Boathouse Tea Rooms in Carlisle

Walked in to find it too overcrowded. No where to sit and the tables that was empty was dirty and not cleared away from previous customers. Not only that but cafe staff just looked at us as if we had two heads. Won't be returning any time soon.

Basic menu but it's not supposed to be fancy, however good is of a good standard

This is a lovely cosy cafe, food is lovely, however you can't sit inside unless you like dogs because there are literally dogs everywhere and even if you sit outside dogs come up to your table sniffing at your food, the owners don't even watch what they are doing, please remember dog owners that not everyone likes them and especially not coming up to there food

Fast friendly service. Bought 2 lattes and large cookies. The cookies were delicious and tasted like homemade. There are places to sit both inside and out, with outside having a little canopy to keep you protected from showers or when the sun is blazing and you need a bit of shade while you enjoy the weather and view.

Coffee far too hot to scolding. Pasties extremely hot to burning your mouth. Not good for catering. Park excellent. Parking great.

It seemed clean enough and the staff were friendly. If you're in the area pop in for a quick bite and drink.

Always a pleasure to visit Tea Room for a coffee or delicious ice cream when you’ve done your exercise round the Tarn. The staff are all exceptionally nice and friendly.

Always welcoming a good place for a visit while walking the dog

I lovely 🌹 place to visit while you are in the park..I call in every time I visit Taylor park

Awful experience. Lazy 'cook' couldn't be bothered doing her job despite arriving in good time prior to closing.

Lovely cheese on toast and a brew all served with a smile and great service...thanks 😉

Perfect for a Coffee and a Cake stop! Nice to see its been run by the council now and as such its been invested in

Lemon drizzle cake was best I've ever tasted... Chocolate cake was best my daughter had ever had... We'll be back!

Coffee great not eaten there. Staff lovely

The cheese and toast is absolutely wonderful. Quick service and cheap prices

Lovely just need more choices other than cakes

Lovely little cafe with great coffees.

Very friendly new owners...nice food and coffee for great price... I'm going for the cake next!

The cafe has recently opened by new owners. It closes on Monday and Tuesday. It will be open every day for school holidays. Have recently awarded 5*

Arrived in plenty time for the advertised closing time after a lovely walk round the Tarn, around 15.25. When they confirmed the drinks were take out, we asked to sit in but they stated they were closing at half past. We double checked as we thought it was 4pm but the lady at the till stated they shut at half three as it gets dark and they need to be away before it got dark. We had to sit out and it started to rain. The doors were virtually shut behind us. A family arrived soon after this expecting to get in but it had obviously closed. The young child began to cry! On leaving the area, the sign clearly stated it closed a 4pm. We got two hot drinks, a scone and a tray bake to take out which cost over £11 (to sit in the rain).

Owner is rude and obnoxious would not recommend going not much of a cafe small selection on food and drinks just poor experience overall

Everything about this place is lovely. The veggie pastie mmm and the cuppa , on the mark. A walk and food all excellent including friendly staff. But why oh why is all the trash going into the same two bins?? No recycling to be seen. I hope the trash is sorted once emptied? The type of people that walk here, I am sure would be only too happy to use say two separate bins to recycle plastic and cans at the very least. Also please stop using single use plastic knives.. I hope management read their feedback 🧐

Met my sister there after driving an hour, paid for both our cars in the car park, knew we’d need more than an hour so paid for the only other alternative which was a full day. Walked to the cafe only to find it closed. It wasn’t advertised as closed on the search I did before I went there, so cost well over £5 for nothing. Probably for the best after reading the reviews. Went to the Blacksmiths Arms and has a lovely coffee and sandwich by the open fire so the day was saved

Always call in for a bottle of water and a chocolate bar after a walk always a lovely place..

I take Vinny here everyday we love it.

Nice place to walk around and relax

Such a beautiful spot could so so much better in its cafe facilities. Opening times are short 10.30 til maybe 4pm if your lucky. Coffee, cake and ice-creams are great as a warm up or cool down but for anything more substantial go to nearby Brampton which has a raft of coffee shops or nearby pubs in talkin etc.

Very warm, cosy, warm foods available reasonably priced. Shame there isnt a lot of space inside.

We decided to walk two laps of the tarn today and break the walk with a visit to their snack bar, on arrival we had coffees and hot savouries followed by cakes and they went down a treat. The lady that served us couldn't have been more helpful if she tried. We would certainly recommend this establishment to friends & family.

Modest Boathouse Cafe with indoor seating, outdoor seating and small amount of history to the place.

As local residents we visit the Tarn regularly for a walk with our dogs. Over the years we have repeatedly tried the cafe only to be disappointed every single time.Our last visit was on a beautiful sunny, warm but windy day yet the cafe staff had only managed to set up outside 2 tables in the enclosed (wind free) area that looks like would hold up to 5 or 6.Having entered the downstairs cafe area we found zero customers and a young girl behind the counter texting on her mobile phone. When we asked if she was cooking bacon or sausage rolls, she said no but if we went upstairs we could have some. With that we left and decided to visit Cranston’s in Brampton where they sold us a couple of superb bacon rolls. Couldn’t see the point in opening the downstairs area if they can’t provide a service. A dumb waiter might come in useful here.Sadly the staff at this cafe have no desire to provide decent customer service. It’s a shame because it’s a great location. Perhaps it might be better run privately rather than by the local council.On a previous visit my wife ordered a bacon roll and asked for the bacon to be well done. The staff response from this request was “ we’re very busy so you’ll have to have the bacon how it comes”. Needless to say we didn’t stay to see how it turned out, we simply didn’t order and left.I’ve lost count of the number of times the place has been closed early and I’ve seen potential customers trying the door without any joy.We’ll no doubt try it again at some point when hopefully I might be able to favourably update this review .

A great place to use for an afternoon, after a stroll around the tarn. The homemade cakes and scones are excellent.

Came to the tarn to have a walk with my partner and decided to have a visit to the tearoom I wish we had never bothered From walking in and being ignored by the girl on her mobile who couldn’t be bothered to get off her bum in the back room to serve us To finally getting a cup of coffee and tea and a pack of 2 biscuits for a rip off 7 quid is an experience I will not do again The tea resembled dish water and didn’t taste much better the coffee was disgusting and when I asked for a spoon I was pointed to a tray which had none in when I asked for another I was tutted at for disturbing mobile girl sugar was another issue and when I asked for some was given the icy glare yet again We went out to the balcony and the tables were a disgrace every table was littered with other diners rubbish We chose one less littered and after a few minutes decided to clean up the debris ourselves This place could be a goldmine for any body who has the heart to run it correctly In the future I will be packing sandwiches and drinks until someone takes over the tearoom and runs it like it should be Over all the place is a pigsty and the staff are inattentive if I could Give no marks I would

Went there at 3.35 so not much time before close. Had some delicious lemon meringue pie and some new Fentimins fizzy drinks.

Called yesterday for a lite lunch and we were weren't dissapointed. The soup and most of their main dishes are home made along with their cakes and scones. Not overpriced and the service was first class. Can't wait to go back.

Unbelivable, tasty, locally sourced food. A brilliant selection of homemade cakes, tray bakes, scones etc. Staff are very hard working, polite and willing to give time to customers.Plenty to do such as cycling, walking, kayaking on the Tarn, crazy golf and genral exploring amongst such beautiful nature. Defintely recommended.

A welcoming spot for lunch after walking around the tarn in the rain. Reasonable food for reasonable prices, staff friendly, overall it wasn't anything special though.

Lovely cafe in the park, friendly and helpful staff.

Just returned from the park with my granddaughter. Me and my husband went in the cafe for a drink the person with the red hair was very abrupt and not polite towards customers the lady who got served before me got short changed and when she questioned it the girl with the red hair was very abusive wer is customer service here her attitude was very poor and the customer was right she had short changed her .wen we left the cafe me and my husband reconed our bill and guess what she had over charged me .PLEASE BE AWARE AND CHECK YOUR BILL AND CHANGE .considering this is ment to be church run .

Visited today with 2 children for a light lunch. Although it's the school holidays the tarn was quiet due to the weather. Cafe was only half full just after midday. The cleanliness of the place was a bit of a shock. Every seat around our table for 6 was covered in dried mud. The floor was covered in dried mud, crisps & other remnants of food. The table hadn't been wiped & was covered in crumbs. Now had the place been full & it was several hours into trading I would excuse the state of the floor but it's basic to wipe the tables down ater each customer. I suspect due to the time that there hadn't been any cleaning since the previous day at the very least. The food was very basic & although my soup tasted lovely it was luke warm. The state of the place would put me off returning to the cafe any time soon , although we attend the Tarn regularly.

The best homemade soup i have had in a long time. Complements to the Chef ! A lovely lady who told me she had just made it on the morning of our visit. Thank you we'll see you again soon

Even if you don't plan to trek around the tarn, make sure to visit the café onsite; it's hospitality is second to none.

Still a most disappointing experience in what should be a delightful cafe as it is in a stunning location. However, it remains basic and institutional.

couldn't have been better from service to food to atmosphere for party of 12 I call that very good as everyone was satisfied and complimentary

Autumn sun on your face, autumn colours sitting watching people in dinghies being taught team work.... Lovely walk round tarn to earn a nice coffee and cake. Soup smelled gorgeous.

Lovely place to sit and relax with a drink of any kind. Was fairly busy took the drinks and sat on the balcony watching the world go by as you do! Didn't find the staff overly welcoming but they were busy I guess. Took a fair bit of time to clear the tables was a one off visit doubt I will go out of my way to go back. Thought it was a bit over priced for what you actually got.

We enjoyed our walk around the tarn, and visiting the Bird Hide and the small Exhibition Room. The cafe was a disappointment. They were not very welcoming and the food was uninviting and over priced. We just bought an expensive soft drink, sat on the balcony, enjoying the views, and then left.

On a sunny but bitterly cold morning we walked the dogs around the tarn and sat upstairs on the balcony with the dogs for coffee. The drink and scone were lovely and much appreciated but it would have been wonderful to warm ourselves at the fire in the actual lounge inside. However we were greatful to get the drink with the dogs. The only problem would be the stairs which were something of an effort and presumably, as dogs aren`t allowed inside you would have to go up the outside staircase...a definite no no for mobility problems. We returned on our own another day and enjoyed coffee and cake inside by the fire .Food was good but not cheap. I suppose you get what you pay for.

Had a wonderful walk around the tarn on a recent visit to Brampton. Stopped off as the cafe on the lake and I have to say it was the weakest coffee I have ever been given, more like coloured water, not nice at all. Maybe it was just a bad day as it looked a bit rushed maybe gearing up for the new season to start but was not impressed.

We walk around Talkin Tarn often with our two children and normally stop for a warm drink and some cake to warm us up or on a day like today a ice cream, the drinks basic but there's nothing wrong with it, the cakes are normally a nice treat and the ice cream is lovely. The area is the main reason we go, it's a nice walk in a great area

We had been previously to the little tearoom under the restaurant, and although one of us had to stand because there weren't enough seats for the table, it was ok, with a lovely assistant, decent coffee and a good toasted teacake. However, on our second visit on the 20th January, there were seats, but also dogs at two of the tables so we left immediately. I checked this out later, and although it isn't illegal, and discretional, I ain't eating and drinking where dogs have been. They shed hairs all over the place for one thing, and salivate all over the place. Additionally, dogs are supposed to be on a lead in the park and hardly any were, and one defecated on the verge where kids could tread in it, so with this and the cafe incident I have to ask myself whether this nature park has been taken over by dog owners as a dog park. I won't be going there again.

Called in after a walk around the tarn. We only had tea and cakes and got a seat looking out over the tarn. I don't know when the floor was last swept but it was covered with food and dust, there were flies on the patio doors and a couple of dead ones on the floor. We were there about 40 mins and two tables needed clearing when we got there and still needed done when we left. The 3 staff were sitting in back room when we arrived and were still sitting there when we left, only coming in to serve and return as quickly as possible. This is a shame as this place could be so much better.

Drab decor, institutional food and grudging service. Given the stunning location this could be an amazing little gem of a cafe. Why not do quality Sunday lunch, afternoon tea, coffee and cakes or how about a romantic evening bistro? It could be lovely but it is not. If you fancy something to eat go into Brampton!

Slow service for underwhelming, disappointing food that I'd say was overpriced. A shame for a place in such a beautiful location

Once you have finished your walk this is a fine place to end your time here with some refreshments . Sitting outside on the elevated terrace with a cup of your favorite brew.

Favourite short walk. Always a pleasure. Coffee overlooking the tarn always a treat. We visit the at least once a month and never disappoints.

We arrived about 1.30 pm on a friday, after spending the morning at Carlisle airport museum, hoping for a decent bite to eat. We were very disappionted... the only things to eat were either a bacon or sausage sandwich, 1 portion of soup that was left,2 sandwiches in the fridge, or a sausage roll, which did not look too appertising. I had the sausage sandwich,which was acceptable, and my wife had the soup, which was not that good. Only room for a few inside, but plenty of seats outside. Does have a nice range of ice creams.

Excellent cafe with reasonable prices, very clean,friendly staff,ice ceream a must.Sit in or out,always plenty going on.

The boathouse cafe is a lovely place to have a light meal or an ice cream wile having a rest from walking around the tarn.It has incredible views of the tarn and staff are very friendly

The Boathouse Tea Room is excellent selling home made cakes, sandwiches etc, with lovely views over the Tarn and friendly service

The Boathouse cafe is as the name suggests, in the old converted boathouse overlooking Talkin Tarn. It is in a beautiful location with views over the tarn to the fells beyond, on a nice day you can sit on the large balcony and take it all in while having a drink or snack. The cafe has a monopoly in this popular country park owned and run by Carlisle City Council. It should be so successful, it has the location and people coming every day who would love a nice drink or a snack. So what a waste!