Sunna & Mark’s Lake District guidebook
Food scene
Just next to Crown Cottage in the heart of High Newton is Heft, a former 17th century inn with a fantastic bar serving quality beers and wines, plus a fine dining restaurant to the rear, not to be missed! The bar is open Wednesday to Sunday, and the restaurant Thursday to Sunday. A mobile sourdough pizza company has also started to visit on Wednesday evenings. We were there for the first night and the pizza was lovely!
Check out Heft High Newton on Instagram or their website for the latest news. Booking essential.
Heft
Just next to Crown Cottage in the heart of High Newton is Heft, a former 17th century inn with a fantastic bar serving quality beers and wines, plus a fine dining restaurant to the rear, not to be missed! The bar is open Wednesday to Sunday, and the restaurant Thursday to Sunday. A mobile sourdough pizza company has also started to visit on Wednesday evenings. We were there for the first night and the pizza was lovely!
Check out Heft High Newton on Instagram or their website for the latest news. Booking essential.
The host's local pub, a Lake District institution! Soak in the beautiful views over the Winster Valley while enjoying a pint or the legendary house ribs. Booking recommended, particularly for dinner. The drive along the fell top between High Newton and the Masons is also worth experiencing, offering spectacular views of the Kent estuary, the Winster valley and the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
50 locals recommend
The Masons Arms
The host's local pub, a Lake District institution! Soak in the beautiful views over the Winster Valley while enjoying a pint or the legendary house ribs. Booking recommended, particularly for dinner. The drive along the fell top between High Newton and the Masons is also worth experiencing, offering spectacular views of the Kent estuary, the Winster valley and the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
Another local pub of the hosts, The Hare serves good quality food, has a lovely beer garden and is a great spot for a drink in the evening sun. Located in the picturesque hamlet of Bowland Bridge.
16 locals recommend
Hare & Hounds Bowland Bridge
Another local pub of the hosts, The Hare serves good quality food, has a lovely beer garden and is a great spot for a drink in the evening sun. Located in the picturesque hamlet of Bowland Bridge.
A great place for family dining, The Swan also has one of South Lakeland's prettiest beer gardens, stretching over 50 metres alongside the River Leven.
30 locals recommend
The Swan Hotel and Spa
A great place for family dining, The Swan also has one of South Lakeland's prettiest beer gardens, stretching over 50 metres alongside the River Leven.
Enjoy 3 Michelin star dining in Simon Rogan's L’enclume, one of the UK's finest restaurants. Booking essential.
71 locals recommend
L'Enclume
Cavendish StreetEnjoy 3 Michelin star dining in Simon Rogan's L’enclume, one of the UK's finest restaurants. Booking essential.
Simon Rogan's Michelin starred neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Cartmel village, booking essential.
28 locals recommend
Rogan and Co
Devonshire SquareSimon Rogan's Michelin starred neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Cartmel village, booking essential.
The Gilpin House Hotel is about 20 minutes drive from Crown Cottage but is worth the effort, enjoy an aperitif in the amazing lounge before dining in its Michelin starred signature restaurant, Hrishi. Booking essential.
10 locals recommend
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
Crook RoadThe Gilpin House Hotel is about 20 minutes drive from Crown Cottage but is worth the effort, enjoy an aperitif in the amazing lounge before dining in its Michelin starred signature restaurant, Hrishi. Booking essential.
The Gilpin's second restaurant, Spice, offers a taste of India and the Far East. The hosts love this restaurant - booking essential.
19 locals recommend
Gilpin Spice
Crook RoadThe Gilpin's second restaurant, Spice, offers a taste of India and the Far East. The hosts love this restaurant - booking essential.
Just down the road from Crown Cottage, stop by Yew Tree Barn for a browse and a visit to the excellent Harry's Cafe.
14 locals recommend
Yew Tree Barn, WRS Architectural Antiques, Gallery, Harry's Cafe Bar
Just down the road from Crown Cottage, stop by Yew Tree Barn for a browse and a visit to the excellent Harry's Cafe.
Take a trip a bit further afield to Coniston (about 35 minutes from Crown Cottage). The Blue Bird Cafe is located right next to the boat jetty on Coniston Water. Great for a coffee or a bite to eat, there is also the option to take a boat trip on Coniston. You can choose to get off the boat at Torver Jetty and walk back to the cafe on the lakeside footpath (approx. 3km).
27 locals recommend
The Bluebird Café by the Lake
12 Lake RdTake a trip a bit further afield to Coniston (about 35 minutes from Crown Cottage). The Blue Bird Cafe is located right next to the boat jetty on Coniston Water. Great for a coffee or a bite to eat, there is also the option to take a boat trip on Coniston. You can choose to get off the boat at Torver Jetty and walk back to the cafe on the lakeside footpath (approx. 3km).
Taste the local cider at John Hibbert's Broughton Bank orchard (approx 3 miles from Crown Cottage). See website for further details, search for Broughton Bank Perry and Cider.
Broughton Bank Perry and Cider
Taste the local cider at John Hibbert's Broughton Bank orchard (approx 3 miles from Crown Cottage). See website for further details, search for Broughton Bank Perry and Cider.
Sightseeing
Take a boat trip up England's longest lake, with stops along the way including Bowness, Ambleside and the Lake District visitor centre at Brockholes. Lakeside is just 4 miles from Crown Cottage.
16 locals recommend
Lakeside Pier - Windermere Lake Cruises
Take a boat trip up England's longest lake, with stops along the way including Bowness, Ambleside and the Lake District visitor centre at Brockholes. Lakeside is just 4 miles from Crown Cottage.
Jump aboard the Lakeside and Haverthwaite steam train for a memorable journey to Lakeside, where you can visit the Lakes Aquarium or take a boat trip on Windermere.
69 locals recommend
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
Jump aboard the Lakeside and Haverthwaite steam train for a memorable journey to Lakeside, where you can visit the Lakes Aquarium or take a boat trip on Windermere.
Take the fell road opposite Fell Foot National Trust park and in just 10 mins drive from the cottage begin your short walk up Gummers How. You will be rewarded with spectacular views up Lake Windermere.
35 locals recommend
Gummer's How
Take the fell road opposite Fell Foot National Trust park and in just 10 mins drive from the cottage begin your short walk up Gummers How. You will be rewarded with spectacular views up Lake Windermere.
Fell Foot park is nestled at the southern tip of Windermere, and probably has the largest publicly accessible lake frontage anywhere on the lake shore. Try the activities on offer at the National Trust activity centre, or bring your own paddleboard and swimming costume and jump in! If relaxing is more your thing, there is a large area perfect for picnics. Fell Foot gets evening sun until late so is fantastic during Spring and Summer (just no BBQs!).
96 locals recommend
National Trust - Fell Foot Park
Fell Foot park is nestled at the southern tip of Windermere, and probably has the largest publicly accessible lake frontage anywhere on the lake shore. Try the activities on offer at the National Trust activity centre, or bring your own paddleboard and swimming costume and jump in! If relaxing is more your thing, there is a large area perfect for picnics. Fell Foot gets evening sun until late so is fantastic during Spring and Summer (just no BBQs!).
Visit the lovely village of Cartmel for a browse round the independent shops, and a chance to explore the numerous dining options, including 4 pubs (The Cavendish is our favourite) and 2 Michelin starred restaurants. The walk up to Hampsfell Hospice is highly recommended on a clear day to soak in the spectacular views over Morecambe Bay.
61 locals recommend
Cartmel
Visit the lovely village of Cartmel for a browse round the independent shops, and a chance to explore the numerous dining options, including 4 pubs (The Cavendish is our favourite) and 2 Michelin starred restaurants. The walk up to Hampsfell Hospice is highly recommended on a clear day to soak in the spectacular views over Morecambe Bay.
Try your luck at the races with a visit to one of the most beautiful racecourses in England. Check the racecourse website for race meeting details which typically start towards the end of May and go on throughout the summer.
33 locals recommend
Cartmel Racecourse
Try your luck at the races with a visit to one of the most beautiful racecourses in England. Check the racecourse website for race meeting details which typically start towards the end of May and go on throughout the summer.
Explore Grizedale forest by bike or on foot, including spectacular views of Coniston Water. The tree canopy experience Go-Ape is also based at Grizedale. For mountain bike enthusiasts there are graded red and black runs throughout the forest, bike hire from Biketreks Grizedale. Be aware not all runs may yet be open following the 2021 winter storms so phone the bike shop for details. 30 minutes drive from Crown Cottage.
85 locals recommend
Grizedale Forest
Explore Grizedale forest by bike or on foot, including spectacular views of Coniston Water. The tree canopy experience Go-Ape is also based at Grizedale. For mountain bike enthusiasts there are graded red and black runs throughout the forest, bike hire from Biketreks Grizedale. Be aware not all runs may yet be open following the 2021 winter storms so phone the bike shop for details. 30 minutes drive from Crown Cottage.
Possibly the jewel in the crown of Lakeland villages, beautiful Grasmere is a must visit for views, walks, Wordsworth and the famous gingerbread!
97 locals recommend
Grasmere
Possibly the jewel in the crown of Lakeland villages, beautiful Grasmere is a must visit for views, walks, Wordsworth and the famous gingerbread!
Ambleside is located at the Northern tip of Lake Windermere in the heart of South Lakeland. Whether its a walk round the many outdoors shops you want or something more active, thus pretty town is well worth a visit. Two great walks are Loughrigg fell via Rydal (6 miles), or the truely fantastic Fairfield Horseshoe if you're feeling energetic (11 miles), one of our favourite walks in the Lakes.
Getting there is easy. By car via Bowness its 30mins, or take the relaxing route via a ferry from Lakeside (Ambleside centre approx 1 km from pier). If driving we recommend setting off in good time to avoid traffic.
145 locals recommend
Ambleside
Ambleside is located at the Northern tip of Lake Windermere in the heart of South Lakeland. Whether its a walk round the many outdoors shops you want or something more active, thus pretty town is well worth a visit. Two great walks are Loughrigg fell via Rydal (6 miles), or the truely fantastic Fairfield Horseshoe if you're feeling energetic (11 miles), one of our favourite walks in the Lakes.
Getting there is easy. By car via Bowness its 30mins, or take the relaxing route via a ferry from Lakeside (Ambleside centre approx 1 km from pier). If driving we recommend setting off in good time to avoid traffic.