Caffle House Tearooms Watendleth in Allerdale

As someone said, its certainly worth the trip. Its a long and winding road which some not familiar with narrow upland roads may find challenging. Just treat other drivers with respect on the single track road, and it will get you a long way . The food is served quickly with lashing of tea. Prices are fair. The majority of the seating is out of doors , although there is cover from much of it. Certainly worth a look if you are there.

A lovely location for a coffee shop. I made the mistake of ordering a latte, I didn't realise it was going to be made with instant coffee, that's not happened to me in years. They do real coffee cafetières though, and I know some folk much prefer instant coffee. Flapjack was average. Bring cash as internet is unreliable.

Lovely setting. But the big problem here is there is no consistent opening hours with no website and no social media, so it's pot luck if they are open. We stumbled across this place years ago by accident and they were open and we enjoyed a pleasant coffee and cake. Last week on a dry Friday during half term we walked from the suprise view to this cafe hoping it might be open only to find it was all closed up. There were lots of walkers about trying the cafe gate so I do wonder whether the cafe is even still in operation?

Lovely setting. But the big problem here is there is no consistent opening hours with no website and no social media, so it's pot luck if they are open. We stumbled across this place years ago by accident and they were open and we enjoyed a pleasant coffee and cake. Last week on a dry Friday during half term we walked from the suprise view to this cafe hoping it might be open only to find it was all closed up. There were lots of walkers about trying the cafe gate so I do wonder whether the cafe is even still in operation?

Lovely tea and cakes in a picturesque spot

Awesome leek and potato soup. Perfect cup of tea. A welcome sight after a scenic walk.

A quaint café set in a small secluded garden. Good gluten free options – cake and sandwiches.

Lovely place to take a break while hiking.

We are enjoyed the day and of course we are tried wonderful handmade cakes with coffee ☕️ have met cute residents as birds, highly recommend

My favourite walk in the uk is Watendlath took me 25 years to find now go every year. Directions from Keswick take b5289 borrow dale rd after a-couple of miles on left take c road signed ashness bridge over bridge parking at surprise view fab outlook over Derwent water follow road up hill to tractor track on right after 500m or so go down track to bridge with plack wat-end-lath turn left follow valley path ,great for kids and dogs for a mile or so and over the brow appears a lovely tarn and tea room Easy walk enjoy

Everything homemade and delicious!

The most perfect place for a cup of tea and a warm scone with jam and cream. After a beautiful walk up past Ashness bridge and Surprise view following Watendlath beck up to Watenlath tarn. Staff very friendly, sandwiches, soup and lots of choice of cakes. Seating is all out side but lots of covered areas. Plenty of robins and chaffinches looking for crumbs. Just simply picturesque, so relaxing, and with nature all around you.

A lovely spot for light bite.cheeses & tomato sandwich best ever.A welcome spot on a long walk, location is picturesque. Run by friendly welcoming people.

Nice place to stop when on a long walk. The tea rooms are set in a lovely location and the outdoor seating enhances the beauty. However, not great in the rain.

We stopped off here mid walk for a drink and a slice of cakes - the homemade lemon cake and ginger cake where divine , a perfect stop of point for any walker . Outdoor area with lots of cover , price extremely reasonable for such amazing quality and remoteness . Dog friendly , stunning views and the staff where lovely :) planning another walk this way just so we can stop for cake again

Beautiful little place hidden away at the end of a single track road with some of the most stunning views - well worth the effort! Cakes were delightful and plenty of choice of savoury food too, plus lots of little chaffinches bobbing about hoping for a crumb or two! Very picturesque

Worth the trip. Beautiful setting, lovely homemade food and plenty of outside seating. Popular with walkers and brave cyclists the road up is narrow with passing places. Don't take a campervan! Will visit again.

wij hebben op deze locatie geweldige thee gedronken en ik zou heel graag het merk weten en waar deze thee te koop is. Wij hebben tijdens onze vakantie nergens meer zulke lekkere thee gedronken.Wij komen uit Nederland en gaan dinsdag weer terug. Wij hopen op een reactie!

Well worth the walk, lovely cakes and very welcoming staff.

Fab little place hidden behind the NT car park. I thought scone a bit dry (no currents maybe as in lakes?) but blackcurrant jam lovely with cream. Good choice of drinks, crisps, sweets and other baked foods. Lots of outside seating and drinking tap for thirsty hikers and dogs. Great find after completing 3 fells and wanting a treat! Long narrow lane but passing places.

Beautiful place to visit. Enjoyed our coffee and cake lovely gardens to sit in, and only a minute walk from the tarn.

I walked in hoping to buy local ice cream but they only have one of the big international brands. Why can't they support local business/farmers/cows? I walked out without buying anything.

Came across this little tea room by chance as we were walking in the area, really glad we stopped. Delicious cakes, we had ginger cake and the tea loaf, absolutely delicious, and a large pot of tea and extra hot water.

Excellent tea(2 tea bags) and great coffee and cake/scones.

So annoying to do a long walk and then find this cafe is closed despite the website saying otherwise! Reading previous reviews this appears to happen frequently. It's not difficult to post on your website that you will be closed. You lost a lot of custom today!!

Went for a few hrs fishing and had an amazing coffee with a bacon sandwich So peaceful and tranquil just the sort of place to find yourself

We go to the Lake District every year and this tea shop is one of our "must visit" favourites. This year I brought back a jar of their mixed berry jam. If only they had a website or email address I would tell them how rich and unctuous it is! Better than anything I've tasted. Honestly. So thank you mystery lady, you're the best!

Overpriced and poor quality. Pleasant walled garden in scenic location. Mug of latte £3.50 for instant coffee added to milk in large plastic jug then frothed with steam wand. Sandwiches £3.50 each, choice of ham and tomato or cheese and tomato. Both sliced bread, 3 or 4 slices tomato. Cheese was packet grated, ham cheap formed. No excuse, this isn't a mountain hut, road access, even saw a DPD van. Just price gouging as no competition.

Lovely little tea Room, much needed as a half way break during our fell walk. Prices were pretty good for the lakes and the outdoor seating was lovely and shady perfect to cool down after a three hour hike.

Have walked past the cafe many times but never stopped. Remedied that today and wished I had stopped on other walks. Weather was perfect so ideal for sitting outside. Had a very generous sized pot of tea for one and a delicious slice of Borrowdale Tea Loaf. As had met few walkers on the fells was surprised how busy it was just after 11 a.m. but it is a Bank Holiday weekend. As internet connection poor, owners prefer payment in cash.

Stopped for a pot of tea and a snack as a midway walking point. The locations is lovely and worth a visit. Nice range of teas, coffees, scones and cakes etc. Not sure if you can sit inside, but there are ample tables outside. Watch out for the finches, always after the crumbs on your plate, but lovely to watch. Whilst I think the food and drink is over priced it was nice.

Horrible place Horrible dangerous access road Caffè closed at 3pm on Saturday for no reason literally just when I arrived. They even went passed me and chained the gate but didn't have a courtesy to say "we are closed" £2.5 for 1hr car park in the middle of nowhere?? Save yourself time and money and don't risk your car damaged.

Good pot of tea all be a bit on the expensive side

Nice people, good service but the quality of food and drink was poor. When I ordered a Latte it was relayed as a milky coffee which was then poured into my mug steaming hot from a plastic jug... The same jug poured out the hot chocolates I ordered for my kids a minute later.

Lovely spot we found by accident even though fairly local. Had a welcome ice-cream . Will be returning soon to try the delicious cakes.

This is a lovely little local business at Watendlath offering refreshments. The man behind the counter was very friendly. He gave good measure and served an excellent strong pot of tea, and first-rate locally-baked cake.

Excellent location, sadly the cafe is very disappointing. Overpriced and very poor quality. If you're walking to this area, take food with you. The coffee (instant coffee) was just about palatable if you like Nescafe instant. The food / snacks being served left a lot to be desired. No where near as good as our last visit. A real shame

Nice little place... don't expect luxury .... people very friendly and a beautiful location. If your fishing you can park for free..

We visit this cafe every year on our way from/to Rosthwaite. The frothy coffee was lovely but alas the scones were nowhere near as nice on our visit last week. Mein host could do with cheering up to. Very business like but not one for greeting customers or engaging in small talk. Lovely spot though

We’ve been here many times, in all weathers, and thankfully it’s usually been open. Resolutely unmodernised, serving large mugs or pots of tea, hot chocolate and coffee (though don’t expect fancy cappuccino here..), and big slabs of delicious home-made cakes and flapjacks. Loads of space on picnic tables outside surrounded by shrubs, traditional stone walls and with views out onto the tarn or Watendlath Beck, though occasionally in the winter and pre-Covid we’ve been able to shelter in the low ceilinged and beamed rooms inside. It’s an institution, has changed little, and still offers welcome respite or sustenance whether on the classic circuit taking in Rosthwaite, Watendlath valley and Lodore, descending from Dock Tarn or heading up onto the higher fells to the east, and the hamlet’s setting is sublime.

You can never tell whether or not this place will open - they don't publicise opening times and seem to open and close on a whim. We visited as part of a long walk, having been told by someone we met en route that they were open - as we sat down (they could see us clearly) at 2.30 in the afternoon, they put up the closed sign! Even if they are open the food and drink are mediocre at best - limited range of sandwiches and not very interesting cake. There are pretty places to sit and eat your own food - will always do that if I pass that way in future.

The tearoom was closed on the day we went (probably because of the flood) but the scenery around is AMAZING. There is a path going right and left from the rocky bridge. I saw walkers and bikers going up on the left path. Public toilets on the carpark. Definitely worth the drive on this narrow road. This place is so dreamy, the whole road is marvellous, just felt like we were in a movie set. The shades or orangey tones is just exceptional, feeling blessed that I got to see it.

Brilliant refreshment stop on our circular walk from Bowderstone. Soup and roll served quickly and flapjack highly recommended.

We didn't have any food,but the pot of tea had two tea bags and it came with a jug of hot water

What a little gem, sitting in a small hamlet, an oasis during a long hot walk. A pot of tea, a cappuccino and a can of fizzy drink for £8. There is no indoor seating here, just a large outdoor area, but with lots of cover if it's raining, or scorching with bright sunshine. The staff were friendly. Toilets provided by the NT in the car park.

This family run tea room has been operated by the same family for years. It is open again and has adapted to the Covid rules and now uses paper cups and plates but the home baking is as good as ever and the chaffinches still feed happily from the crumbs. If you like rustic peace not urban sophistication this little oasis is for you - and will be even more so when they can get back to normal. As one woman said as she came in “ This is one of my favourite tea places in the world....”

Great rock cake and coffee after a long cycle

Such a fab place! The best tea for one! Amazing Victoria sponge cake with homemade raspberry jam! Highly recommend! Will return! Huge thanks x

Limited choice, but food on offer is excellent. Service is friendly and helpful. Would seriously recommend the Soup and the Ginger Cake.

First came here with Dad about fifty years ago. It was one of his favourite places and is definitely my go to place. Lovely walk up from Ashness Bridge then on to Blea Tarn and Dock Tarn before returning to Watendlath for a cosy brew and cake. The place is so very friendly and the staff are remarkable. Big mug of milky coffee and a large helping of the most delicious moist ginger cake ever. Fabulous setting with very social avian visitors. This place is a must and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Lovely little cafe situated in Watendlath, big mugs of coffee and cakes looked delicious, just what you need after a walk

We parked our car near surprise view and began to explore nearby on foot, seeing a sign for Watendlath 1.5 miles away and heard about the lovely tea rooms we set off on a damp drizzly day. It was a lovely walk (across the river) albeit a tad muddy. We arrived at the tea rooms approx 3pm and it was closed. It would be better if perhaps the car parks near Ashness Bridge displayed the opening times. Nothing else to see in watendlath. We walked back via the main road which was quicker. Note:No mobile phone signal on this route so you cannot top up your car park if using pay by phone app.

A welcome stop on the Stonethwaite circular route. Stopped for water, an ice lolly and a loo break on a hot Saturday in August.

Love this little cafe by Watendlath Tarn. It was actually closing when we got there but they still made the most delicious cup of coffee which was just what we needed for the walk back to Rosthwaite.

Good for tea or coffee but online outdoor seating

All homemade cakes and scones. even the jam on the scones was made by Helen. Delicious. Remember to take cash as there is no card payment available because of the remote location.

Can't speak for the tea shop as it was unfortunately closed after our long walk there for a cup of tea, however the lake was a beautiful spot to stop for a snack before the walk back to Keswick

Great place for a well earned drink

Returned here after 8 years and glad to see the tearoom was still open. Took the car up this time and parked in the National Trust car park. Great remote location next to the tarn and the garden had chaffinches and robins hopping about. Had a great mug of tea and a lovely piece of ginger and sultana cake.

Remote tea rooms, cash only. Relaxing location

Nearly had a heart attack at the price of a pot of tea for two £6. To make it worse the car park for the tea room was charging £1 for 30 mins. So probably the most expensive cup of tea I have ever bought To top it off my wife popped back to the car for something and ended up locking herself in because a homeless man was trying to get someone to give him a lift and he made her very nervous.

We visited Watendlath for the first time on Saturday, what a great spot. Lovely place for a walk away from the crowds. The service at the tea room was brilliant ;-)

We were so impressed by the speed of service - so efficient and together. Delicious soup, excellent cakes especially the gingerbread and a fine pot of coffee. What a well placed cafe.

Small tea rooms providing very welcome rest. You'll be sitting outside in a very sheltered garden, which can be pleasant, but also a magnet for midges. Just enjoy a cuppa and a rest.

Nice secluded spot to stop on a walk.

The people here were really helpful, my boyfriend and I didn't have any cash on us and they explained the telephone line is so poor a card machine wouldn't hack it. The food looked nice, if a bit expensive, but when there's no where else to get food or a drink, it's not that surprising. There are toilets in the car park

De hecho, es un agradable paseo hasta la aldea de Watendleth y el entorno de los cafés es muy agradable.Dicho esto, la relación calidad-precio es una de las peores que he conocido y dudo que el café tenga muchos clientes habituales.  3 por una tetera para uno pero peor es el 3. El cargo de 50 por los sándwiches básicos se agitó en segundos utilizando ingredientes económicos con poca consideración por la presentación.Adecuado pero poco más.

In a beautiful location and famous for local bird life eating your crumbs. Very pleasant outdoor seating. Cash only! Coffee expensive at £3.50.

Fantastic cakes, a wonderful place for a pit stop on your walk. It doesn't take cards though due to reception

Calm and quiet surrounding... Tear-drop shaped lake... Breathtaking beauty

Magical spot and lovely tea and homemade cakes and scones- reasonably priced

Best cup of coffee after long walks ..

Esperamos llegar al salón de té después de nuestra caminata! El entorno estaba sombreado y fresco en un día muy cálido. Sin embargo, nos quedamos decepcionados por la muy costosa taza de té y el extremadamente grasoso tapón.¿Desearíamos no habernos molestado en visitar el salón de té?

Absolutely worth the tortuous drive up past Ashness Bridge (stop for a wander) then to the nearby car parks at Surprise View for the splendid views across Derwent Water, then on up to Watendlath. The road is narrow and can get quite busy at times so be prepared to drive slowly and carefully and give way if needed. If feeling fit or adventurous it's definitely worth the walk from Ashness or Surprise View along the valley which is really nice and we've seen buzzards overhead before. Terrific flapjack (my kids swear by it) and delicious scones and other snacks. The birds - chaffinches, robins usually - are a delight as they will fly down to snaffle crumbs from the tables. We usually cut off a corner of our scones for them! Definitely a must-do visit when you're in the Lake District.

There's not much else in Watendlath. If you like quirky places then this is for you.

Qué lugar mágico más encantador es este. . . El servicio fue cálido, eficiente y amable. Los pasteles realmente eran caseros y generosos. . . no guardado en un enfriador (realmente no me gustan los pasteles que se enfrían); Café fuerte, fresco y real. . . . el entorno y el entorno eran muy relajantes y sentarse en el jardín sol era increíble. Todo estaba bien con este lugar y los humanos que nos servían eran simplemente adorables. . .

Beautiful coffee and cake and thank you for sharing Missing Ruby and Beetle poster

Mientras que los dos tés se compran por 5. 00 consistía en una olla masiva con agua caliente adicional, el té era de una calidad extremadamente baja. Cálido y húmedo lo resume todo. No hace falta decir que no necesitamos el agua extra!¡Vamos, son dos bolsitas de té, que valen unos centavos! Este fue posiblemente el peor té que he tenido. . . . .La próxima vez traeré un frasco.

We missed the cafe on arriving hoping to catch it on way back from dock tarn but it was closed

Lovely lakes tea room. Gardens are delightful and full of birdsong.

Great location and good coffee. We always come with our dog so have to sit outside, and generally come when it is too wet or cloudy to do a high level walk, so often get drizzled on in the rather dark but otherwise lovely garden.

This place is set in a truly beautiful location. A perfect pit stop after you've been out for a walk. Of course you also have the option of driving here, although it is up a very windey and narrow road. You also have to pay to park. This cafe has toilet facilities and doesn't accept card, only cash. So keep this in mind if you venture up there. We found the staff to be very friendly and the literal mug of coffee to be a real treat. I also had a cup of herbal tea and was delighted that I didn't have to ask for an extra pot of hot water, as this was just given to me as standard. The last thing to keep in mind is that there is only seating outside, so make sure to bring layers with you if it's a slightly cooler day. Lastly, there is also a small lake nearby where you can go fishing. You will need your own equipment, but can rent a boat for a reasonable price. Otherwise enjoy!

Apparently the Bronte Sisters or one of them stayed here. Quite historic!

Have been using this tea room for years. Love it. Great pot of tea and plenty of it and always enjoy a rock cake with butter to help me up the next hill. Los of wild birds (feathered variety), so tame will almost eat from your hand. Lovely location.

When you've hiked over the fells to Watendlath, the Caffle House is just what you need. A pot of tea, a choice of excellent cakes, and a sit down to take in the peace and tranquility of the place. It won't be long before the robins, chaffinches and other birds come visiting looking for their share too. Really enjoyed our visit there.

Just loved this place. It's so quaint and out of the way. Great turn around point if you want to walk from Borrowdale. They serve tea, coffee, hot choc and cakes which are reasonable tasty and not to expensive. A hidden gem

Closes at 4 - No chance for a 5 o'clock tea

My husband was leading a rambling group and they stopped at CaffleTearooms for refreshment. There was quite a number of them, and between them they spent around £30.

A very beautiful spot for a drink and a bite to eat. It is very special to sit outside in such a privileged location with the little birds flitting from chair back to table. So peaceful.

Small tearoom in a beautiful location, does the best Hot Chocolate and Flapjacks in the Lakes. Always a pleasant place to have a break if you have walked there.

During a fairly relaxed walk we kept passing people who were at pains to tell us that it was open. As you approach through the little gate you see several picnic tables and tables and chairs in front of the house. There isn’t any seating inside but you can sit under parasols in inclement weather. Ordering is done in the house and through a window. Inside they sell local produce, chocolate and cakes. The cake was delicious and remarkably good value. I also appreciated the hearty sized mugs that came with the pot of tea. This is such a quaint stop I can see why everyone was telling us that it was still open. Next time I’ll pick up the pace a bit.

Stopped to view this small yet quaint village, Watendleth, we had two pots of very welcomed tea, accompanied by delicious home made scones, clotted cream and Watendleth Jam, yummy. It was a hot day, so a welcomed pit stop before completing the remaining part of the walk. An aerobatic display of small birds, chaffinches, blue tits sat on the tables around and rummaged for crumbs, very tame little things in lovely surroundings. Staff very good and well worth a visit, whether you’re walking or driving here, a hidden gem of a place..

What a place, the weather was fabulous the views wonderful. Stopped at cafe for a scone and a cuppa it was very nice and well received.

Wonderful peaceful place.Farm house tea room at the end of the road.

Secret tea room!! Try the gingercake

Having visited here some 20 years past I didn't know if it was still open, so what a lovely surprise to be greeted with coming over the bridge. The owners kindly allowed us to eat our picnic in the tea room gardens with the drinks we bought. They also had soya milk available for my cuppa which was a big thumbs up! Though we didn't buy they also had gluten free cakes available as well as other yummy options.

If you make it all the way to the hamlet of Watendlath, particularly if you do that on foot, then this place is a welcome sight. It is however very basic, of necessity bearing in mind the setting, but it can still manage cafetière coffee and nice cakes - they’re not cheap but really what do you expect.

Visited on Saturday 24th Feb 2018. Parked in a free parking area at the Ashness Bridge turn off of the B5289. Followed the single track road all the way to the cafe, about 2 1/2 miles. The fun of visiting this cafe is that there is no land line or webpage or mobile signal or WiFi or opening times!! Oh, and if it's open it's only got outside seating. Deep joy opening as I arrived! Refreshed with coffee and cake. I love this cafe where you sit in the open with the wild birds feeding from your table. Then it was a walk down a public footpath back down to the car on loose rocks with added danger of ice to get there. Grand walk out with good coffee & cake!

Rather catastrophic - 10 pounds for a pot of tea for four that didn't even fill everyone's cups once.

Delicious cake. Lovely little garden area