Hannah’s guidebook
Food scene
Beautiful small medieval village with a huge range of activities. Packed with cafes, pubs and restaurants with a range of mouth-watering local flavours.
Cartmel Priory is a must-see with rich heritage and Cartmel Racecourse is fun for a good day out. You can also take a stroll through the woodland behind the racecourse and carry on to Holker Hall.
Things to do:
Cartmel Priory, Lakeland Segway, The Friesian Experience, Cartmel Races (9 race days per year), walk through the forest to Holker Hall.
The closest pubs are all located in Cartmel, 2 miles away. You will come across the Pig and Whistle first but if you wander into Cartmel Square will find several more.
Our favourites include:
Pig and Whistle: A traditional oak-beamed pub with beer garden situated on the outskirts of Cartmel. Fantastic seasonal food.
Cavendish Arms: 450-year-old coaching inn just off the main square in Cartmel. Incredible selection of gins and delicious food. There is a good outdoor area where you can sit next to the river Eea, which runs through Cartmel.
Unsworth’s Yard: An absolute favourite of mine. Opposite the beautiful Priory, Unsworth’s Yard has it all, including a Cheese Shop, Wine Shop, Craft Brewery, Tapas restaurant and Pizza restaurant. Most of the seating is outside with heaters and blankets - plus there is cover.
You can order from any of the stores and take it to your table to eat and drink. The pizzas are not to be missed and we love the array of wines, spirits and cocktails.
On busy weekends make sure you are there early to grab a spot. There is sometimes live music at weekends, which makes for a great atmosphere.
Other pubs to try in Cartmel: Priory Hotel, The Royal Oak and The Kings Arms.
Restaurants:
The Pig and Whistle and Cavendish Arms both do incredible food – so good options if you want a gastro pub experience, with a laid-back feel.
L’Enclume: Simon Rogan’s iconic restaurant in the heart of Cartmel. If you’re a foodie and love culinary creativity this is the one for you. The price point is higher though and you will need to book (sometimes far) in advance.
L’Enclume holds two Michelin stars, five AA Rosettes and was named the number one restaurant in the UK by The Good Food Guide 2020.
Expect the best seasonal and local ingredients. Vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers grown on Rogan’s farm, take centre stage, along with the finest produce from the surrounding Cumbrian countryside.
Rogan and Co: Another dining experience from Simon Rogan, described as a ‘relaxed neighbourhood restaurant’. Awarded its first Michelin Star in October 2018. Carefully sourced ingredients from trusted growers across Cumbria.
Again, please make sure you book in advance. Price point is at the higher end.
61 recommandé par les habitants
Cartmel
Beautiful small medieval village with a huge range of activities. Packed with cafes, pubs and restaurants with a range of mouth-watering local flavours.
Cartmel Priory is a must-see with rich heritage and Cartmel Racecourse is fun for a good day out. You can also take a stroll through the woodland behind the racecourse and carry on to Holker Hall.
Things to do:
Cartmel Priory, Lakeland Segway, The Friesian Experience, Cartmel Races (9 race days per year), walk through the forest to Holker Hall.
The closest pubs are all located in Cartmel, 2 miles away. You will come across the Pig and Whistle first but if you wander into Cartmel Square will find several more.
Our favourites include:
Pig and Whistle: A traditional oak-beamed pub with beer garden situated on the outskirts of Cartmel. Fantastic seasonal food.
Cavendish Arms: 450-year-old coaching inn just off the main square in Cartmel. Incredible selection of gins and delicious food. There is a good outdoor area where you can sit next to the river Eea, which runs through Cartmel.
Unsworth’s Yard: An absolute favourite of mine. Opposite the beautiful Priory, Unsworth’s Yard has it all, including a Cheese Shop, Wine Shop, Craft Brewery, Tapas restaurant and Pizza restaurant. Most of the seating is outside with heaters and blankets - plus there is cover.
You can order from any of the stores and take it to your table to eat and drink. The pizzas are not to be missed and we love the array of wines, spirits and cocktails.
On busy weekends make sure you are there early to grab a spot. There is sometimes live music at weekends, which makes for a great atmosphere.
Other pubs to try in Cartmel: Priory Hotel, The Royal Oak and The Kings Arms.
Restaurants:
The Pig and Whistle and Cavendish Arms both do incredible food – so good options if you want a gastro pub experience, with a laid-back feel.
L’Enclume: Simon Rogan’s iconic restaurant in the heart of Cartmel. If you’re a foodie and love culinary creativity this is the one for you. The price point is higher though and you will need to book (sometimes far) in advance.
L’Enclume holds two Michelin stars, five AA Rosettes and was named the number one restaurant in the UK by The Good Food Guide 2020.
Expect the best seasonal and local ingredients. Vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers grown on Rogan’s farm, take centre stage, along with the finest produce from the surrounding Cumbrian countryside.
Rogan and Co: Another dining experience from Simon Rogan, described as a ‘relaxed neighbourhood restaurant’. Awarded its first Michelin Star in October 2018. Carefully sourced ingredients from trusted growers across Cumbria.
Again, please make sure you book in advance. Price point is at the higher end.
Neighbourhoods
A small village with one of the best places to eat!
A modern take on British food using a wealth of locally reared and farmed produce in its dishes. Definitely worth booking ahead.
High Newton
A small village with one of the best places to eat!
A modern take on British food using a wealth of locally reared and farmed produce in its dishes. Definitely worth booking ahead.
Sightseeing
A beautiful country house, with café/restaurant and various festivals/markets running throughout the year. You can find Holker Hal near Cark, on the other side of Cartmel.
Great food and gardens to wander around
49 recommandé par les habitants
Holker Hall et Jardins
A beautiful country house, with café/restaurant and various festivals/markets running throughout the year. You can find Holker Hal near Cark, on the other side of Cartmel.
Great food and gardens to wander around
Outdoor attraction with a range of activities, from mini-golf and ziplines to kayaking, treetop nets and archery. Make sure to book in advance.
67 recommandé par les habitants
Brockhole
Outdoor attraction with a range of activities, from mini-golf and ziplines to kayaking, treetop nets and archery. Make sure to book in advance.
Family Fun
Take the steamer across the Lake to Cumbria’s favourite spots and miss out on the traffic.
Stopping at Lakeside, Bowness, Ambleside, Brockhole House and Gardens, you’ll be spoilt by the scenery along the way.
The closest place to pick up the steamer from Pheasant Lodge is at Lakeside. There is parking here so you can leave your car for the day.
Check the timetables in advance.
Lakeside Windermere Landing (Pier) station
Take the steamer across the Lake to Cumbria’s favourite spots and miss out on the traffic.
Stopping at Lakeside, Bowness, Ambleside, Brockhole House and Gardens, you’ll be spoilt by the scenery along the way.
The closest place to pick up the steamer from Pheasant Lodge is at Lakeside. There is parking here so you can leave your car for the day.
Check the timetables in advance.