George and Dragon in Eden

We always stay here when we meet friends from Carlisle. The service and the ambiance is excellent. This is a wonderful 4-star inn, but with 5-star service. The fish and chips we have for dinner was memorable and the breakfast was absolutely superb. We would certain would recommend this place for people travelling from the South to the North for a one night stop-off.

Not a pleasant experience. We had Sunday lunch. The food was nice but overpriced. The lamb was very thinly sliced and disappointing by Cumbrian standards. The restaurant was on the cold side and virtually empty when we were seated. Shortly afterwards a family of 4 arrived and were placed immediately next to us. We then had to listen to toy cars, car keys and every piece of cutlery being thrown on the floor. A bit later another family arrived. The dad thought it was a good idea to chase his young son round the restaurant, and later to allow their kids to watch a kids' show on a mobile without headphones. Not what we were expecting for the prices charged, and we left feeling as if we'd just been to a Wetherspoons.

Stayed here for business of a number of occasions. Rooms are clean and very well equipped. Rooms come with coffee machines and coffee pods which is a nice touch. I would highly recommend eating at the restaurant. Food is delicious. Only negative is the noise from the bar can be heard from the room. Didn't bother me as but could be annoying for someone trying to get an early night in.

A wonderful trip from start to finish. We visited with my parents and from the moment we arrived, the service was outstanding. A warm, friendly hotel with great staff. Dinner was outstanding - we shared a chateaubriand which was the best I've ever tasted and each course was cooked to perfection. We had a lovely chat with Paul, the chef, after dinner and it is clear that he loves his work and cares about his customers. Can't recommend highly enough.

Being in our 70s and well travelled we have rarely,if ever, had food as good as this. The cheese souffle, soup,halibut and sirloin were outstanding. The brilliant chef and service staff deserve the highest praise. Highly recommended Ron&Linda

Took a wee detour here for dinner while driving south from Scotland. Best decision. Food was great, really enjoyed the roast lamb. Home made scotch egg starter was amazing. Great service. Good disabled access.

Undoubtedly one of the best Sunday lunches we have ever had! , Twiced baked cheese soufle was absolutely brilliant, piping hot, light, bursting with flavour; three of us had this, perfect every time. Roast dinners came with extra proper gravy on the side, to eat with wonderful yorkshire puddings and accompanied by beautiful perfectly cooked vegetables. We somehow managed to make room for excellent puddings. Looking forward to our next visit in the very near future. Cumbrian hospitality at its best. Anna and Chris Stevens

Beautiful place with an excellent Sunday roast. The dining rooms are very well decorated and overall great place to go to.

Lovely place to stop for a pint and meal. We love it. The staff was friendly and the food was very tasty. I would recommend it to my family and friends

Stopped off for Sunday lunch on the way to our accommodation in the Lakes. Lovely food and great team, will be back when next in the area 👍🏼

Nice cosy pub and friendly staff

Rude untrained bar staff, wouldn't recommend, plenty of better places where staff are actually pleasant and know what they are doing.

This was our last visit of the year and we took friends for their first visit. They were very impressed. As always a lovely atmosphere, great staff (Mike we love you!). The food was really good as always too. BUT!!! I was a bit disappointed with the menu this time. Chicken burger, fish & chips?? Not what I’d come to expect. Where was the lively trio of pork and other more adventurous dishes that we’ve had in the past? £24 for a chicken burger was a tad excessive where as you don’t mind paying higher prices for more chefy dishes! I don’t want food that I can make at home or get down my local pub. It was still great though! See you next year!!

We visited the restaurant and we were treated to amazing food and high quality ingredients!!!

Great food, good beer, wine and spirits selection. Very comfortable bed and room. Nice bathroom products.

Very nice place to visit, excellent cook, nice rooms, good service. I strongly recommend!

10/10 Sunday dinner and desert was unreal

George and Dragon Clifton is a great place to stay! The friendly staff, comfortable rooms, and perfect location make it an excellent choice. The breakfasts are amazing, but the highlight for me was definitely the restaurant. The dishes are absolutely delicious. Every meal was a delight! My entire stay was very enjoyable, and I highly recommend it!

Excellent food in a pleasant environment. However, I wish they didn't add a service charge to the bill (which can be deducted), instead leaving it to the diner's discretion to add should they wish. This is a practice that I strongly dislike - as do most other people who I have talked to about this.

Delicious food, dog friendly, the dog wad given treats.

A nice little stop off , on the way back to Blackpool

The food is really good definitely worth coming for and the rooms were very nice and well laid out. There is a good amount of parking spaces. However, on arrival (after travelling for over four hours) the lady who greeted us was abrupt, verging on grumpy. We were an hour or two early before we were meant to check in but she did act a bit like how dare we arrive at that time and that did affect the whole experience for us. In other words, the opposite of a warm welcome.

We were staying in Grasmere but had dinner there which was fabulous. I can’t wait to go back - yum yum yum!

We visited for a roast dinner on Sunday afternoon. The food was delicious, we both had beef of which was cooked to perfection (pink and melt in the mouth), there was plenty of meat with lots of veg and a huge Yorkshire pudding! We opted for a sticky toffee sundae and eton mess for desert, again, these were beautiful but maybe a little on the small side for our liking. The service was good with a couple of attentive servers but we did wait a little while after sitting down to order drinks and then again to order our food. Well worth a visit for the food, and great if you’re not looking for super quick service.

Fantastic rooms, great breakfast. Was just a little disappointed with evening meal. I feel a bit like a food critic on Masterchef but the lamb dish just lack a Jus to bring the dish together (somewhat lacking a sauce), and the lamb rump was a little tough. A shame as clearly a great reputation and venue.

I first went to the George and Dragon when very first open with the owner’s mother. It was good then but it now is quite superb. The attention to detail knows no bounds, lovely smiling staff who are very helpful. I was so comfortable and even asked if I could buy one of their pillows as so perfect. A very family atmosphere without it being overdone. Breakfast was delicious and I was sad to leave to go north. I could not recommend more highly. Good luck.

When we decided to spend my 44th in the lakes my partner decided to dine here due to previous reviews. The food was actually lovely however the waiter serving it couldn't actually tell us anything about the courses and had to bring a manager over to explain the questions we had. After the food, being a chatty friendly couple that we are, we made friends with two locals in the bar. During the meal we had a couple of drinks than sat in the bar, I had 4 pints of IPA and when ordering my 5th the assistant bar manager Iza D asked me if I was driving, I kind of laughed this off as I wouldn't know why I would be asked this question and as it was we were staying in a lovely Airbnb 5 mins walk up the road called Helvellyn. After some more friendly chit chat in the bar watching the football I then went to the bar again but was refused to be served? It was a Friday night and in no way shape or form being a mature couple did we need to be refused alcohol. The couple we made friends with couldn't see why we were refused and after chatting to the manager on shift on our exit she generally said this also but being an alcohol serving establishment I know when this kind of decision has been judged it's stuck too. The bill came to £183.50, including a bottle of wine. In general before poor judgement from the assistant bar manager Iza the food tasted lovely, but we would definitely not be dining here again due to the bar service.

The George and the Dragon first came to my attention when I read a review by, food critic, Grace Dent in the Guardian newspaper. It was a glowing review and the author couldn’t wait to return. I share her sentiments completely. The hotel is beautifully decorated and welcoming, the staff are attentive and friendly. Nothing is too much trouble. The bedrooms are just excellent: ours had a roll top bath. The food as you can imagine from my introduction was excellent. 3rd July 2024 - Lat night George and Dragon won Pub of the Year at the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2024!

Stopped for a quick pint as we were camping nearby, friendly welcome and water for the dogs.

Was a lovely meal for a birthday celebration but pricey.

Advertised as ‘Food from 1pm - 8pm’. Arrived at 7.40pm to be told the kitchen closed at 7.30pm. Very annoying as it’s the only place to eat in the village.

Lovely Sunday lunch last week. Will definitely return, however would prefer just to have the main meal and not a second course. I don’t know if this is offered in the bar? Really nice food and helpful staff.

We called in for a couple of Sunday afternoon drinks. The bar is well stocked and the cask ale was very nice. We didn't eat but the food looked very nice too. Definitely recommend.

If you are vegan you must book in advance! Despite phoning twice in advance to discuss vegan options and check table availability, the staff on the phone did not make it clear that the vegan options were only available if you specifically ordered them in advance. This meant we turned up with my husband's elderly grandparents and found the only thing I could eat was chips. To be fair to the waitress who served us, she was very apologetic and phoned another nearby pub to see if they could accommodate us and then booked us a table, but it meant we had to decamp with the elderly grandparents and go somewhere else despite our best efforts to plan the evening in advance. In 2024 I think it is very unusual for an upmarket pub to not have a vegan option on the menu and I think it is even stranger to not even have a vegetarian option that can easily be made vegan. My overall feeling was that the pub was not very friendly to vegans and not very interested in accommodating them.

Beautiful food, and amazing staff

Lovely place, quite dull food - looks good but lacks flavour

Excellent little gastro pub in great countryside setting. Staff unfailingly helpful and friendly (thank you, Tina). Food = Excellent, although the homemade humous was a little too salty for my liking. Breakfast was brilliant. Some local ales, fresh air, great food and quaint rooms everything shouts 'come back'. I will!

Very impressed. This is a popular pub. The food is excellent as is the service. Room was spotlessly clean and comfortable.

It’s not easy to travel with dogs—unless you travel to the Lake District, and you stay at the George and Dragon. Few places are so consistently welcoming, accommodating, and thoughtful. Situated in a quiet corner of Clifton, near the site of the last battle on English soil, the George and Dragon sweeps away any modern bustle you arrive with. The rooms are elegant and comfortable, the food is superb, and the walls are alive with local history, from bronze-age axe heads to portraits of “Wicked Jimmy”, the earl of Lonsdale rumored to haunt the castle ruins down the road. From this gentle nook you can drive easily to soaring mountains, roaring waterfalls, and secluded lakes. I’m sure I will return to the Lake District, and when I do, I’m sure it will be at the George and Dragon.

Arrived late in our accommodation hence no time to shop for our dinner, Rang the GD, spoke to a lovely lady called Tina who managed to fit both of us and our dog CJ in for a meal. The meal was excellent with a matching service.

Great overnight stay, staff were very attentive and the food was great

We had a lovely meal last night, we all enjoyed what we chose. I thought the canapés were excellent, different and the trout nibble especially so. We had 2 courses and a delicious glass of wine. Good atmosphere, decor and service. Would recommend to anyone who just wants something abit different.

Mi marido y yo llegamos casi media hora tarde al restaurante, pero el personal era muy bueno. Comenzamos con el soufflé dos veces basado, que era excelente y podríamos haber comido toda la noche, fue tan agradable. Tuve la hamburguesa de cerdo y morcilla, que estaba bien, pero como a veces con las hamburguesas, está tan llena de ensalada y pepinillos que todo se cae del pan, lo cual hizo, pero fue agradable y abundante. Mi marido tenía la tarta de bistec que sabía bien. Estábamos tan llenos que desafortunadamente no pudimos manejar ningún postre, pero volveríamos y probaríamos otros elementos del menú y tomaríamos un postre. El personal y el servicio también fueron buenos.

Being fairly local we used to go to eat here quite often, we went less often feeling that it was really quite expensive and the quality of food was not as good as when it opened. Last night we decided to give it a try again but I'm sorry that was the last time. The cheese souffle used to be outstanding was watery and bereft of cheese or flavour. Nothing was fresh, the green salad dry and boring. The vegetable curry was soggy slop but the desserts were by far the worst. I had a mille feuille that had no pastry layers whatsoever, I do not know what it was. But judging by the accompanying blueberries that looked suspiciously like they'd been frozen I suspect the whole dish, and my wife's dessert had come direct from a bulk frozen caterer's van. We couldn't eat them and embarrassedly covered the partly eaten remains with our napkins. The waitress embarrassedly took them away. Apologies but we didn't want to make a fuss. We paid the £80 odd bill with a small gratuity and will never eat there again. Charles Lowther please take note you are charging top prices for less than ordinary food and are getting away with it because you have tourists eating there and don't really need repeat business. You may need us in the winter months, you could do a lot, lot better. Cut the bull on your menus and get someone in that kitchen who knows and cares what they're doing.

Lovely food Best take away around Huddersfield Never been to the pub but the take away is deffernitly lovely the chicken is so nice

We wanted Sunday lunch while travelling around the area and heard the G&D did good grub. Thought we would give it a go. First time diners here. Very formal reception area on entering - bit like a hotel (they do have rooms as well). Bar on the right eating area on the left.Although busy, we were able to get a table for two, but the area where we sat was very dimly. It made reading the very small writing on the menu practically impossible. Why have such small writing on menus these days? That's a fault with that particular table tough, as other areas had some natural light.The interior is smart, shabby chic reclaimed wood - noticed a lot of the chairs were from a church with the little shelf for hymn books at the back! Some quirky features on the walls, Table top was sticky, a common fault with bare wooden table tops.They have a board with 'specials' on but spotted the Sunday lunch options on there. Is Sunday lunch special? Well, I hoped it would be, After having to get the attention of a waitress I ordered the roast beef and the other wanted the roast pork. Locally sourced meats we were told. A waitress brought us a jug of water without asking which was a nice touch. The waiter asked how I wanted the beef cooked which I thought odd as I assumed they roast whole joints and slice bits off.Food came quite quickly and on large, hot white plates. The roast beef meal had what you expected. A spectacular Yorkshire Pudding overshadowed the three thinish slices of beef (yes just three) and a large selection of fresh veg. Three small roast potatoes (yes just three) but a very good dark, full bodied thyme gravy. The veg made it a big meal. Unfortunately, the cauliflower needed more cooking, and they left the inedible green tops on the carrots (trendy I know but if you can't eat it should it be on the plate?). The mean beef portion was chewy.We both thought that. I don't think they rested it enough. Distinctly average at just under £13.The roast pork was tender and juicy but the token crackling was a little small. Again a good little gravy. The apple sauce had the consistency of baby food. A little too pureed. She cleaned the plate though so must have enjoyed it. Overall, a nice, clean, smart place. I like the 'open kitchen' so you can see the chefs at work. Average Sunday lunch (disappointed with the beef which should have been the star - gravy was excellent) Service tiny bit slow but was a busy Sunday afternoon. Although I was not that impressed I didn't feel a complaint was appropriate as nothing was bad.I notice they did a Sirloin Steak for £30. Very pricey for a 'gastro pub'.

We visited the George and Dragon on a freezing June day and it was exactly what we needed to warm us up. Lovely food, especially the deserts, and very helpful staff.

I was taken here as a birthday treat and it wasn't the right occasion to find fault at the time. But - first, they didn't point out the blackboard menu which I believe had more the sort of food I enjoy. My partner didn't spot it either. So a limited and rather weird printed menu with nothing that I fancied although I am very adventurous with food. I had rather soggy pigs cheek with soggy syrupy cashew nuts - really not nice. Then monkfish somewhat overcooked on strange sweet rice. and they put a load of ice in my soft drink which was ruined by the dilution.

Beautifully decorated and furnished pub/restaurant in the Eden Valley which just oozes style and good taste. Lovely log burners and open fires create a cosy atmosphere and all is well.....till you get to the food. Hideously over priced and sub-standard - a complete let down. So disappointing, a classic case of style over substance. I keep going back hoping things have improved as I adore the pub interior but every time I come away feeling ripped off. Such a shame.

Hard to put my finger on why the George and Dragon but it is different - there are a lot of pubs currently jumping on this bandwagon - clearly the returns for owners are huge if they get it right.The G & D seems to have moved one step further - the food is very good, the interior amongst the best I have seen for the highest standard pubs. Many go too far over the top and over design - the George was tasteful.The food was very fresh and yes we could have crawled under a stone when we asked for ketchup with the burger - they don't have any and rightly so as the very fresh salsa sauce that came with the dish would have been ruined by Heinz's best.I hope the standard are same once the years start to pass - to our loss The Drunken Duck and Punch Bowl have fallen by the wayside - The George and Dragon serves the best pub food in Cumbria!One fault would be the menu - I agree totally with running a very limited menu - gives customers the confidence that they will not here the ping of a microwave. However, some of the choices did appear to be a little bland and so limited our choice (and the lamb was finished).