The Punch Bowl Inn, Crosthwaite

The Punch Bowl Inn is a charming spot with delicious food and very good service. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and they even provide coloring sheets for children, which is a nice detail. The children’s menus are homemade and carefully prepared, and everything we tried was excellent. The cheese soufflé was outstanding, and the cheesecake was just as delicious. It’s definitely worth the detour. Highly recommended!

Fabulous evening spent at The Punchbowl. Superb dinner and service. The food was amazing, superbly presented and bursting with flavour. The cheese soufflé and steak were particularly outstanding. All the staff made us welcome and provided an excellent service. Thank you

We love this hotel. We were booked into Danson which is a room with fine views across the valley. It is double height - very spacious and comfortable. We arrived to a cream tea and dinner was delicious. The calve’s liver was just perfect and my wife enjoyed her fish. The restaurant was busy but very relaxing. Service was efficient and friendly. Alas, I was unwell with a recurring issue and we had to curtail our visit, but the staff could not have been more helpful and caring. We look forward to returning.

Absolutely loved our stay in Noble, with its two baths overlooking rolling fields and the churchyard, it's a wonder we left the room at all! The restaurant was spectacular and the food to die for. Excellent service from the staff at the restaurant and wonderful Judith on the front desk, who couldn't do enough for us. Thank you all for a wonderful stay.

We had a fantastic two night break at The Punchbowl. The room was comfortable, clean and well appointed. The bathroom was spacious and had a walk in shower and a roll top bath that was ideal for a soak after our long walk. The complimentary cream tea on arrival was delicious, the best scones that we have ever had! Dinner in the evening was amazing, we have always enjoyed the food at The Punchbowl but it seemed to have reached a new level, we were in food heaven, we especially enjoyed the souffle for dessert. The staff had the perfect blend of friendliness and professionalism, always finding time for a quick chat despite being busy. A special mention to Maria, Gemma and "Ethel" for looking after us. Looking forward to our next visit aleady!!

Attention to detail at the establishment was excellent. ||Everything about this place was fabulous from the attitude of the staff to the quality of the rooms and cleanliness. The unexpected free cream tea was a nice surprise aswell though (possibly) not a regular one?| The decor in the rooms was quality and we both had a good uninterupted nights sleep in what was a quiet room.| Breakfast really was quality and really enjoyed.| It is my new fave place to stay and one which I intend to bring my family to next time I visit.| Almost forgot.....Bowness down the road is fabulous and The Punch Bowl is a great base to visit from.

We enjoyed the most fantastic meal the evening after swimming the Great North Swim. Expensive but worth it for the exceptional quality and taste! Just one criticism, the barman was surly, bad tempered and unfriendly. Such a shame, but other than that everything was perfect, the ambiance wonderful, the setting & decor tasteful and the remainder of the staff courteous and attentive.

This used to be one of our favourites. Such a shame on our last visit the standards have dropped, but the prices have gone up! My cod was incredibly salty that I couldn't even taste the cod. The mini fishcake that came with it was flavourless, and the potato was just plain potato. My partners dish was quite bland and dry, very small portions now. Unfortunately the prices have kept going up but the quality has declined. This used to be our go to when visiting the lakes, but it seems it's not what it used to be which is a great shame. We won't be returning.

The food, service, and atmosphere were all superb! I had a delicious cheese soufflé, which was out of this world.

Everything about the Punchbowl will delight you! The rooms are superbly decorated, spacious and comfortable. The food is special (you might as well book dinner for every night you are there IMHO). And the staff is fantastic--friendly and accommodating. I'd return in a split second with any opportunity!

Situated just outside Kendal, the Punch Bowl offers excellent food in either the lounge/bar area or the more formal dining room area. They also have 9 very appointed bedrooms decorated to a high standard. In the summer months you can sit outside taking in the beautiful surroundings. There is ample free parking available.

This place is stunning - lovely setting in an unspoilt valley close to Windermere, gorgeous food and wine and comfortable rooms done up to a high standard. First visited when our friends got married here and have been back for my 30th birthday since. The lunch menu offers great value for excellent food, and their wines by the glass are all good quality. An evening meal for two with wine could move the Punch Bowl into the "expensive" category, but when you compare the quality of food with the price of a main course, you have to say it's still great value. The rooms are pricey*. For these reasons, I've given it 3 out of 4 for price. I'd strongly recommend this place if you're planning any kind of special occasion (or if you have money burning a hole in your pocket). = (although the cottages to let just over the road allow you to enjoy the restaurant and bar without paying over the odds for accommodation)

We were staying up the road and the proprietor of our B&B recommended we come here for dinner. I'm so glad we did because the food was absolutely incredible. I had the steak & ale pie and I loved every last bite of it. Truly one of the great meals of my life. Go here!

We came here for dinner to cap off a great weekend in the Lakes. We made a reservation for a Sunday night, though honestly it wasn't terribly busy in the restaurant (though the bar picked up a bit). Servers were very friendly about letting us enjoy a drink for a while before ordering. My fiance and I split the deep-fried salt and pepper squid and whitebait, which were very tasty, hot, and crispy. For a main, I went with the chicken stuffed with brie and wrapped in bacon, which was on the specials menu. On the menu, it said it was accompanied by sun-dried tomatoes and a rocket salad. When my meal came out, there was no rocket salad or tomatoes, and I couldn't find any brie in the chicken. It looked pretty unappetizing. I spoke with a server, who said she'd check and make sure it was the right dish (they have chicken wrapped in bacon, no brie, on the main menu - that's what it looked like). I had some bites of everyone else's food while I waited (she took my plate), and they were all delicious. The beef stew, like a beef bourginon, was great. And the steak and ale pie was really divine. Totally elevated version of simple food. The server came back and said they were sorry my food hadn't been served with what it said it came with on the menu, and that the chef was going to make the dish again with more brie. She said it was the right dish, but they were doing it again to make it better. I didn't even want it anymore after having the beef, and indeed the dish was disappointing. So salty, chicken wasn't especially juicy, the dish was dry and dull compared to everyone else's. However, given my long wait, I didn't have to pay for it which was nice of them. The servers were super apologetic and kind about it. They also brought an extra free side of vegetables for me, which I appreciated. Dessert made me happy again, as the sticky toffee pudding was absolutely fabulous. Just a perfect dessert. I'd definitely return if we were in the Lakes again, but I'd stick to beef, something stewy with a sauce. I think without sauce, the meat that they cook is pretty dry. But service is great, dessert is exceptional, and it's a nice cozy space to have a meal.

Have used the Punch Bowl on a regular basis to visit relatives in the area, never disappointed, the service and rooms are always first class. Check their website for the late bookings for good offers. This week we had 2 nights and saved monies plus a bottle of Champagne was on ice in the room waiting for us. No make your own tea or coffee in the rooms just dial 30 and room service is there for you anytime day or night.It must be good as Samia Ghadie and Will Thorp were there, having a break from the "Rovers Return"

I stayed in Crosthwaite this September and had 3 lunches and a breakfast at the Punch Bowl. Overall I was very satisfied. Staff polite friendly and attentive. Beers cold and well kept. Food- quirky and original. Their chips are cooked twice somehow. The result is un-usual and delicious. The meat is amongst the best I have tasted sourced from an award winning local butcher and cooked with great skill and care. It is not cheap but well worth it for a treat. Dogs welcome in the bar area and adjacent dining are just not in the main dining room.

Chanced across this by accident, while looking for a dog friendly pub (they even have doggy treats in a pot on the bar). Didn't actually eat but the menu looked good.