Reviews in Penrith

I like this place overall. However the down sides are that it lacks soul and the rooms are overpriced for what they are. It's situated near Penrith and the refurbishment of the pub was a big one. It has the modern/rustic feel that the new generation of pubcos have. Unique in the area but becoming formulaic now. The menu is small and tight with most bases covered and we enjoyed our food. The service was professional and friendly too. We didnt like the rooms particularly. They were small and soulless. The top room was £145 and represented the worst value of our 4 day trip around the lakes. The George and Dragon is owned by the Lowther family and you would have thought that would get you free entry into the castke nearby, rather than the £5 entry fee. The whole vibe was very much a business rather than a homely labour of love. In short I would eat there however there are many better places to stay nearby and in much better locations.

Great coffee and scones here in the middle of a castle!

Ohhh what a place to eat. We come to the Lakes twice a year for a nice break and always visit The George and Dragon now, when we are here. It has never let us down on service and lovely food. I have to say the chocolate Pot is something i always finish my meal with and will do everytime, if it stays on the menu.. I will be visiting The George and Dragon weekend 5th August and cant wait.. X

Quite a good meal with my wife. Service was slow but the staff were friendly and Angela very helpful, young drinkers unfortunately ruined the atmosphere with bad language & rude behaviour later on in the evening. Would prefer to sit in the bar like we have on previous occasions to eat as the restaurant isnt the cosiest even though it has just been refurbished and the bar has a lovely log fire & old fashioned features. Desserts were a let down for me as they were not homemade as before but still an ok quality just lacking the wow factor to finish off on.

Popped in for an early evening meal, a little disappointed to hear the young couple who have had it left in January, however the meal was nice & service ok too. The food isn't quite as specialist as before so if you are more of a foodie & you have been before you will notice a big difference, just not as rustic & homemade as the previous offerings but nice all the same.

Enjoyed my lunch here yesterday! Great spot, may stay the night next time.

All food on menu is from the pub owner's farms, and that's easy to spot in the quality of the dishes they serve. Great food and reasonable prices, service is polite and discreet... and they have roaring fires! Highly recommended, try the sausage and mash or the beef pie. Didn't try any of the beers but they had a decent selection on.

Had a great lunch for 6 here last Friday. The food was excellent and all enjoyed their choices. Service was very professional too. I always like it when a table is served or cleared mob handed by the front of house staff in an instant. Leaving the table to continue its conversation. Would like to return and try the ales too and perhaps stay the night.

Lovely friendly cafe, a bit unsure from the outside, but really surprised at the extensive menu. Our favourite cafe in Penrith and we've tried them all!!

Food served ***** Food available from menu *** Rooms*** Shower ** Service ***** We ( 2 couples)stayed for a three night break and were more than pleased with the overall standard but must say that the range of available dishes decreased as the days went on. Breakfasts were excellent but the evening selection was limited. However, the service was first class, with Shona in particular being willing to put herself out to help with any and all requests. We would certainly stay here again.

I am so surprised that there are no reader reviews for this truly exceptional pub/restaurant. Several newspaper reviews have been made and awards made. Me and my Wife found this place on sugarvine and went to the George and Dragon's excellent website with video and stopped off on the way up to Scotland a few weeks ago. The location is ideal for those travelling north or south on the M6 in cumbria, carlisle region. The ambience - stunning, truly tranquil with real fires in the pub and reception and in the restaurant. Several dogs were lazily sprawled in front of the fires, truly welcoming ambience. The staff - very well presented, welcoming and relaxed. They made conversation yet also respected your privacy. Food service was excellent. THE FOOD - What a treat. We selected Pauls Double baked cheese souffle and Pan Fried Mackerel Starter - both truly devine. The cheese souffle is the chef's signature dish, this is a very strong flavour and milk pudding like texture, so choose your main wisely following this starter. The main - we both had the most fabulous burger beautifully presented with salad garnish - Shorthorn Beef Burger from beef sourced form the estate nearby. You probably won't need side orders with the shorthorn burger - very filling and satisfying. We didn't go for dessert but promised ourselves we would be back for a full treat three courses and hopefully some wine next time. While there we were very patiently shown all the available accommodation - lovely accommodation in nice location. Staff were honest and stated which rooms would be affected by the noise of the extractor of the kitchen. Accommodation was over-priced for us, but probably worth it if you want a lovely weekend away with access to fabulous food and drink on site. Worth considering for a short break. TRY THIS PLACE - YOU WON'T REGRET IT - A GREAT STOP OFF FROM THE M6MOTORWAY

Enjoyed an excellent Ploughmans platter for lunch at this country pub. Would like to return at night and sample that menu too!

Had an excellent Sunday roast at the Mardale Inn. I was particularly impressed with the quality of beef. The pub itself has a modern feel but still retains its rustic charm. If you are a dog lover then its the place for you. oh and the blokes loos have fine artwork on view!

We visited on 24/10/09 at 6pm. Bar was just staring to fill up. Nobody was attending the restaurant desk. After a short wait - we were seated. Food was quick to come out. Food was nothing special -however the prices were. Service was impersonal. Prices too high. Seems to be a popular spot. Car park is always full. Good selection of lagers / beers and wines.

I really enjoyed my meal at the black swan, I would recommend anyone to go!

I particularly enjoyed that fact that I was aware of the use of local produce in each dish served to us. The fact that it is homemade also speaks for itself the fresh taste in the dishes jumped out at me - something that is very rare in the eateries in the area, usually you are left with frozen chips & a pathetic slither of meat that people have the cheek to call a steak, but I must say it is the best steak I have eaten - fantastic, thick juicy sirloin. There was even a list of farms on the blackboard so you knew where the beef came from. Personally I think they have the food just right here, a great mixture to suit most tastes. Service was very good & efficient but perhaps the some of the staff could be a little more friendly! The lady in charge of front of house could not of been more helpful, the perfect host.

My husband and I arrived at the George & Dragon on Sunday (August 9) at 2.10pm for Sunday lunch. The board outside stated that lunch was served until 2.30pm, but, after waiting a couple of minutes for the receptionist to finish chatting with another member of staff, he informed us that we were, in fact, too late for lunch. I reminded him that their board said 2.30, but he simply said that we were too late! Very poor service!! Please change the board outside!!!

when we went in they had the bull fighting on the Tv. we politley asked them to turn it off as it was upsetting a few of our party. they refused to turn it off and after a while we asked again they refused again and a few of our party had a quiet word they refused and said they would not turn it off it was their house and if you where in someones house you would not ask them to turn their tv off. this was very upsetting for us.