Kirkstile Inn in Allerdale

A real "destination" pub in beautiful country, clearly very popular. Dishes are hearty and portions substantial. Highly recommend: the sumptuous and sticky lamb shoulder (you will not need a knife) accompanied by the award-winning beer Loweswater Gold. For dessert, either their Sticky Toffee Pudding or, even better, their whisky infused creme brulee.

Family visit early evening. The food was up to usual standard and a good choice of real ales too. Stayed up the road at High Cross although have stayed at Kirkstile in the past.

My husband booked a 3 night stay for my birthday. He had stayed previously when completing Wainwrights in the area. Oh goodness, I don’t know where to start . Stunning location, changing all the time . We were lucky enough to stay in the four poster room and it was so beautiful. Two armchairs by the window to sit and read . Very comfortable bed . Interesting bathroom with the beam but full of character. Now the food , just incredible, every single meal ( we ate there 3 nights as well as breakfast) Fantastic choice , well presented, just perfect. I love how residents have a table booked each night , helpful as so busy . The staff are amazing and work so so hard . Special mention to the legendary Sharon who made breakfast special. Also to Stuart , fantastic manager where nothing was too much trouble, always smiling even after long shifts I cannot recommend Kirkstile Inn more highly.

We love the Kirkstile Inn, absolutely love it. Winter and Summer. Beautiful room, great beer, good food and really friendly staff. Fell walking then cold water swimming in the River Cocker. What else do you need in life!!! Can't wait to go again. The dogs loved it too..

Amazingly good food. Not your usual pub fare. Lamb was soooo tasty and tender. Duck also excellent. Sticky toffee pudding was glutenfree too. Thoroughly recommend dinner here - compliments to the chefs, and the waiters.

My partner & I enjoyed a 5* meal at the Kirkstile Inn this evening while on holiday in the Lakes, as recommended by a friend. We were sat in the conservatory room, with stunning views of Mellbreak. Between us we had chipolata sausages for starter, a cajun & lemon chicken burger with sweet potato fries, steak & ale pie, and sticky toffee pudding. All of the food was exceptional, and we both described the sticky toffee pudding as “phenomenal” (and we’ve had a few over the years!). The staff were also very friendly, attentive, and gave helpful advice about portion sizes. We will definitely plan to return here during future visits to Cumbria!!

Today's lunch. Mine was the Beef cheeks from the specials board and my wife had the risotto. Could not fault either. Very friendly staff. Great pub in a beautiful part of the world......to top it all the bill was very reasonable. Will definitely be back.

Really lovely lake district pub, cosy interior and lovely garden area if the sun's out. N had the roast lamb special which was very tasty and succulent, and a brilliant brownie for pud. R had a fish finger sandwich (with posh homemade fish goujons!) and a delicious crumble after. All round a really lovely meal, great service and wonderful ambience.

Absolutely brilliant stay at a fantastic, traditional pub. Stayed for 3 nights and had a lovely stay in a cosy and comfortable historic inn. The staff from check in to breakfast service couldn’t have been more helpful and the food in the evening was excellent. Had several meals and all were very good (and I’m usually very fussy)! The fire in the pub was a lovely touch (and needed despite it being June)! Thank you for a great stay.

Stopped for drinks & sandwiches whilst walking around Buttermere on a sunny day. Fantastic setting, plenty of garden tables with a view, lovely food and an excellent pint of Loweswater Gold. Plan a walk to include a stop here :-)

Had heard lot's about The Kirkstile, not least the Steak Pie, so with the Bridge Tavern closed in January ended up eating here daily for a week! The team are great, menu small but adequate and the Steak Pie with mash or hand cut chips was a consistent order (£17.50) - one of the best I have had, see picture. Fish and Chips was my only variable and was also good. Mates ordered Smoked Chicken / Risotto / Pork Belly / Fillet Steak / Lamb Burgers across the week, all good, but mostly the Steak Pie. The place was always busy, nice atmosphere and the fire was constantly on. With good cask ales, what is not to love? My only challenge would be the steak option - only 1 available (Fillet at £28) - if there was a larger Sirloin or Ribeye at @£22 in addition that would have been a winner.

Kirkstile Inn Loweswater Go elsewhere if you want great homecooked food 932582702 I hate giving.bad.reviews, but sadly I have to for this pub. We have eaten here a lot in the past, the food has been great, the staff friendly etc but not anymore, it seems since they decided to only have dogs in at lunchtime, it's literally gone to the dogs. We visited with 2 friends up for the weekend. When we arrived it was very dark in there, a fire was burning and eventually a woman appeared and showed us to our table. Unfortunately as she was broad cumbrian she was rather.difficult to understand and she wasn't all that friendly. We ordered our drinks, and we looked at the food menu. It wasn't exciting, dar too many veggie/vegan for our liking. We settled on 3 starters and 4 mains Tge Veg Soup was awful, green sludge, tasteless and with a microwaved savoury bun (it was very greasy and inedible) The Pork was tasteless, fatty and greasy and the Golden Batrered Black pudding, looked good but was greasy and only OK. The mains were 2 Steak pies, the steak was said to be nice, but had been microwaved as the pastry was soggy and chewy, not crisp and perfect. The chips were nice but.the.veg soggy. The Lamb Burger came with a rather dull pink dip. The burger itself was dry and chewy and tge bun slightly too charcoled for my liking! The fries were good, although it's hard to screw those up! Last up was a Fisherman's Crumble, sounded fantastic, served looking.like a dogs dinner. Our friend said it was OK, the fish was nice, but the crumble too dry and chewy. We didn't have desert as we just couldn't face another awful course. We paid and left. We felt really let down as it was clear a number of dishes had just been heated or reheated in the microwave. It's very sad when meals in a pub go downhill, especially one we've enjoyed taking family and friends. Hopefully they'll take all the negative reviews on board and change their kitchen staff, for ones who care and gave passion to create excellent, quality meals.

We went to the pub at the beginning of January. We really liked the food, and the prices were reasonable. On top of that, we appreciated the friendly attitude of the staff and their service with a smile!

What can I say? Fifth visit to stay at the Kirkstile and consistently fabulous. Arriving here on a wet December afternoon to a friendly welcome snd immaculate room was so nice! Had a relaxing afternoon and then had an absolutely delicious dinner tonight - can’t recommend the food highly enough. The ambience and service excellent . It was very busy as always - looking forward to the rest of my stay before booking up again

This is a tremendous spot. I'd live there if they'd let me. Staff are fantastic, food is just gorgeous, bar....is like a bar should be, cosy, old school, log fire and cracking beer. Nothing is a hassel....and I love that I over heard staff laughing raucously in the kitchen....a good sign in my book. It made me giggle. Best location for the lakes ...stunning spot.

Very poor service, waited ages for overcooked and tepid food. I recommend anyone considering this place just keep driving to avoid disappointment.

We visited this pub twice during our stay near Crummock water as it was so good! Only a 20 minute walk from our cabin, the pub was warm and cosy with great local ale selection and food. Staff were super welcoming even though we hadn’t booked on our first visit. Really enjoyable, hearty pub food that certainly filled us up. Friendly locals and their dogs :) Also a peaceful riverside beer garden. Would definitely recommend.

When visiting the Lakes, we always make time for a visit to the Kirkstile for lunch or dinner. We love this pub, it has everything just right: great beer, great food, staff who make you feel welcome and a wonderful ambience, although we always get a seat in the main part of the pub and not the annex rooms. We will return.

We stopped at this gem of a place for lunch. Hadn’t booked but were welcomed and given a table by the smiliest friendly man. Ordered pie and fish and chips. The steak and ale pie was home cooked and exactly as a pie should be. Proper hand cut chips too and fresh vegetables. Fish and chips were perfectly cooked and delicious. Generous portions too, I was greedy ordering a large pie but it wasn’t wasted as my husband polished off what I couldn’t manage! The pub itself is in a dreamy location and inside is cosy and delightful. We are planning to return and stay a few nights in the future. This is exactly how a pub should be, thank you Kirkstile team. You’ve got it spot on.

What a gem of a pub ! Based on a recommendation we went for a mid week lunch .... We had booked ahead but they had plenty of space when we arrived , and were offered a choice of eclectic tables in the picturesque extended bar area , settling ourselves gratefully into a corner window table . Service was attentive and welcoming with a beautiful Cumbrian accent , the pub menu was concise but varied enough for all , well cooked and presented without any gastro pub excesses . Great beer choice and atmosphere ...... we will be returning .

What a gem of a pub in a beautiful area of Cumbria. We revisited on a September afternoon and enjoyed great ales. We selected the 3 Thirds try of ales. Fantastic bar setting. The food looked great and judging bar the amount of people in - it’s very popular. So good we went again the next day. The location could be described as on a ‘Road to Heaven’

We visited as a couple on a busy Friday night. originally offered a table in the conservatory, but asked if we could be moved into the main pub area. This wasn't an issue. we both had the steak pie, one small and one large, excellent quality, but maybe the large was a little excessive!!! couldn't manage a pudding, but enjoyed a couple of pints of esthwaite bitter instead. Won't hesitate to return, next time we are in the area.

Lovely Sunday roast on a particularly dreary autumn day in the lakes. Friendly and welcoming staff. Food delicious.

Not usually one to review but due to some of the recent negative posts I have read about the Kirkstile Inn I feel slightly obliged to share my honest opinion. I visit the Kirkstile roughly once a month either with friends, family or my 2 year old daughter so you could say I'm somewhat a regular. With the pub being so well regarded for own brew beers to 5 star food it is usually rather busy with locals and tourist especially at peak times (Summer/ Weekends). However, generally ring up to book a table normally guarantees security if I know I am planning on visiting if there is more than 2 of us I would strongly recommend doing so. That being said I was passing on Saturday lunch time with my daughter and I popped in to see if there was any availability, I was greeted by two members of staff who were more that helpful to assist, the pub was at 80% capacity and luckily didn't have any immediate reservations so they were able to accommodate. As I people watched throughout my visit I could only see good positive vibes emitting from all customers and members of staff continuously checking to see whether customers were fully satisfied, I didn't hear one negative comment, one chap highlighted he had walked from his home in Borrowdale to visit the "Best Pub in the Lakes", which isn't a stroll by any means ':). My daughter recieved plenty of attention and encouragement which also goes along way in my book. After we had finished our meal the bar manager (Gareth, great guy I may add) had a good craic around the beers they brew, the source of their food products and room rates. More than accommodating, more than helpful, and a wholesome experience start to finish.

Rude staff. Overpriced food. Very poor service. Disappointing. Good beer and a nice location near Crummock Water. If you just want a drink it's a nice spot . They probably think they can treat people badly and get away with it which, unfortunately, they probably...

Undersized portions, inflated prices, poor cooking. Will not be dining here again. The once revered Kirkstile Inn has succumbed to Covid.

How refreshing to find that after our 5 year absence things were even better than before. Our four night stay was just excellent in every way. The rooms (due to our late booking we did have to change rooms) are so well fitted out and...

New staff are horrific we were treat absolutely appalling after asking for a table that they refused to let us have for some reason then they chirped rude aggressive comments at us in front of the whole pub! We could not believe it !! We...

The staff here are horrendously rude. Proceed with caution. Don’t arrive without booking, you will be treated like you are some kind of lunatic. The place was empty and they could have quite easily accommodated our group for a quick bite to eat.

Thanks again guys for a fantastic meal and service. Never had any cause for the slightest grumble any time we've either just eaten, drank, or stayed over the years we've been coming. Welcome back Stuart, your presence is as ever great, accommodating and friendly. Missed...

We were camping nearby, so really looking forward to our dinner in the Kirkstile Inn and we were not disappointed. Good pub food menu, nothing too spectacular, but well cooked, tasty food. Staff were very helpful and the service was prompt, and friendly. Had the...

So popped in here for a light lunch after a walk around Loweswater. We hadn’t booked but a table was available and we were served promptly. An omelette, 2 sandwiches and a special of pork in ciabatta. All arrived quickly, and all delicious. Also ordered...

Tucked away at the end of Crummock Lake is Loweswater. Hidden behind the church is a totally wonderful Cumbrian pub. Arriving on a Sunday we were welcome with excellent local ale, the Loweswater Gold is phenomenal. The Sunday specials grabbed our attention and the beef...

Great country pub, with good food , but not outrageously priced. They also sell and brew a selection of beers, noticeably Loweswater Gold. Staff are all on the ball.

Wonderful food, nut roast lovely, desserts just perfect, could not fault it, service and ambience excellent. Would definitely recommend. Make a perfect flat white coffee. Very good with children.

Waitresses etc provided really good pleasant service the man who seemed to run front of house is in need of hospitality training in every aspect How you can seat a table of 8 then only serve 3 people and allow the other 5 guests to...

I had explained on booking that I was bringing a disabled relative and was assured there would be no steps. However, this was not the case and we were led to a room with a step and to a very large table. A different table...

Popped into the Inn after a long walk around Crummock with family for a pint on the way back to our Cottage, only to be told they couldn't serve us! Every table taken for food reservations! Asked if we could have a quick pint and...

Pleasant enough meal. We were staying within walking distance of the inn and went on a Tuesday evening in February. I thought my husband and I would be the only ones eating but was pleasantly surprised to see that all the tables had reservations and...

Had a family meal at this pub recently and was very disappointed. My fish and chips was cold and chewy, and the other meals were cold and had to be returned to be reheated. Definitely not the standard that it used to be. Won't be...

It was my dad's 85th birthday. Always had a good meal so booked with no hesitation. However the food was served very cold. 6 of the 7 meals served were sent back to be reheated & still not great on their return. They did offer...

Pleasant enough place, food nice, though on the expensive side. We were in side room, noisy with families. Fairly attentive staff.

We managed to get a Saturday night table at late notice, and you can see why this place is booked out all the time. The service is brilliant, food excellent and a varied menu. Portions are big, and the food steaming hot. I can very...

Very disappointed given previous reviews. On the positive side great views, the staff were very helpful and the breakfasts good. Unfortunately the negatives for overnight guests stacked up. The rooms were cold, the towels worn and tiny. No TVs in bedrooms, very poor internet connection...

Love this pub, located in a picturesque scene. Traditional and cozy feel to the pub. All staff are friendly and welcoming, checking on us several times on each visit. The roast beef dinner was delicious came with fresh green veg, one of the nicest roasts...

Treated to an evening meal for my birthday, it turned out to be an excellent choice, courteous staff greeted us and coronavirus rules were well observed. The 3 off us had the tatie pot as our main course which proved to be an excellent choice....

Lovely Sunday Lunch We both had the pork, it was cooked to perfection. Then on to pudding and the crumble and custard was excellent. Staff very polite and helpful.

Nice pie, lovely beer, friendly, professional efficient staff. A first class dining experience in beautiful surroundings

Dogs are not allowed inside anywhere after 1730. A very strange rule considering the location of the pub? It is crazy how many people you turn away after this time. Service also not what it used to be. A real shame.

I cycled up from StBees on a warm late, August day, coming via Sustrans route 71, that passes close, and was about ready for a late lunch time brew and light snack. The pot of tea and slice of jam sponge and cream was excellent...

Popped in at 5.40 for a quick drink at the end of a walk with clean small well behaved dog. There was already a wet bouncy spaniel sitting in there. We were greeted with their usual contemptuous “welcome” and told no dogs from 5.30 now...

Splendid service. Really good pie and chips. Attached to Loweswater Brewery so the beer was really fresh. Didn’t have a dessert but wish I had done. Will certainly go back again.

Stopped by for a cream tea, dogs welcome before 5.30pm prior to evening meals. Friendly staff, made us feel very welcome

Fabulous proper inn with great food, superb service and great atmosphere. Had a big family meal and everyone loved it, looking forward to returning

Every time I have eaten at the Kirkstile I have come away disappointed. This evening was no exception. The main meals we had were not nearly hot enough. My husband’s steak and ale pie was luke warm - large chunks of beef packed solidly in...

Fabulous walk today and looked forward to a drink in the beer garden as we have been many times before. Sadly no warm welcome today. Elderly gentleman who greeted us was very rude and not at all friendly.

We booked in for a Saturday evening and found it busy but with first rate service and timing. The Loweswater Gold was a total pleasure, while the food was pronounced superb by all. Big shout out for the tempura cauliflower (how did they do it...

We had three visits during a stay nearby in March 2022. On the first, we had dinner and were charged for an extra main. The process of sorting that out could have been more friendly, but was straightforward and not problematic. The table service was...

Loweswater Gold is a superb beer and is worth the wait which is good as service outside horrendously slow. Forced to use table service but 2 rounds which both took >30 minutes to arrive at the table. Luckily it was a sunny day.

We have been visiting this pub for over 20 years and have given many excellent reviews, sadly on this occasion it was not enjoyable. We both ordered the steak pie (large potion) still excellent quality but served lukewarm to the extent the gravy inside was...

I have been coming to the Kirkstile for as long as I can remember, and it has always been a warm cosy country pub that does fabulous food. Until now. I came over to meet up with some of my family for a meal, and...

Fantastic food, great local ales and friendly staff. Oh, and stunning views of the surrounding fells. Couldn’t fault it.

After a lovely walk we just fancied a quick drink. The sign said no walk ins so I went in and asked if we could come in for a drink.....NO, there's only two staff and we're too busy. They explained they had lots of food...

What a shame this pub has turned into a table service only outlet (post COVID) when it was the best walkers pub for miles around (pre COVID). Arrived on Sunday 30th Jan at approx 14:45 with a couple of friends after a lovely 7 mile...

We love everything about the Kirkstile and can’t recommend it enough. Lovely traditional pub with a cosy, welcoming atmosphere. The staff are always friendly and you get great service. The food is always fresh and delicious and the steak and ale pie and sticky toffee...

Stayed for 2 nights on the winter warmer deal. Very comfortable room with nice decor. Warm and well equipped. Excellent breakfast. Great food in the bar too.

We stayed at the Kirkstile for 4 nights whilst up in the area for a wedding. The countryside around is beautiful and easy access for some great walking routes (even in the snow!). WiFi and phone signal is patchy but that is good for ‘disconnecting’....

Having visited the Inn many times for a drink after walking nearby we decided to visit and have lunch. Service was good, drinks came fairly quickly. We both ordered the steak and ale pie ( a personal favourite of mine) my wife had the small...

We booked in yesterday afternoon and spent a couple of hours in the bar which is very cosy and well stocked. Later we had an evening meal in the bar, there were seven of us, and the food was excellent. The staff are great, really...

with road closures and huge diversions it was a struggle to get to Loweswater, I popped in and asked to use the car park and would return post walk and they agreed to help out. Even on a November Wednesday lunch they were busy, the...

We came here for Sunday lunch and really enjoyed it. The food was lovely and the staff were really friendly, and I could not fault the service we received despite being really busy. We had fabulous views where we sat and ate. Would definitely visit...

The four of us have visited the Kirkstile every year for the last 11 years as part of our annual walking week in the Lakes. The attraction has always been the Steak and Ale pie and chips. In recent years we have even visited twice...

Having looked forward to visiting this well regarded and remote inn for some time I was disappointed by my visit. The current policy is to only serve food inside and it’s table service only for food and drink which is fair enough if there is...

During a week long stay in the Lake District I'd arranged to meet a friend for a drink late Thursday eve, 9th Sept. The layout and the vibe of the pub was very welcoming and it looked like a traditional old country pub (which of...

We live not far from the Kirkstile and decided to come and have lunch. Because of recent circumstances we decided to book a table. So, we duly booked on the 6th September for today the 9th. We arrived on time, gave our name and we...

This was highly recommended by our hosts, and in various guides, so we pre booked Sunday lunch early September. Off the beaten track but nice looking building. My wife and I both had Sunday lunches, topside beef and turkey. Both were okay, but nothing special,...

Really enjoyed our meal here as a group of 8. Our table was spectacularly appointed; a wonderful view of the beautiful surroundings through the window. A large round table made for an ideal setting for 8 as we could easily chat as a whole group....

Our third time at this lovely place. They couldn't have been more helpful and responsive. Lovely room (4) , amazing breakfast (especially home-made muesli and the cooked food was beautifully done too. Have seen comments on here criticising service and the fact that they couldn't...

We were recommended to come here and booked for my husband's birthday. We spent £40 on a taxi there and back from our accommodation as had been assured it would be great. Sadly the rear dining room lacks any ambience and needs some TLC, but...

We frequent this little gem whenever we’re out with the kayak or just walking the Fells. Id quite happily place this as my favourite place in the Lakes to get a drink after an active day. If you happen to find yourself here and you...

Great food and drink, sadly didn't sample the Loweswater Ale so will just have to go back again - as good excuse as any ;)

Came here for Sunday Lunch with the friends we were staying with in the area as a Thank U to them. Nice pub with a good selection of choice on the menu. Needed a good walk round the lake as very generous portion sizes.

AMAZING food and not stupidly priced. Best Steak & Ale Pie - soft & such incredible flavour. Best Fish & Chips - do crispy & fresh. Best crumble & custard. Loved the local ales too including an alcohol-free one. All round - a wonderful find

We stopped in here for a rest after a walk around the lake, and the menu looked so good we decided to stay for lunch. We didn't regret it. The beef and ale pie was described as the "best in the county", and is certainly...

Top food. Top pint. Top location. Top service - to still be operating like this, despite government restrictions and in this hot weather - that takes some effort! Sunny? Go for a nice long walk in the beautiful surrounding typical Lakeland scenery, then relax in...

The Kirkstile is usually one of my favourite places in West Cumbria. Unfortunately, as my experience and other recent reviews proved, the Kirkstile no longer has the spark it once had. The staff did not provide a service that you would expect from a highly...

We have been on our honeymoon in the Lakes for the past 3 weeks and visited The Kirkstile Inn several times both lunchtime and evenings. We have been for just drinks and also for food.The views from your beer garden are amazing and it is a shame that the whole garden wasn't open, but we understand why it wasn't. Your food is beautiful, had various meals / snacks and all were good. Steak pie is the best we've ever had in a pub. The Crumble was amazing, we were informed that everything is made in house so massive compliments to the Chef and his/her team.The Inn itself has alot of charm and is a lovely building. We sat in various parts on our visits and areas were really nice.Service was overall okay, but let down by the attitude of a few. You have a lot of very friendly helpful staff that we were impressed with but you also have a few staff members that you can tell do not want to be there and don't belong in the hospitality trade. Sarah, Louise, Tony and James (to name a few) were all great. Saw 2 different Assistant Managers, the older man that is exempt from wearing a mask, was really good, he knew all about the different beers and was friendly and hands on, helping his staff clear tables and take food out.Now for the bad. Leah is very clumsy and she didn't have a very pleasant attitude towards customers. A young lad (no badge) with glasses, didn't say much to customers and when he was clearing a table he would take 1 plate, come back and get 1 more plate (has he not heard of trays). You also have a younger Assistant Manager who talks to his staff like they are something stuck on the bottom of his shoe. On the 2 days that we saw him he was doing very little work. Actually saw him on his phone at one point !All that said though we would still recommend you to our friends if they are ever in the area.Sorry to go on about the staff, but I am a Pub Manager and notice all the things that staff do or don't do when on shift.Gave an Average score due to the few staffing issues.

I've just joined TripAdvisor so this is my first post. Visited the Kirkstile Inn after a recommendation from a friend who visited last year. I'm sorry to say that after our visit I will find it difficult to recommend you. You need to get more help for your staff.We were waiting outside to go in and heard a group talking as they were leaving saying that the service was not very good tonight (July 8) as there were only 2 men working.We were hungry so went in anyway. Had a table with some amazing views across to "Mealbreak" (I think).The food was great. Lamb Henry was so well cooked it just fell off the bone. Wife had the Hake and Chips (it was huge).Sampled a few of their beers and decided that the Langdale was my favourite.Service wasn't as bad as we were expecting from the comments however there was definitely a lack of staff, or at least a lack of staff doing anything!!! the 2 guys serving and taking orders did a good job but definitely needed help. There was an Assistant Manager (according to his badge) just wandering around. Not sure what his name was but it looked like it began with an M. He didn't seem to be offering any help to his staff at all. He seemed totally disinterested in being there.The food was the saving grace for your 3 star review. The lack of staff / help was going to give you a 1 star.

Portion sizes of all courses downsized considerably in recent times. We have frequented this place many times and the portion sizes were always generous and worth returning for. The prices here are top end so stop penny pinching on portion sizes or you will lose custom..fast.A beautiful property marred by a downward spiralling restaurant.

Great place. We dropped in without booking for a lunch and were lucky to get seated. There was no table available to accommodate all four of us but we were offered 2 lovely tables for two, right next to each other. The food was of excellent quality. I had a steak and ale pie, other members of my family had Cumberland sausages and a Sunday roast. Quickly served and felt really welcome. Although we left our dog at home on this occasion, I was glad to see other customers sitting in with their four-legged friends. Highly recommended.

Have visited the Kirkstile several times since lockdown has finished and normally our go to place. Placed a review in May regarding the amazing food, service and team.Not sure what has happened but visited on 8th July just on the off chance that we could get a table for evening meal. Again we were lucky and managed to get a table.There appeared to be a lack of staff as we only saw James (a trooper as always) and an older gentleman (Tony I think) doing everything. They were takings orders, seating guests, pulling pints and taking out food. Didn't see the Managers around the bar at all as we have on numerous other occasions. James and Tony (??) looked shattered and so they should after all the work they were doing by themselves. we did see a young tall man who we have never seen before strolling around occasionally but not actually doing anything.We do love the Kirkstile Inn but seeing the 2 staff on duty were getting no help from anybody else did not look good. We know you can do better but if this had been our first visit then it would have been a really bad first impression. The people on the next table had to wait 40 minutes for a pint at one stage as the 2 staff were rushed off their feet. We did explain to them that service is normally great and that you normally do have more staff around. The pressure must have been getting to the 2 men serving as we didn't get our normal craic from James. Hats off to them though, considering they had very little to no help they did a great job.... Well done both!!We asked about why the staff shortages and where were the managers to help (apparently Rachael had finished for the day and it was Stuart's day off). We know how good you can be so it won't pout us off but I think you will have lost some repeat visitors due to the chaos.On a positive note the food was great as normal (must try something other that the Steak Pie ha ha), and beer went down a treat. The paddle selection is a great idea as well. Didn't use it this time as Loweswater Gold is our go to beer but will try it at some point.

Unfortunately despite the lovely weather, the pub doesn’t serve food outside so we had to move back inside for our lunch. My fish finger ciabatta and soup combo was fine, but the salad dressing was overpowering, husband had a nice omelette.

We went for an evening meal as a group of friends. Service good, scenery stunning, food lovely, price very reasonable. Would love to go back and have another meal sometime.

We stayed at the Inn for 3 nights (covered in a separate review), and ate each night.Although the menu isn’t extensive there is something for everyone. We had steak and ale pie you get fresh veg and chips or mash and it was superb! Fish and chips - wow! I could go on but basically couldn’t fault it - delicious!!The beer garden is lovely but part is shut because of how large it is and difficulties with staff being able to cover it currently- sign of the times - no ones fault so the earlier reviews where people are complaining - ignore them - they’ve obviously no manners and a distinct lack of compassion.This place is gold - enjoy if you visit*****

We had cheese sandwiches and soup during our visit. The sandwich was as basic as a cheese sandwich comes with stale bread and grated cheese from a bag with a bit of mango chutney and a tiny and I mean tiny bowl of vegetable crisps. This alone was £7.50, but we paid £10 to have the soup too. Hugely overpriced and very underwhelming. Had read reviews and thought this might’ve been nice but we were so disappointed. Sadly wouldn’t return or recommend.

Took the family to the Kirkstile in April, 1st week of opening the Beer Garden. The weather was in our side as well which was good, we had to queue for about 10 minutes as all the tables were booked, but it was well worth the wait, It was a bit strange receiving the food in takeaway boxes but it all tasted great. Even though the garden was full the staff did an amazing job, and the Loweswater Gold went down well. Sharon and the young lad (no badge so not sure of his name but had a hair bobble in) were doing a great job looking after everyone outside.We revisited in May as a walk in without the kids, but indoors this time. We did not have a reservation but even though the pub was extremely busy (obviously everybody was keen to get back out for a pint and a meal) they managed to squeeze us in. The staff are doing a great job in these unprecedented times.There were a few minor hiccups and slight delays but all worth but in the end.There was a table next to us that had a mistake with their order and they started being nasty towards the staff but Stuart (Assistant Manager) handled it well. Saw Rachael (Manager) serving drinks and food as well, it is really good to see the Managers working along side their team.Once again the food was amazing, compliments to the Kitchen Team.Keep up the good work, we will definitely be back and recommending you to our friends.

Our first visit following lockdown precautions and we were not disappointed. Admittedly, the weather was very kind but the service and what we had to eat and drink was excellent.Upon arriving in the garden, you were booked-in in an efficient and VERY friendly manner and our table was ready and waiting: wirth a view to die-for.The menu is necessarily limited given the present COVID precautions but there is still a good choice, while the Lowswater Gold butter was crystal clear and perfect to wash down my steak pie and chips.A great pub with accommodation, once lockdown is over, lovely food, great beer located in marvellous countryside and with an excellent welcome.

when me and my wife got there we had missed the food but enjoyed a nice pint in the garden but didnt stay long as there were too many people

Went for a meal on the 26th December as usual the food was great but the service and the bartender were terrible we were rushed from start to finish and refused a drink when we finished our meal even though the pub was empty and it was only 9 oclock, very dissapointing.

Great place for a few drinks to pass the afternoon. Nice atmosphere, always other customers in all afternoon and real fire always on. The food is lovely, better than your average pub grub but also slightly more expensive. Carlos is entertaining and although his faulty towers-esque approach isn’t to everyone’s taste it’s great to have staff with a bit of character.