Lakeside Reed Bed Restaurant in Preston

What an absolutely dismal operation. Poorly run with no coordination, and staff that looked like they didn't know where they were, let alone what they were doing. Some highlights: Soup and a roll turned out to be soup and a pretzel. What? The kids bag is £5.50 for an apple, a juice box, and a packet of crisps. Genuinely scandalous. When asking for an iced coffee, I had to then ask the server if that was okay, as he looked horrified. I then had to follow up with asking if he was sure it's okay. No chips. They were going to take 10 minutes, but given the queue length we waited in, they could have put loads more on much earlier. It was lunch with a limited menu, people will eat the chips. This was not a short staffing issue. There were plenty of staff. My recommendation would be to bring your own sandwiches and not give these people your money.

I've seen Glaciers move quicker. Overpriced, undersized and took a geological age to get served, even though it wasn't remotely busy. Would be quicker to crawl into Preston to buy a coffee and sandwich.

Food took forever as there was a massive queue and staff were very un-organised. They did not know what they were doing, Manager came in to tell them what they need to be doing each but after 2 minutes they all got confused again? There were maybe 10 chips in a portion all over salted and for £3.75 each which is way too overpriced. Waited 20 minutes just to get 20 chips for £7.50... Overall do not recommend!

Very disappointing. Too expensive for portion size. Poor coordination of staff, plenty on duty but no idea how to manage their time effectively. Won’t bother again

Friendly staff, and fast service. Quite a clean place, considering where it was, with walking boots considered.

Set in beautiful surroundings however the service at times can be dire when busy! At my last visit there had clearly been an event or wedding on the previous evening as all the mess was gathered in the corner of the dining area. Venue was late opening and food not ready to be served for opening time. Younger staff member was quite rude. Shame, as previous visits has been enjoyable.

I found it to be more like a cafe but was only a quick stop off. Staff polite and friendly.

Beautiful location and a relaxing atmosphere. Well worth a visit.

Fantastic nibbles and good coffee at a half reasonable price. Amazing views from the cafe 💕

Lovely setting BUT sad that restaurant no longer serves good home cooked food with lots of roasted fresh vegetables. Sandwiches cheap but very dry and nothing added. Poor choice of cakes and no toasted tea cake once stop serving breakfast. On the whole very disappointed

Sach a beautiful area, sach a bad food

Just love this place. Where else in the North West can you have something to eat & drink while "floating" on a lake?

After a very enjoyable walk around the Brockholes Nature Reserve, we enjoyed a large cake and a drink. The other Food options were excellent and very good value for money but a little early for a main meal. A pleasant environment with helpful, polite staff. Well worth a visit and, because the restaurant is on the "Floating Visitor Village", the first of its kind in the UK, it brings you as close to nature as possible as you enjoy your refreshments.

Great Cafe, Information Centre and plenty of Woodland Walks with a variety of Wildlife to spot in the Woods and on the Lakes

Had a great afternoon tea and all of the staff were very helpful

Lovely choice of food and good service along with excellent views across the lake

Excellent location just had coffee and cake

Great portion sizes after a walk, but shame about food not being too warm, and jacket potatoes were quite hard still, I'd maybe try a sandwich next time

Good food but can get busy when the sun shines or functions are on

Lovely place for a walk look at nature. Playground for kids. Cafe good. Had cream tea was fab x

Disappointing, arrived at 11.25 refused breakfast. Selection of food poor. Just had a cold coffee, couldn't be bothered saying anything. If we go again we will take a picnic and go somewhere else for a coffee, shame.