welcome to the taste district...

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, real ale to damson gin.  As well as there being so many specialities to try, there are so many places to try them.  Whenever you come to the Lakes, make sure you're hungry.

 

What's on offer

Pubs, inns & breweries

Cumbria has an impressive collection of real ale pubs, inns and a variety of independent local breweries.

pubs & inns
breweries in cumbria

 

Restaurants & producers

World-class cuisine and superb local produce - Cumbria is all about taste, skill and quality.

restaurants
producers

 
 

Cafés & tearooms

Coffee & cake, tea & scones, just try reading this without your mouth watering - and there's lots to try.

cafés & tearooms
the tea trail

 

Retailers & cookery schools

There are hundreds of quality food shops and lots of courses that can teach you how to cook it.

food shops
cookery courses

 
 

Local produce, trails & tours

Farmers' markets

Authentic local produce, direct to your plate.

farmers' markets

 
Water

The water in the Lake District is very soft, and makes for wonderful drinking water.

local bottled water

 
Cumberland sausage

Easy to recognise because, unlike other British sausages, it is not linked, but long and coiled, and sold by length or weight.
cumberland sausage

 
The Natural Producers

Our farm shops only sell what's in season, providing you with everything fresh from field to fork.

natural producers

 

A foodies tour of the region

Using this map
The red coloured areas on the map indicate the location of the food & drink establishments listed on this website. The darker the colour the more establishments there are in that area.
This text is replaced by the Heximap.
 
 

More about this image

Bar at The Drunken Duck Inn, Clappersgate near Ambleside

Taste District eMagazine

The Taste District eMagazine cover

With articles, prize draw, special offers and northwest events, take a look at the first edition of the new Taste District eMagazine.

Go to our e-newsletter sign up page and tick food and drink if you'd like to be the first to hear about each new edition.

View the 2010 guide

 The Taste District pocket guide features listings, maps and useful food and drink information. Look out for your free copy.

download the 2010 guide

What's on?

There are lots of food and drink events, courses and workshops throughout the county.

food and drink what's on
taste cumbria food festival

Food podcasts

Cumbria Tourism Awards

The Cottage in the Wood, winners of 'Taste of Cumbria Award 2010'