Sugarvine

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The Belsfield Hotel was built in 1845 as the private residence of a prominent local ore miner. It was turned into a hotel in the 1900s and the property boasts fantastic views out over Lake Windermere as well as its own private jetty. The restaurant here is called Moonwaters and is suitably grand in style with imposing chandeliers. The cuisine is traditional British with a three-course Table D'hote menu. The Belsfield's facilities include a heated indoor pool, sauna and extensive conference and wedding suites.

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The Brown Horse at Winster is a pub, restaurant, hotel and farm shop situated in the beautiful Winster valley, not far from Bowness and Windermere. On entering, you head straight into the pub itself, which with its olde worlde feel and roaring fire in winter oozes country charm. To the left is the dining area which has more of an upmarket restaurant vibe. There are bedrooms both upstairs and in the well-appointed new extension, where the rooms have their own individual outside seating areas. The Brown Horse breeds its own animals including pigs, cows, ducks, guinea fowl, chickens and geese as well as growing its own veg. All of this can be bought in the farm shop and of course is used in the kitchen. Signature dishes include starters like Black pudding with quail's egg and Ham hock terrine and mains such as the Home-cured gammon and Aylesbury duck. The wine list is substantial with a choice of 70-odd bins. The Brown Horse caters for weddings and also has free internet access.

Restaurant | Accommodation

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From its position on the eastern shore of Windermere, the Beech Hill Hotel enjoys unparalelled views out over the lake and Coniston Old Man beyond. It's a wonderfully romantic setting for dining and the Beech Hill's two-AA-rosetted restaurant, with its outdoor terrace, does not disappoint. Menus change monthly, using the best of local Cumbrian produce. In summer, you can also 'take tea' down at the hotel's private beach and jetty. The Beech Hill has 58 rooms, each individually decorated, as well as a heated indoor pool, sauna and solarium. Awards | 2 AA Rosettes

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Francine's, on the main road running through Windermere, is a coffee house and tearoom by day and at night transforms into a continental-style restaurant. It's run by a husband-and-wife team with the eponymous Francine front-of-house and husband Graeme (with experience gained at Holbeck Ghyll, The Porthole and on David Bowie's private yacht in the south of France) in the kitchen. Daytimes at Francine's for breakfast, freshly ground coffee or tea with home-made cakes or scones or choose from the extensive lunchtime menu with families welcome. Evenings at Francine's start with complimentary canapes and home-made breads, then choose from the a la carte menu and additions board (seasonal game and seafood including lobster). All the food is freshly prepared and vegetarian and gluten-free diets are catered for.

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Set in 20 private acres of country garden, moor and woodland, Gilpin Lodge sits high above Bowness on the road to Crook, almost opposite Windermere Golf Club. The Cunliffe family first arrived at this Lakeland country house in 1917 and in 1987 turned it into a hotel, now run by two generations of the family. The three-AA-rosetted restaurant is run by Head Chef Russell Plowman and emphasises fresh seasonal produce sourced from within the National Park where possible. Lunch and dinner are served in four dining rooms, each with its own character and style; guests are invited to browse the walk-in wine cellars, and tables are reserved for the entire meal time - there is no rush. The hotel interiors are stylish, comfortable and warm, with a touch of home; the sumptuous bedrooms are individually designed and furnished - some with private gardens and cedarwood hot tubs.Awards | 3 AA Rosettes | Good Food Guide 6

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Just off the main street in Windermere, Jerichos is a multi-award-winning British restaurant run by chef-patron Chris Blaydes and wife Jo. Chris's two-AA-rosette cooking uses the freshest seasonal produce to deliver a small but perfectly formed menu. The restaurant seats just 36 with a choice of four starters and five mains, complemented by a 60-bin wine list. Jerichos has an upmarket feel and accepts bookings for private parties.Awards | 2 AA Rosettes | Good Food Guide 5

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The four-star Lakeside Hotel at Newby Bridge enjoys the ideal location on the southern shores of Lake Windermere. Sumptuously furnished throughout, it retains the warm and welcoming atmosphere of its 17th-century coaching inn origins, whilst offering state-of-the-art pool, spa and conference facilities. Diners have two options -- classic fine dining in the two-AA-rosetted Lakeview Restaurant or the more informal and international menu in John Ruskin's Brasserie & Bar. You can also enjoy a light lunch or snack in the Conservatory, soaking up the splendid views out over Windermere. Awards | 2 AA Rosettes

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Built in 1895 as a private country residence, Langdale Chase stands in six acres of beautifully manicured grounds on the shores of Lake Windermere. It's got one of the longest garden frontages on the whole lake, making it a popular choice for weddings and the hotel has a license to hold civil ceremonies. Langdale Chase is full of character with ornate carved fireplaces, oak-panelled rooms, and an imposing oak staircase with minstrels' gallery. The bedrooms are all individually furnished, some with four-poster beds and jacuzzis, and with one unique room above the boathouse on the lake. Dining in the AA-rosetted restaurant is a romantic experience with candlelit tables and great lake views from the picture windows.

Dining | Weddings | Conferences

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Monties Café enjoys a prime location in Bowness and is part of the Montclare Guesthouse, hence the name. Although the boutique guesthouse has been around for a while, this contemporary café is a more recent addition. It opens its doors at 8.30am for breakfast and one of the specialities is the aptly named Full Monty. Champagne breakfasts are also available. At lunchtime expects sandwiches, toasties, chilli, lasagne and the like. Monties is licensed with ten wines available by the glass. They also do outside catering and provide lunchboxes for walkers or delivery to local businesses. There have a great window seat where you can sit and watch the world go by.

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The Prince of India restaurant is the only Indian restaurant in Windermere. This 38-cover venue is on the first floor of a building on the main drag opposite the Co-op and has been trading now for eight years. It serves traditional Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine and is open seven days a week from 5pm until midnight, including bank holidays. Popular choices include the jalfrezi and the Ghandi's special which come highly recommended for those who want to taste authentic Indian cooking. Set meals are also available for two and four people. The Prince of India also offers a takeaway service (collection only) with a 10% discount on the main menu prices.

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The Queens Head Hotel in Troutbeck is one of Cumbria's most authentic and attractive country inns. It's situated on the edge of the picturesque village of Troutbeck, on the road from Windermere to Ullswater which crosses the Kirkstone Pass on one of the Lake District's most dramatic drives. The Queens Head has been here since Elizabethan times and the place retains many original features, including the famous four-poster bed cum bar. The restaurant and bar area oozes rustic charm with its roaring fires, sepia-toned pictures, stone-flagged floors and agricultural implements. However, the menu has a more high-end restaurant feel about it with classic British dishes like fish pie and fillet steak rubbing shoulders with more unusual fare like South African bobotie. Choose from both a la carte and set menus which are available throughout the day. The Queens Head Hotel also has wonderful four-poster bedrooms with just as much as character as the facilities downstairs.

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The Elleray in Windermere has been around for many years but since May 2008 has undergone a major refurbishment programme under new management. It is a pub/bar, restaurant and hotel which will have a total of six rooms by the end of 2009. The venue has a modern feel but still retains some rustic Lakeland charm with its log fire. The food is traditional pub grub and all the produce is locally sourced with the 16oz T-bone steak the most popular dish. The Elleray has real atmosphere and has the perfect location in the centre of Windermere to access the town.

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This Lakeland pub, hotel and restaurant started life as a small ale house way back in 1689. It owes its unusual name to the sign on the road above the property:
"O mortal man that lives by bread
what is it makes thy nose so red?
Thou silly fool, that look'st so pale,
'Tis drinking Sally Birkett's ale."
Sally Birkett might be long-gone but modern-day visitors can still enjoy a pint in one of the Mortal Man's two cosy bars, complete with log fires and fantastic views out across the Troutbeck Valley. You can snack here in the bars or try the Mortal Man's Garburn restaurant where imaginative menus are based on fresh local produce. The Mortal Man has 12 ensuite rooms, one with its own four-poster bed. Outside there is a beer garden which is a great spot from which to savour the splendid views.

Pub | Restaurant | Rooms

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The Samling enjoys a fantastic location perched above the shores of Lake Windermere. It's set in its own 67-acre estate and the house, now a luxury hotel, dates back to 1780 and was once the home of William Wordworth's landlord. It's a magical place to stay with rooms in both the main building and the original estate cottages, most with lake views. The Samling is open to non-residents for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner and the Michelin-starred restaurant serves a Modern British menu anchored upon local seasonal produce. Signature dishes include starters such as Slow-cooked belly of Gloucester Old Spot, langoustines and celeriac puree and mains like the Fillet of John Dory, kipper tortellini and caper berries. Choose from the dinner menu or the gourmand menu and match the classic cooking with an excellent 180-bin wine list. Awards | 1 Michelin Star | 3 AA Rosettes | Good Food Guide 4

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The Ship Inn at Bowness enjoys an unrivalled location right on the shore of Lake Windermere and just a stroll away from the steamer pier. The large outside seating area is perfect for summer drinking and the traditional pub and restaurant inside directly overlooks the marina and features panoramic views of the lake. Food is served all day and there is a wide range of options including pub classics like Steak & ale pie, a steak selection, the 'catch of the day', pasta, salads and hand-made pizzas. The Ship Inn covers three floors with seating for more than 100 diners. The Quayside Sports Bar has giant TV screens whilst the top floor Wheelhouse Club & Lounge is the Lakes' premier late night venue with a state-of-the-art light and sound system. Live music features at the Ship every weekend.

Food & Drink | Quayside Sports Bar

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The White House is a restaurant, bar and b&b in the heart of Bowness, close to the shores of Lake Windermere. Although it's some 200 years old and was formerly a coaching inn, the interior of the venue is very modern in style. It was completely gutted and refurbished in 2006, although the whitewashed exterior still retains its historic charm. On entering, there is a modern bar with seating and the restaurant is situated amongst the nooks and crannies of the building. Unusually for Bowness, there is a great al fresco area too which attracts the sun all day. All the food on the modern British menu is home cooked from scratch and you can expect starters like goats cheese soufflé and ham's hock terrine with mains such as rump of Lakeland lamb. There is food to suit all tastes with modest prices and a choice of 42 wines. Kids have their own menu and the White House can also cater for functions and parties. As well as all the food and drink on offer, there are six bed & breakfast rooms.