and do, other towns to visit (notably Penrith, Hawkshead and Keswick) and really that just sounds like a good excuse to go back.

Other posts you might like

  • Sunset over Montepulciano on our Italian road trip
    An Italian Road Trip
  • Jacqueline Kennedy Reservoir - New York - All That I'm Eating
    Five Days in New York: How To Do Everything
  • North Cornwall Coast Road Trip - Bottalack Tin Mines
    North Cornwall Coast Road Trip

Filed Under: Restaurants, Travel Tagged With: lake district, Travel, UK

« Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake
Christmas Meal Plan »

Comments

  1. angiesrecipes says

    November 12, 2019 at 19:16

    The Lake District looks so beautiful! I am glad that you had a great time there.

    Reply
    • All That I'm Eating says

      November 25, 2019 at 08:45

      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Mimi says

    November 13, 2019 at 12:59

    Such a pretty place. I’m glad you got to go. We walked for miles and miles, and only saw sheep. It was magical. Did you know that it’s where sticky toffee pudding originated? Hope you had some.

    Reply
    • All That I'm Eating says

      November 25, 2019 at 08:43

      Absolutely, I had to get hold of some. Delicious!

      Reply
  3. John / Kitchen Riffs says

    November 13, 2019 at 15:16

    Wonderful pictures! I’ve never been there, but have always wanted to go. And take a walk. And another walk. And another . . . well you get the idea. Terrific post — thanks,.

    Reply
    • All That I'm Eating says

      November 25, 2019 at 08:45

      Thank you! It’s certainly a good place for walking.

      Reply
  4. David Scott Allen says

    November 15, 2019 at 23:35

    Love the photos – looks like a lot of fun! I have always wanted to visit the Lake District and Beatrix Potter’s home and museum.

    Reply
    • All That I'm Eating says

      November 25, 2019 at 08:44

      When we go back I would like to go and see the Beatrix Potter museum, we didn’t have time this trip!

      Reply
  5. Laura says

    November 18, 2019 at 20:25

    So so beautiful! Definitely on my list of places to go! Thanks for the reviews, too! Scenery, walking, good food, there’s nothing better!

    Reply
    • All That I'm Eating says

      November 25, 2019 at 08:44

      Indeed not! Perfection.

      Reply
  6. Kelly | Foodtasia says

    November 22, 2019 at 11:37

    Caroline, it sounds like a lovely trip and a wonderful place to visit! It combines two of my favorite things, eating and walking! I’ve been dreaming about a walking vacation since forever. Sounds like the Lake District has something everyone in the family would enjoy!

    Reply
    • All That I'm Eating says

      November 25, 2019 at 08:44

      I think it does, and nothing is really that far away from anything else so there’s always somewhere to visit.

      Reply
  7. Ron says

    November 25, 2019 at 10:26

    It’s been years since I toured the Lake District. Your post inspires me to make another trip so as to see the changes in the local culinary scene as well as the incredibly beautiful landscape.

    Reply
    • All That I'm Eating says

      November 25, 2019 at 13:22

      It is a beautiful part of the world!

      Reply
  8. Liz says

    November 25, 2019 at 11:37

    Looks like a wonderful area to explore! What beautiful views!

    Reply
    • All That I'm Eating says

      November 25, 2019 at 13:23

      I know, the views are wonderful wherever you are.

      Reply
  9. Merryn Galluccio says

    November 27, 2019 at 00:02

    That view from the Church in Ambleside is postcard material and the cute quaint shop is so pretty too. This is a long way from home so thanks to you Caroline for your visit and sharing these beautiful pictures as well.

    Reply
  10. Alida says

    November 27, 2019 at 16:05

    This is certainly a must-go place. One of the best in the UK and with plenty to see for the whole family. Lovely post. Thank you.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Any information added when you comment will be handled according to this Privacy Policy.

Hello I’m Caroline

Welcome to my site All That I’m Eating. You will find inventive recipes using seasonal and foraged ingredients as well as everyday easy meals and a few indulgent recipes too.

I believe humble food doesn’t have to be hum drum so whether you’ve oodles of onions, superfluous sausages or apples aplenty I hope you enjoy having a look around.

Find Out More…

Never Miss A Thing

Subscribe here!

Get all my posts straight to your inbox.

Instagram

Instagram did not return a 200.

Contact Me

Your name
Your email
Enter your message
Enter below security code

Quick Links

  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Caroline Taylor Communications

Recent Tweets

  • Error: Invalid or expired token.

© 2018 Caroline Taylor - All That I'm Eating
·
Privacy and Copyright
·
web design::mogul

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT