Cuckoo Brow Inn in South Lakeland

My wife and I stayed at the Cuckoo Brow Inn from Saturday to Monday last weekend. In the past , we have spent nights in hotels all over Europe, the Americas and Asia, and some of these stays were at 4 and 5 star accommodation. But the Cuckoo Brow really did shine out amonst many others. This accommodation is truly a real treasure. Primarily, the rooms are immaculately clean, well stocked with everything you could ever need in a bnb, cosy, warm, and of course an extremely comfortable bed. As mentioned previously, the bathroom was perfectly clean, and there was more than ample hot water for a lovely bubbly soak after a long walk. But all this is not what makes The Cuckoo Brow stand out from its competition... this is the staff. The hotel appears to be run and owned by a family, who are wonderfully friendly and helpful without being intrusive. We simply can not remember a hotel or airbnb that stands out more than the Cuckoo brow. We headed out on Saturday morning for a peruse around Grasmere, followed by a walk we had planned close by. On arrival to Grasmere village car park, I came to pay for the parking fee and noticed I had either forgotten or lost a considerable amount of cash I had in my pocket. Even before I could start a detailed search for my cash, my phone rang, and on answering, it was the receptionist from the Cuckoo brow to inform me that their daughter had found the cash on the floor of the car park and they would look after it until our return later in the day. Honesty of this level is, as we all know, unfortunately rare these days. I was very very impressed. Finally I would like to mention the food.... our breakfast was included and was a lovely varied menu with something for everyone 😋 and the Cumberland breakfast was just the best I have had for a long time. We also ate in the restaurant on Saturday evening and the food again was both delicious and at a lofty standard above the most others. In summary, if you are looking for accommodation or even just a drink and a great meal in the Lake District, then this is the place, I can't recommend it or praise it enough. We will most definitely be staying here again. Thank you to all the staff again. 10 out of 10. 😆

Didn't stay here but enjoyed Saturday night dinner. Been here a few times before and always had a good meal. New landlords since last visited and my friends and I loved the Mauritian chicken curry. Recommended!

We stopped for lunch after a great walk. Well located near the ferry to Bowness. Staff were friendly and helpful, food was good and some great beers on cask.

Enjoyed a short stay here over Christmas, excellent food & service, nice room.

Stayed for New Year, a fantastic experience. Can not compliment the staff enough, a really well run hotel with staff who cares.

Staying locally, I hoped that the Cuckoo Brow would be a welcome watering hole. I dined with my wife and two friends on our first evening in the area. On entering the pub, the atmosphere was immediately odd. Neon lights were shining on the ceiling, with dance music playing, both of which were out of character for this style of establishment. It was a Sunday evening, so roasts were available. Deep fried cauliflower was ordered as a sharing starter. I opted for the lamb shank my wife selected the nut roast. Around twenty minutes later, our main courses arrived ahead of the starters. These were returned to the kitchen and the cauliflower was hastily delivered. This had obviously been hurried out as many pieces were cold. The mains reappeared and these proved to be hugely disappointing. My lamb shank was tough and grisly. The roast potatoes were not crispy at all, the veg was bland and it was all tepid at best. The cauliflower cheese consisted of an awful packet type sauce. I returned the dish and declined any substitute. My wife's nut roast was equally terrible, I wasn't sure if she was going to eat it or build something with it. This did not strike me as a traditional lake district pub. The food is obviously bought in and reheated, resulting in low quality, overpriced fayre.

Great couples 3 night stay with our dog. Staff couldn’t do enough for you. Fab room, shower and location. Food was really nice 👍 Would visit again and would recommend Thanks

Great place. I've been coming here for years, but they still don't have milk alternative. Maybe if they keep getting asked, they would have some available during busy periods.

We ate at The Cuckoo Brow this evening and the food and service was fantastic. We've been coming here on and off for 12 years and the food has always been good but the new management seem to have taken it to another level. I'd highly recommend a visit

Not sure why this has the high rating. Poor food and arrogant service. Very much a pub based on location only. We are from Norfolk and with this level of food and service this pub would last a week in a traditional farm to fork quality establishment.

A real shame…. Stunning building and location! But… it has to be the most expensive microwave meal I’ve eaten even the peas were still cold.

I did a delivery there and the staff were very friendly and welcoming.

Great stop off pub on way back to ferry food looked great and staff very friendly also let dogs in

This is such a wonderful place to stay, to eat and to drink. The staff are so lovely and friendly. The place has such a great vibe to it - I love all the antique furniture and decor on the walls. Food is amazing. Such a treat to eat somewhere this consistently good.

Stopped in for a coffee and from the warm welcome, to the lovely coffee and complementary pastries, fantastic place. Will likely look stay next time up here. Very much recommended

Set in a beautiful location. The owners and family are friendly and welcoming. The rooms are clean and comfortable the food is excellent. Well worth a visit if in the area.

Had some lunch there, very nice food and we spent a couple of hours eating and chatting.

Been here on a Monday night, had booked a table for four that same afternoon to have a nice finish to our holiday in Britain. At first the staff couldn't find our booking, after checking the computer we were shown a table. Fire was lit, nice atmosphere. Were informed to order quite fast as a group of fourteen was expected and then there might be a long wait till our food arrives. After following this our food came after an absolutely acceptable wait. Very delicious, had Steak and Ale Pie and a Red Snapper Filet, the kids Nuggets and Chips. Pie was flaky and flavourful, Chips crispy, peas very really firm and delicious. Same was the fish. Dessert was grand as well, Sticky Toffee Pudding and Brownie with Ice cream. Unfortunately I only took one picture, the rest disappeared too quickly! We're well filled and enjoyed it very much!

Used to come here. Very disappointed to see new management who have completely missed the mark with redecorating. Was previously walls covered with fun dog pics, many dogs present. Walls have been repainted an awful colour, devoid of decoration. Music playing was horrific. We sat downstairs in the old stables area as didn’t want to be in the lifeless bar. It smelled of damp and had the owner’s papers out everywhere all over a table. The new owners clearly have no sense of customer priority nor any sense of key aspects to running a decent English pub atmosphere. I read the other reviews of snotty management. This often happens with family owned businesses. The adult kids are working there because their parents oblige them to. And the parents are clearly clueless. Bring back Gordon Ramsey for this one. They’ll be gone in a few years

Called in for a drink, which we had and then promptly left, the woman that served us behind the bar was curt and rude, customer service skills need work!

We went with our two dogs. Bar staff seemed afraid of our dogs with them not being ‘small dogs’. We have a Doberman and a Weimaraner who were sat and lay down looking at us causing no issue. We could openly see them arguing over bringing food to our table and eventually handed us our food at arms length into our hands, not put on the table, which made us feel very uncomfortable. Meat was tough as anything and we couldn’t eat it. We ended up leaving half our meals each which for £80 for two starters, two mains and 2 drinks we were very annoyed that the food was no quality. Staff avoided seeing to our table and had no communication with us over our meal complains. The atmosphere was also very unwelcoming and we ended up leaving early as we didn’t feel welcomed at all. We did not use the rooms so could not comment on them.

The decor & menu both need updating, it looks like it's just been overtaken. But the food was lovely & service very friendly

Went for Sunday lunch with my Husband. We really enjoyed it as it was also my Birthday.

Nice pub close to the Windermere ferry. Great stop mid bikeride for a shandy! Highly recommended.

Popped in for lunch and had the best meal we have had for a long time. The menu had great choice and everything was delicious and home made. I would highly recommend the lotus biscoff cheesecake.