We all love a brew! Be it coffee or tea, there’s something very civilised about stopping for a while, perhaps alone or sitting with a friend, indulging in a quality coffee or tea, perhaps a cake or a light bite, and watching the world go by. We’ve scores of fantastic small businesses throughout Cumbria who excel at providing our dose of caffeine – here’s just a small selection.
Windermere & Bowness
Homeground Coffee & Kitchen in Windermere is something of a must-visit destination. Get to #HG before 10:30am to enjoy a delicious Flat White in a lovely laid-back atmosphere. Orif you like a bustling busy atmosphere, head there for brunch.
Opposite, Cafe Italia occupies a great location at the top end of Windermere and is the place to go for that wonderful European pavement cafe culture. And don’t worry about nippy autumn weather, outdoor knee blankets are provided and there are plenty of outdoor heaters.
Just down the road is Bowness-on-Windermere, which runs right down to the shore of Lake Windermere. Here coffee house culture is superb offering a range of different styles for getting your coffee bean fix. There’s the standard Costa Coffee, and for those that like to support independents, there’s so much choice – Dr Brews Coffee, The Country Hut, to name two. The Choccobar in Bowness is an ideal autumn indulgent haunt and as the name suggests is the place to go for a luxury hot chocolate. Take your thermos with you and they will fill it up for your walk.
Here’s our Windermere and Bowness lodges on some of the nicest lakeshore holiday parks in the UK. See for yourself!
Staveley
You’ll find the friendly cycling crowd at Wilfs Cafe, Staveley. The village of Staveley is a bit of a mecca itself, with places like Wilfs, More? The Artisan Bakery and Hawkshead Brewery & Beer Hall. More? are not your ordinary bakery, they also serve delicious award-winning pastries and quality coffee too
Not only are the coffee and cakes at Wilfs, but their famous veggie chilli is perfect after a day on the fells.
Staveley sits at the entrance to the Kentmere valley, which is the cycling capital of the Lake District, where the route to Kentmere village is not to be missed for anyone into cycling. For walkers, the Kentmere Horseshoe is a classic ridge walk.
Staveley is only a 15-minute drive from Bowness and Windermere where you can choose from the best selection of lodges in the south Lakes.
Farrer’s Coffee and Shop, Kendal
Kendal
Head to the bustling market town of Kendal, to find Farrer’s of Kendal, home to the Lake District’s longest-established coffee brand. The black Edwardian facade is the entrance to one of the oldest coffee roasting merchants in the UK and you can smell this heritage as soon as you step inside. Within the shop and cafe, there’s a wall of coffee beans to choose from, including all strengths and a variety of bean types. We like the Westmorland Blend.
For home comforts and great food, the ‘canteen’ Baba Ganoush in Kendal is a must. The food and drinks are excellent, but the style is laid-back, with a focus on hearty, slow-cooked dishes. It is daytime only eatery, the prices are very reasonable and there’s no waiting around for your nosh. Check out the blackboard for seasonal temptations and if you’re wanting something on the go, their takeaway soups are a perfect autumn warmer whilst you explore the market town of Kendal.
Brew Brothers on the main high street in Kendal is another quirky food stop – great hot and cold drinks and freshly made light lunches and hearty bowls. Great for friends gatherings.
Comida opposite Brew Brothers is a Cumbrian version of a Spanish tapas restaurant, with lots of lovely bites and drinks to try, a relaxed atmosphere and is open into the early evening.
Ambleside
So many to choose from in Ambleside! The Apple Pie is a long-established, family-run traditional cafe, open from 9am every day. The Rattle Ghyll Deli stock 3 brands to take home, from highly rated roasters From Coniston, Redbank Roasters. From Lancaster, Atkinsons, provide Tea and Coffee. From Kendal, Rinaldos, supplying the lovely Casa Espresso, along with a couple of others, including Decaf.
Down at Waterhead you’ll find some lovely hotels serving posh coffee and nibbles – the Waterhead and the Waters Edge; and also the little WatersEdge Coffee Shop right on the lake.
Out at Skelwith Bridge you’ll find the ever-popular Chesters by the River, with superb coffee and homemade cakes, as well as a plethora of delicious lunch choices. Open all day.
We hope we’ve warmed you up ready for an Autumn break here in the Lakes. Browse our lodges here.
