WINDERMERE

 Windermere town is the station stop for Lake Windermere. It is, however a few miles to the lake. The town on the lake where the cruises go from is actually Bowness on Windermere.

Walking down from the station takes you to the main shopping centre of the town. Follow the road alongside the shops and it then the road widens out, going downhill, to Bowness on Windemere and eventually to the lake. However, Windermere itself is a charming town with lots of cafes and bars.

Bowness on Windemere has more shops, restaurants and pubs. There is a pubtrail page for it and some other Lake District towns

Most of the pubs are found in the centre of the town with only one a walk away.

visit Windermere visit Cumbria Windermere lake

Come out of the road from the station and turn right up the main road and cross over to the large hotel called The Windemere. Leaving here stay in the hotel grounds and walk on past the hotel to find its pub called Orrest Head Bar. Walk down the hill to the main road and cross it and continue down until you can turn left.

Along this road on the right is Grey Walls and across from that is The Lamplighter. Continue in towards the town and at the apex of the Y-junction is the cafe-bar Brown Sugar. Leave and go along the left hand street in the direction of traffic and cross over and at the next corner find the cafe-bar The Pig.

It is then a 10 minute walk to The Brookside

Return and walk back past The Pig and opposite Brown Sugar Cafe is The Queens. Round the corner from here is The Crafty Baa and next door to it The Pie and Pint and then up to the right is The Elleray Hotel. Further up to the right is the road to the station.

Windermere Hotel is a large old hotel set above the town. Going in the main entrance and turn to the right to the dining room/bar. There is a small servery in the corner with room set for dining (including cutlery and napkins laid out. Lunch and evening meals. Pet friendly

Half pint here

Real ale: Hawkshead Windermere Pale

Bitter:    Tetley Smooth

Lager:    Carlsberg;  Angelo Poretti

                                                                                Guinness

Orrest Head Bar is a lounge bar in the grounds of The Windermere Hotel. It has an outside decking patio with seating and windows forming the front wall. The entrance is at the left and takes you into a large tiled and wooden floored rectangular room with the servery against the far wall. There are stools along the counter. Most tables are dinging height with a variety of styles of seating and there are some barrels acting as tall tables. There is a large fireplace on the left wall. TVs are above servery and next to fireplace. A lot of light floods into the room with walls and high ceiling pained dark blue above the seating.

Have a pint here

Real ale:    three pumps but only Hawkshead Pale on

Bitter:        Tetley’s Smooth

Lager:        Carlsberg;  Angelo Poretti

Cider:         Bad Apple

The Gray Walls Hotel has a long servery with banquette seating and dining height tables opposite it. There is also a small room to the right of bar looking more like a dining area. On beyond the long bar and round to the right the room opens out with more seating and some couches. There is also raised areas, with windows giving a view, one of which has a pool table in it. Dogs are welcome. Extensive outdoor seating area. Disabled access. Dog friendly. Lunch and evening meals NEWS

Have a pint here

Real ale   : Handsome Blonde;  Handsome Hound;  Handsome Top Knot; Theakston Bitter; Theakston Old Peculier

Lager       : Kozel; Budweisser;  Bud Light;  Birra Moretti;  San Miguel

cider         : Lilley Rubarb Cider;   Strongbow  :  Magners                                                      Guinness