for local producers and restauranteurs, food and drink have become art forms
It’s in the way crops are grown, tended and harvested. In the way ingredients are selected, prepared and combined.
The way recipes are tried, refined then tried again. When so much dedication goes into creating something, it becomes a work of art. Cumbria is full of such culinary masterpieces, from simple loaves from local bakeries to dishes in Michelin starred restaurants, damson gin to real ale. As well as there being so many specialities and delicacies to try, there are so many places to try them, from cafés to food fairs, farmers markets to local shops. So, whenever you come to the Lakes, make sure you’re hungry.
a foodie's tour of the region
From sticky toffee pudding in Cartmel to Kennedy's homemade chocolate in Penrith, Richard Woodall's Cumberland sausages from Waberthwaite to Allerdale goats' cheese from Thursby, you can happily eat your way right around the region. Local producers use the freshest local ingredients to create their specialities. And they're incredibly passionate about the flavour and quality of their produce, to make sure you're equally passionate about eating it.
Where to buy local specialities
Sillfield Farm Shop, Endmoor
Taste @ Rheged, Penrith
Higginsons, Grange-over-Sands
Cranstons Food Hall, Penrith
Holker Food Hall, Cark-in-Cartmel
Lucy's Specialist Grocers, Ambleside
Low Sizergh Barn, near Kendal
Bessy Beck Trout Farm, near Kirkby Stephen
North West Fine Food - award winners
Raspberry Pavlova ice cream - English Lakes Ice Cream.
Frutta Cotta Mostarda - Lizzie's Home Made
Cumbrian Honey Bread - Munx Lakeland Bakery.
Caramel Shortbread and Chocolate Brownies - Brunswick Deli
Pea and Ham Soup - Jeremy's Soups
raise a glass to our local drinks producers
Visiting Cumbria and the Lake District is thirsty work, and there are few things more satisfying than coming down from the fells to a friendly welcome, a warm, comfortable seat and a glass or two of something good and cold. To quench your thirst, gulp a glass of Lakeland Spring Water, or Clarissa Dickson Wright's favourite, Willow Water. For a little pick-me-up, try Strawberry Bank Liqueurs' award-winning blackberry gin or a tot of Jefferson's rum. Or settle down to a pint of our best known beverage; real ale.
Food Festivals and Events
There's no better way to celebrate Cumbria's food and drink culture and to meet our local producers than at a mouth-watering food festival. Choose from one of the many food-related festivals in the area. As well as many Beer Festivals around the region. On top of this there are Farmers' Markets Cumbria has a fantastic schedule of farmers markets taking place all year round.
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a real taste of the countryside
You'd be forgiven for thinking that we're obsessed by food and drink. But with so many specialities and delicacies to try (Holker Saltmarsh lamb, Peter Gott's wild boar sausages, Abbott Lodge Jersey ice cream, Thornby Moor Dairy cheeses to name but a few) it can be hard to think of anything else. Throughout the year we hold regular festivals, markets and other events to celebrate and share locally produced food and drink.
Annette Gibbons runs Cumbria On A Plate, a chauffeur driven tour to a choice of local producers and LucyCooks Cookery School and the Keith Floyd Cookery Theatre at Linthwaite House Hotel, Windermere, hold a range of courses and demonstrations.
eating out is definitely on the menu
Cafés and tearooms
From thirst quenching cups of tea to tempting homemade cakes and sandwiches that are bursting at the crusts, Cumbria's cafés and tearooms provide a truly satisfying experience. Why not try the cyclists favourite, Wilf's Café in Staveley or the wholesome tearoom at The Watermill at Little Salkeld, Penrith. Or there's Greystone House Farm Shop and Tearoom at Stainton, a Rick Stein Food Hero. Hazelmere Café in Grange-over-Sands and Armathwaite Hall Hotel, Keswick are both members of the prestigious UK Tea Guild.
Inns and Gastropubs
With a fantastic reputation for food and drink, and many offering top quality accommodation as well, the Lake District's inns and gastropubs are not to be missed.
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Fine Dining
Cumbrian food really reaches its pinnacle in our three Michelin starred restaurants, Holbeck Ghyll, L'enclume and Sharrow Bay. In divine surroundings, your experience will combine exceptional service with exquisite dishes prepared by outstanding chefs and complemented by fine wines. Every holiday should have a little bit of extravagance and this is where you'll find it, in one of the few areas outside London to have so many Michelin stars.
Holbeck Ghyll, Windermere
L'enclume, Cartmel
Sharrow Bay, Ullswater
