Askham Hall Kitchen Garden Cafe

Historic building and fascinating flower and kitchen gardens that have been restored to their former glory and magnificence. Now a restaurant with rooms (with a Michelin Star), it also has a very special café that draws on the Lowther Estate's wide range of organic and rare breed produce. Same ownership as George & Dragon, Clifton and Queen's Head in Askham (see Epicurean).

Cartmel Village Shop

The little shop in the picturesque square at Cartmel has a phenomenal following for its famous sticky toffee pudding; lauded by food and travel programmes alike. There are more strings to the bow here, with a delicatessen shop carrying umpteen cheeses, Lake District preserves, Lyth Valley damson and sloe gins and liqueurs and baskets full of other delicacies.

Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop & Cafe, Kendal

A fusion of the foods and creative outpourings of Cumbrian producers on one site. The farm shop stocks cheeses, smoked and rare-breed meats, game from local estates, home-made preserves, Furness honey and Lyth Valley damson products. Great little cafe and gallery in The Shed and a 2-mile farm trail to explore.

Lovingly Artisan Bakery, Kendal

Discerning bread lovers should beat a path to baker Aiden's door for hand-crafted and unusual artisan breads made from organic flour from Northumberland. You'll find the bakery in a converted barn at the Lakeland Food Park on the edge of Kendal. Enjoy coffee, chat and food talk up to 3.00pm when is time to close the shop. Baking workshops too.

Courtyard Dairy, Austwick

Award-winning affineur Andy Swinscoe's knowledge of cheese is epic. His enthusiasm is completely infectious and of course you can try before you buy. The range is enormous and includes the likes of Stichelton, Tunworth Camembert, Hafod Cheddar and of course a fabulous variety of local cheeses. Cheesemaking courses, excellent cafe and adjoining museum telling the history of cheese-making in Britain.

The Churchmouse at Barbon

In addition to finding a village store and deli selling a wide range of cheeses and local artisan goodies and a great cafe, Churchmouse are famous for their tiered Wedding Cake Cheeses - well worth a visit and Barbon is a delightful village at the foot of the Middleton Fells.

Kitridding Farm Shop, Kirkby Lonsdale

A family run 350-acre farm that is well known locally for the quality of its livestock. The shop stocks farm-reared beef and lamb, and local pork, and there's a cafe too, all set in beautiful rolling countryside.

Farrar's Tea & Coffee House, Kendal

From 1819, when John Farrar started the family specialist tea and coffee merchant business at Stricklandgate, the tantalising aroma of roasting coffee became a feature of daily life in the market town of Kendal. Visit the tearoom to sample the great range of teas and coffees available while enjoying fresh cakes and maybe an exhibition of local art.

Chesters by the River, Skelwith Bridge

In a great spot, just off the main road from Ambleside, this cool, contemporary cafe is set beside the River Brathay and makes the perfect post-walk refreshment stop following a walk up to Skelwith Force waterfall. Refuel on coffee and cake or delicious dishes from the all-day vegetarian menu - best enjoyed on the heated terrace.

Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall, Staveley

You’ve probably supped a pint of Lakeland Gold on your Cumbrian travels, so why not visit the brewery’s state-of-the-art Beer Hall and taste the full range (14 handpumps) of Hawkshead Beers and then buy some bottles to take home. Book a brewery tour - beer is brewed here and at the brewery in Flookburgh.

Sillfield Farm Foods, Kendal

Wild boar is the choice delicacy farmed in the hills above Kendal. Free-range pork in all its guises is the result, with speciality bacon, dry-cured and air-cured hams, pies of various styles and a range of sausages available at their stalls at Kendal and Barrow-in-Furness markets, or online.

Three Hares Deli, Sedbergh

On the narrow high street of Sedbergh and under the same ownership as the Black Bull, James and Nina's fabulous little deli-cum-bakery draws a loyal crowd for fresh-baked sourdough breads and the finest, locally sourced artisan and farm-reared produce - charcuterie, cheeses, condiments and freshly prepared stews and curries. Organic, bio-dynamic, and natural wines from across the globe; alongside tipples from closer to home.

Tebay Services (M6)

Unaware of just how good Tebay Services is, then expect to be wowed by the quality of the home-cooked food served in the Kitchen and the amazing Cumbrian produce in the Farmshop & Butchery - you won't want to leave. Owned and run by a local farming family, meat comes from the farm and produce is sourced from over 70 local producers; there's even a BBQ on the terrace in summer. The perfect pitstop - they also own Gloucester Services if you are travelling the M5.

J&J Graham Grocers, Bakery & Deli, Penrith

Although established in 1793 and looking every inch the old-fashioned grocers it once was, replete with traditional signage and ornate shop windows, this Penrith institution has moved with the times and is now an artisan deli-cum-bakery. Choose from a wealth of Cumbrian goodies (cheeses, charcuterie, chutneys and gingerbread) and decent breads, pies and soups from the in-house bakery.

Rogan & Co, Cartmel

Occupying a prime position in foodie Cartmel, Rogan & Co is the more relaxed sister eatery to fine dining L'Enclume in the village. Expect a short, changing menu that features comfort food made with carefully sourced ingredients from trusted growers in the region, whilst some of them are nurtured by hand on chef Simon Rogan's farm in the Cartmel Valley.

Larch Cottage Nurseries, Penrith

A true Garden of Eden secluded away in the Eden Valley. Romanesque walls, draped with greenery, act as a backdrop for the plant displays bursting with mature stock plants and the Italian-inspired La Casa Verde restaurant. Menus brim with seasonal fruit and vegetables picked from the organic kitchen garden - sit on the verdant balcony and tuck into coffee and cake, a fabulous lunch or afternoon tea.

Unsworth Yard, Cartmel

A unique space in the beautiful foodie village of Cartmel filled with small independent businesses - Cartmel Cheeses, Unsworth Craft Brewery, Mallard Tea Shop, and the Cartmel Drinkshop and Wine Snug. Take a seat in the landscaped courtyard and enjoy your purchases.

The Jumble Room, Grasmere

Living up to its names, this fun, quirky and colourful restaurant has been in Andy and Chrissy Hill's family for over 60 years and you'll feel like guests in their home - it's the ultimate in personal hospitality. The menu focuses on organic, locally sourced ingredients and dishes are cooked with flair and imagination.

Hazelmere Cafe & Bakery, Grange-over-Sands

In a seaside town on the edge of Morecambe Bay, this long-established cafe and fantastic bakery has just about everything going for it - it's well worth the detour for the hand-moulded artisan breads and the traditional Cumberland rum nicky alone. The real treat is the tea selection and the award-winning afternoon teas. Great deli selling local goodies and delicious sandwiches.

Abbott Lodge Jersey Ice Cream, Clifton

A working dairy farm on the Lowther Estate in the beautiful Eden Valley producing over 40 flavours of high quality home-made Jersey ice cream. Converted former calf pens house a cafe where you can enjoy coffee and cake, light lunches and big tubs of the delicious ice cream. Kids can let off steam in the adventure play area.

The Lakes Distillery, Bassenthwaite Lake

The distillery is set within a beautifully renovated old Victorian farmstead on the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake, where the majestic surroundings inspire the artistic ethos in creating fine gin, vodka and whisky. Book a tour and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the distillery, following the spirit’s journey to discover how every flavour possibility is achieved.

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Last updated: 19/03/21