Minstrels Gallery in South Lakeland

A lovely gem of a place We loved it! Tea cake coffee and scone alll great! Really friendly service Definitely recommend I would return when I’m back here!

I live in Surrey and my family and I (of 4) had just arrived in Hawkshead and were very hungry for lunch after a 6 hour drive so we went in when we spotted a nice looking tea room. I had the cheese and ham toastie with coleslaw and crips - as did one other - and my word for the price what an absolute joke! The bread was so bad it looked like the cheapest dirt you could find and tasted like grit! The sandwich itself had barely any ham in it and was so hot it was like it had just come out of a volcano! The coleslaw was good but there was literally two mouthfuls of it which was disappointing because it tasted like the only thing worth the ridiculous amount it was. And lastly, the crisps. There must've been a third of a bloody packet on my plate!!!! I felt so insulted by the amount I received I was gobsmacked. I reiterate, what an absolute joke! Moving on to what my father had. He ordered a jacket potato with tuna and salad. The potato and the tuna was fine but the salad was... well, not even really allowed to be called a salad in my humble opinion. There was literally ONE LEAF OF LETTUCE, a few tomatoes and a few slices of cucumber. That's more of a garnish than a salad. It was laughable really but shocking mostly. I don't know how they have the nerve to rip people off like that but it's disgusting how they do it. My father's a bit of a health nut too so he wasn't pleased about it either - and rightly so. And lastly, in terms of food, my mum had a cheese and onion quiche with salad which sounded lovely. Alas, it looked as if it had been taken out of the freezer and put in the microwave. It was an unnatural yellow as well so I'm not sure what was it it or where it came from. And the 'salad'. Well, I've already explained that. Same old story with the quiche. To cap it off it all added up to about £45 which was ridiculous considering the portion sizes (we also had tea which was over 3 quid each). It wasn't all bad though. The staff were really friendly and kind but I don't know if that was just a facade to try and make up for the horrible overpriced food. It was also really dead in there considering it was only about half one. OVERALL: DO NOT RECOMMEND!!! AWFUL PLACE!!

This tearoom was terrible the portion sizes were a joke the bread with the toastie was poor quality and the food was overpriced it was so bad it made me want to kill myself

Lovely tea room. Big fresh egg and bacon rolls with very nice looseleaf breakfast tea. Very clean. Welcoming staff. Menu for lunch and cakes looks great too so we’ll def visit again.

Walked in to see mainly occupied tables with the remainder covered with dirty plates. As we were standing in the doorway, one of the staff asked if they could help us. We requested a table to be told ‘that one over there’ indicating a table on its own in a passageway. We asked if there was another available to be told ‘if you don’t want that one you will be waiting a long time.’ We didn’t stay. Residents of Hawkshead tell me the village is struggling, I am not surprised with this sort of welcome. We spent our money outside of Hawkshead and I doubt we will return.

Highly recommend this tearooms if you’re in Hawkshead, definitely the best one. Lovely varied menu and delicious food. Very dog friendly, our pooch got lots of fuss & biscuits.

Menu great, food great, but service oh dear.. Sat down, only one other table occupied! To be told to move to a table of 2, as I was sat on a table at f 4!!! Was told due to being able to occupy a table of 4! I’m sat there an hour, in this time 3 more couples tried to sit on this table, to be told, please move to a smaller table!! Never saw a table with of 4 turn up! But there were 2 couples, who came in separately allowed to sit in a table of 4! Maybe locals… I wouldn’t have minded if it was busy & would have offered to move if it was!!! The thing was, all the table of 2s were next to each other & could quite easily been pushed together to make a 4..!!! Maybe she was just having a bad day, as all the other staff were lovely!! It was laughable!! I left & went to the Red Lion & guess what, I could sit where I wanted because it wasn’t busy!!!

We visited on a trip to the village, it was nice to find a spot tha wasn’t closing early like Everyone else! It was friendly and welcoming. It’s was perfectly cozy and provided a well needed comfy sit down. We opted for drinks and cake, coffee was very good, tea was perfect and they hold an impressive selection. The cakes were some of the best from our week away! Carrot cake and indeed the crumpets are a must!!

Visited for coffee and saw some tables were reserved and that there was lamb casserole with dumplings on the special board however had just eaten elsewhere. Rang the next day and reserved a table and mentioned that I would be having the lamb. When we arrived the lamb was not on the board however I was informed they had kept a portion back for me and it was amazing a was my wife's quiche. 2 meals 2 beers glass of wine cream scone and latte all four less than £50. The service and quality of food was excellent and we will be back.

Nice clean cafe with friendly staff. My hubby enjoyed his gluten free plum and blueberry cake baked by Jo. I had a blueberry scone which was tasty too. We definitely be back again. The cake was so good I had to order some to take away.

We ordered one traditional & one savoury afternoon tea ( to share). We can honestly say it was the best afternoon tea we’ve ever had ( and we’ve had one at The Ritz). The food was freshly homemade with a good choice of sandwiches & cakes. Absolutely delicious. Staff were very obliging too. Thank you.

Tired and hungry.. popped in for some food and were not disappointed.. we were served quickly.. food came promptly.. all for a reasonable price can’t complain.

We arrived on Friday and decided to try for a lite bite to eat, we were greeted by the owner who was very attentive and pleasant he took our order and it arrived quickly by the pleasant staff, the sandwiches were fresh and the fillings extremely generous and that apple pickle with the cheese was outstanding. The Latte’s were perfect so we were more than happy as sometimes you can go to an establishment and it falls flat but this was definitely not one of those moments so if you want a great sandwich and a great cuppa you won’t be disappointed. Highly recommended. ☕️☕️ and the cakes are fab.

Visited Hawkshead to see the Beatrice Potter museum, spent a lovely few hours wandering around the village, for August it was not heaving like many other places, a peaceful and enjoyable afternoon finished off with this gorgeous afternoon tea. Not over priced, friendly staff, lovely selection of sandwich, cake, scone and tea. Sat outside and enjoyed the calm bustle with the dog and has really made my holiday, although being from Devon it did start off the jam/cream first argument!

We were recommended this place and planned to eat our lunch here while staying in Hawkshead. While my husband waited for a table outside in the sun, I took my toddler to the toilet inside. I was confronted by man who turned out to be the manager as we came out of the toilet - he was rude and aggressive. Needless to say we didn't stay for lunch as I was quite shaken by the way I was spoken to. Once I had calmed down, I returned to complain about the way I was spoken to and give them a chance to explain. He explained he has a problem with non-customers using the toilets. I received an apology from him but unfortunately a waitress came over to tell me that I was rude and took too long in the toilet. All in all a surreal and upsetting experience that could've been so different. A real shame.

Stopped in Hawkshead whilst driving around Lake Windermere on a rainy day and happened across this little gem. Building is quirky with lots of character and the staff were lovely. Soup and toastie were excellent and victoria sponge such a treat!

Really lovely! Staff were so helpful & friendly. Good choice of food and drinks including for vegans. Plus dog friendly 😊

Visited this spot after a lovely walk with a friend. Went for an afternoon tea They were very flexible in changing options on the menu and were lovely and kind.£25 for both of us was amazing value and we plan to be back soon.The loose leaf tea was great and we bought a pack of that too. P.s. loved the toilet

The staff make the cafe special. One offered us tips on where to swim locally and they were very attentive. The routine in place for cleaning tables was fastidious. The breakfast menu was limited and a bit disappointing so we went straight for the cake.... which was mighty fine. Although we sat outside, indoors is charming and small.

I visit often and really appreciate the Gluten Free baking recently Pecans and apple cake. Fresh home baked cakes that always taste delicious and the scones are really good too. We love the sandwiches , coronation chicken is a fav of ours , ingredients always super fresh and GF bread for me too. Also you can get a wicked proper coffee barista style or cafetière and a good selection of teas. lovely position in the village square ideal for relaxing and watching the world go by or lovely and tradition inside.

Most excellent visit. Friendly hardworking staff. Very tasty food. Quick service. Good prices. Lovely place to sit both inside and out.

Our first visit was amazing, we called for an afternoon tea and had scones with fresh cream and jam and a pot of tea. We had a short wait and managed to get a table inside. Great visit. We decided to return later in our four day stay to taste the great scones and managed to get a table outside. The second visit was less busy, but, we were left at our table for quite a while when others around us were being served. We waited 20 minutes and decided to leave. Shame.

Stopped for a light bite at lunchtime. I had a cream tea with a fruit scone. It was the best scone I have ever tasted. Which is quite a few. It was so good I went back but they had sold out so had the lemon and blueberry scone which was equally nice. Staff were really friendly and helpful. Highly recommend.

We stopped off for a drink and a bite to eat on our walk through the village. Fantastic service and all the staff were really friendly. We had the quiche and sticky ginger cake and both were delicious and the loose leaf tea was great too I would definitely come back

We were pleasantly surprised to bag a table for lunch after our walk on Sunday of the late May Bank Holiday weekend. Staff were friendly and attentive, quick with menus and track and trace form.We had a lunch of sandwiches and cold drinks. The food arrived quickly and was really tasty. Nice thick fresh bread with plenty filling.

Delicious food and excellent tea and coffee with really friendly and efficient staff. We enjoyed a mocha, warm grey tea, bacon and Brie sandwich and a quiche. All delicious and reasonably priced.

We stopped in Hawkshead to take a look around this cute village and fancied a quick pit stop so we came here and they had a table inside ready. The staff were attentive and we had a pot of tea for two (which was very generous so you probably only need a pot for one to share really) and a scrumptious toasted tea cake. It’s a lovely cosy tea room but also has some outdoor seating too. Would go back.

Lovely welcome and friendly staff, as soon as arrived all of the staff were great after a bit of a bad experience in one of the neighbouring establishments made us appreciate that friendly welcomes are priceless. Thank you for that (the food was lovely too).

Popped in for a cup of tea, but couldn't resist trying some of the handmade cakes - all baked by Jo in the shop. Good service, well worth a visit. You must eat some cake!

A chance find. Great service, and friendly staff. Lovely coffee, hot chocolate and excellent ginger cake.

Visited here for a quick lunch on a rainy day after a walk. The menu was exactly what we were looking for: sandwiches and soup (and toasties!). My tomato and butter bean soup was tasty and we were able to squeeze in a cake each. My coffee & walnut cake was amazingly light. A good option for a light lunch.

Lovely coffee shop in a beautiful location. Friendly staff, Covid safe. Delicious, freshly made, sandwiches. Cakes to die for, baked on the premises. Do yourself a favour....if you’re in Hawkshead......pay a visit. You won’t be disappointed 😊

Great place for coffee and cake, we also had an excellent toastie. Friendly staff, and kept beautifully clean. The loo is up a very old staircase, but this adds to the ambiance.

Lovely little cafe, with very lovely staff. Victoria sponge is pretty fab and great selection of teas. The coffee is also very nice. We'll spaced out inside and would definitely recommend. Was a great little escape out of the rain!

We went shortly after Covid lockdown and was most impressed with how they managed the situation, far far better than the national chains. Table cleaning between guests and QR codes on the tables to book your track & trace. Nice cuppa with cake to boot!

Un pequeño lugar absolutamente hermoso. La comida estaba increible. Fuimos como una familia de cuatro, nuestro hijo mayor es bastante exigente con la comida, pero el personal no pudo hacer lo suficiente para asegurarse de que obtuviera lo que quería. ¡Tomamos el té de la tarde y estaba fuera de este mundo! ! ! ! ! ! ?

Lovely little cafe with great service. We shared a cake and scone, both were delicious and we both said the lemon & blueberry scone was one of the best we had ever had! Would definitely go back if we were ever back here!

Muy impresionado con esta casa de té: buena ubicación con mesas interiores y exteriores, servicio amable y un menú a un precio muy razonable para la calidad que obtienes. En particular, sus tés con crema tienen una excelente relación calidad-precio: un sándwich relleno generosamente, la opción de un delicioso pastel horneado en casa y un bollo muy sabroso con mermelada y crema en maceta, además de una taza de té para 12. 95. Sin duda, un lugar que vale la pena buscar.

Salón de té encantador con áreas de descanso interiores y exteriores que desean proteger al personal y a los clientes. Códigos QR en las mesas junto con el sistema de papel para garantizar que se realice el seguimiento. No se le permite sentarse hasta que la mesa y las sillas se hayan limpiado profundamente. Personal con máscaras, comida excelente y servida con una actitud positiva y probablemente una sonrisa debajo de sus máscaras.

Un lugar perfecto para tomar un té y un pastel mientras visita Hawkshead. Comí un bizcocho Victoria con una taza de té y estaba delicioso. El personal fue amable y tomó las medidas necesarias para mantener seguros al personal ya los clientes; se mantuvo la distancia, las mesas se limpiaron después de que cada cliente se había ido y las mesas también se espaciaron. Las opciones de almuerzo ligero también se veían bien, e. gramo. bocadillos y tostadas. Definitivamente recomiendo una visita a este encantador salón de té.

A lovely cosy tea room and very welcoming owners and staff. We had delicious home made soup and would highly recommend the cheese scones. Well worth a visit.

Nos detuvimos para almorzar en el salón de té Minstrels Gallery después de un hermoso paseo matutino bajo el sol. excelente ubicación con los asientos al aire libre en una hermosa trampa para el sol. La sopa casera y las tostadas eran excelentes, seguidas de los pasteles caseros (también excelentes). El personal fue muy amable y el servicio muy bueno.

Apareció en este encantador salón de té para el almuerzo. Nuestro perro fue bienvenido, lo cual es una ventaja después de una larga caminata, ¡ya que no queríamos dejarlo en el auto! Ambos tuvimos sándwiches recién hechos en pan de granero servido con una pequeña ensalada y patatas fritas. Mi taza de té descafeinado era suficiente para uno y el chocolate caliente de lujo de mi esposo estaba delicioso.Un buen menú con mucha variedad y buena relación calidad-precio. Encantadora y amigable dueña que solo ha estado allí un año, ¡así que le deseamos mucho éxito!

Lovely friendly owners ( might have been staff) food was delicious, I had cream tea pot of tea seemed endless. My husband and kids had toasties which they liked. Dog friendly that’s why we picked this place.

We found the Minstrels Gallery by chance and were so pleased that we found it. The building is very interesting and cosy, and the staff are delightful. We ordered toasties and they were cooked to perfection and the coffee was particularly enjoyable.

We happened across the tea room having wandered around the stunning church. The tea was a loose leaf blend with a wonderful flavour and the cakes were amazing - can highly recommend the gluten free millionaires shortbread and hubby had the fruit cake which he said was lovely.

Very good selection of delicious home-made cakes. Good range of leaf teas. Warm and friendly welcome. The new owners deserve every success in their new venture! Claudia & family

I have been visiting the Minstrels’ Gallery since I was a very small child and, although we now live many miles away, I always return when we visit Hawkshead. I have to say that the two visits we made in early September did not disappoint! The new owners are lovely and the afternoon tea simply fabulous. The Duchess Grey tea is superb and I was able to purchase a pack to take home. We will be visiting again in mid-November and I’m really hoping the tea room will still be open and not closed for the winter. Thank you for keeping the traditions going at this little gem.

Heel toeristisch dit dorp en heel druk dus, niet echt ons ding maar wij hadden honger dus toch maar even rondgewandeld. Kwamen wij op het pleintje deze tearoom tegen. Leuk oud gebouw ook binnenin heel gezellig en bij binnenkomst onmiddellijk een vriendelijk onthaal. Vrij ruime keuze op de menukaart. Wij namen een sandwich en die was prima en goed gevuld. Nadien nog een lekkere huisgemaakte taart. Het was gezellig en het was lekker.

Visit Hawkshead regularly, stopped here for a snack with 2 adults and 2 children. Disappointing! Ordered 2nr toasties and a scone. The toastie came with a basic salad (cut cherry tomatoes, bit of watercress) no fork provided, toastie was very basic, something you would make at home. No crisps etc. expensive for what it was! Scone was very small, not sure if it was a homemade. Hot drinks OK. £2.40 for a small glass of Apple Juice did not wash (Costa even charge less for bigger!) There are numerous places in Hawkshead to eat and competition is high; will not be returning.

We fell upon this little tea shop while visiting the Beatrix potter gallery and weren’t disappointed. Food options are simple but catering for vegetarians. The quality was great (malted loaf as standard for sarnies) and the staff very welcoming and considerate.

After a walk around Hawkshead looking for somewhere to have a late lunch we stumbled upon this lovely cafe. We sat out in the quiet square at the front to enjoy the (intermittent) sunshine. The sandwiches were great value and generously filled (and almost half the price of other places in Hawkshead). Fantastic selection of teas with the Russian Caravan recommended for a smooth smokey vibe. The cake portions were generous with a slab of chocolate fudge cake for £3.10. Thank you

There was the opportuntiy to eat inside or outside. We chose a table overlooking the Square. We ordered a round of sandwiches from the bar and paid. The service was swift and friendly. The bread was soft and the fillings plentiful, accompanied by sides of salad. The drinks, straight from the fridge which was essential on a warm day after walking.

Nice enough cafe but expensive. 1 x coffee, 1 x tea, 2 x scones not more than 3 inches across £11.20. Add jam and cream another 75p each.They are not alone in this neck of the woods regarding exhorbitant charging see my review on the local council and the public carpark re loo charges.

Loved this building from the 1400s and the simple but tasty snacks that provided us with a good lunch. The couple that served us were friendly and efficient, making us feel at home.

We found this tea room whilst having a walk round Hawkshead. The food was really lovely, the staff were polite and helpful.

Lovely location in the corner of the main square, we sat outside enjoying the sunshine. Friendly staff, lovely loose leaf tea and great coffee. Quirky little place inside. We had a sandwich and it was so reasonable for this area, just (£3.95) and we got just what we wanted- a sandwich! Why does nowhere do this anymore? Everywhere else wants at least £6 for a panini or a sandwich with salad and chips which is basically a main meal! Well done Minstrels Gallery and the Wensleydale cheese and the ham was delicious.

We decided to have a late lunch at this pretty tea room.

Minsterals gallery is a jewel of a tea room set within a beautiful village. So welcoming and inviting it is querky and quaint. Recently taken over by a wonderful couple who offer a cup of tea, a friendly smile and a slice of the best victoria sponge cake in the lake district!

Stopped off here after a lovely walk over the hilltop from Windermere. It was a perfect way to round off the day with a lovely cup of coffee and a home made fruit scone with clotted cream. Very cosy interior with pretty fairly lights. Also very nice to sit outside at one of the tables watching the world go by.

Visité aquí con mi suegra y tenía un delicioso sándwich y un delicioso bollo de queso. ¡La suegra estaba muy impresionada con el bollo y conoce sus bollos! El té era delicioso y una gran variedad de tés. Encantado de ver que los nuevos dueños ahora están permitiendo perros bien educados. Sin duda volveremos.

Llegamos a última hora de la tarde después de un agradable paseo y nos sentamos a la luz del sol, en un hermoso entorno, muy relajante, tenía un bollo de queso casero y un café con leche que eran deliciosos (un montón de queso en bollo). fabuloso

This little town is a delight to visit. Good parking but as always you pay. Village not very bit but is quiet as no cars allowed in square. Good shops. Worth a visit if your in the area.

Hemos tenido un almuerzo / café aquí en el pasado, y, si la memoria me sirve bien, he estado lo suficientemente contento como para regresar este año. Este es un edificio antiguo interesante, peculiar incluso, cálido, pero no particularmente cómodo. La mejor sala y asientos están acordonados y / o reservados permanentemente. Al llegar, no nos saludaron, aparte de otros clientes, pero encontramos un lugar donde sentarnos y nos pidieron nuestros pedidos rápidamente. Pedimos sopa a seguir por el café. Luego esperó y esperó! El lugar no parecía en absoluto ocupado, pero el servicio fue muy lento. Veinte minutos más tarde, llegó la sopa, acompañada por una rebanada de pan integral en rebanadas de pan integral y una porción de mantequilla. La sopa ni siquiera estaba caliente. Tomate y albahaca fue, hecho en casa dudo mucho. No nos molestamos con el café después de eso.

What a lovely tea room. No refreshing to find a place that’s not overly commercialised. Lovely atmosphere. The soup was very tasty and just what we needed after our Winter walk. Glad we sidelined the Cat Cafe and found this place.

Had a quick bite here - 1 cheese with Cumberland relish & 1 toasted cheese & onion sandwich with tea & a soft drink. £14 incl, Very reasonably priced.

Visited the minstrels last year and , really enjoyed it . What a difference this time round , enquired about fruit teas as my wife loves them , only to get a abrupt no !! , then asked if they do cafeterias for two , only to get the same abrupt answer . When drinks did arrive they were bland could have been instant coffee for all we could have known.dissapointed.

Nice brew with tea and a scone. Reasonable price. Nice escape from the seating heatwave outside, although you can sit out of you wish.

A lovely tea room that serves loose tea so make sure you use the strainer!!. Sandwiches and toasties were delicious and freshly made to order.

What a delightful surprise finding the village of Hawkshead in the Lake District. Absolutely delightful little tea house, Minstrels Gallery......so quaint and beautiful. Enjoyed teas and delicious scones and cakes sitting in the sunshine. Good service and very clean. Loved the Whole experience. Thank you,

Worth a visit, delicious, toasters were amazin. Served by a lovely attentive lady, worth the walk well into village

You have to walk past all the other tea rooms before you find this little tea room in the heart of Hawkshead. It is worth finding. We only had tea/coffeee but it was nice to sit in the rooms, (there was a roaring fire going - in May cos it was cold outside), they take you back years.

We came across this little place when exploring the Hawkshead back streets. It prides itself on speciality teas and cakes, with some justification. We tried the teas and sampled the scones with and without cream - excellent all around.

My husband and I stayed near Far Sawrey in the Lakes this April, and visited the Minstrel's Gallery in Hawkshead three times during our stay - we loved it! The beautiful ancient building, the settles, the fire, the delightful lady serving, and the scrumptious hot chocolate, real leaf tea, delicious sandwiches and cakes, in the peaceful atmosphere, was completely delightful and beguiling. Next time we go back to the Lakes we shall be making a bee-line for the Minstrel's Gallery! We loved its traditional quality, the delicious food and the kindness of the proprietors.

The atmosphere is like a war time tea room. Nice music played from that era. Nice little old lady serving tea, order at the counter but she serves to your table. The tea was very hot and the cakes lovely and fresh.

Lovely friendly tearoom with excellent service & good quality food. The cakes & scones were very moorish

This is a very traditional tea room in a wonderful old building with bags of character. The decor is very traditional, some areas are roped off and have a museum like feel to them. The 30’s music is a nice touch and adds to the ambience.

Enjoyed a hot chocolate and a lemonade. They have a vast choice of different teas. It is located in a very old building.

We were left hanging at the counter while the lady in charge ignored us as she continued with her own jobs. We had already engaged with her regarding a comfy seat as our daughter has a back problem so she certainly knew we were there. Cannot comment on food or drinks as we walked out . Don’t think she noticed

Lovely pot of tea, great cappuccino & probably the best scones we’ve ever tasted. Both had the cream scones with proper cream.... no substitute given in this quaint tea room. Would definitely recommend it & we’ll be sure to return

Enjoyed a light lunch in this ancient tea room. The place is full of atmosphere and the service we received was good. My companions had toasted sandwiches and I enjoyed an egg mayonnaise sandwich. We all voted our choices as good. Latte coffees were the drinks we chose and the quality was good. We would happily return for another visit.

After an a day out, on our last day we visited Minstrels Gallery.

I visited last week with my mum. We ordered tea, soup and a toasted sandwich. It was pretty quiet but when taking my order the lady appeared uute distracted, almost rude.

Visited this tea shop twice during our week's stay in hawkshead and had lovy scones and tea cakes. Would highly recommend if visiting hawkshead.

Visited this tea shop yesterday and ordered a cream tea etc. which came to just over a tenner. I then asked for a glass of tap water (to take some tablets). I was told by the lady that they did bottled but not tap water.

I expect these days as a Coeliac (gluten free) to find at least one option for cake in a cafe - even if it is a bought in prepack. Just had the reply here - sorry we don't have anything. Drinks were fine, but spoiled my view of the place

After exploring the idyllic location of Hawkshead, we decided for a refresher, and opted for a Cumbria Cream Tea at Minstrels. Wow a beautiful fruit scone with clotted cream, jam and Earl Grey tea all of which were simply wonderful, with very attentive waitresses.

We were looking for a light snack in Hawkshead and decided to call in at the Minstels Gallery. There was plenty of choice on the menu and we chose Soup of the Day with rolls and butter followed by carrot cake and a pot of tea and enjoyed it. The surroundings were pleasant with a good choice of background music, an altogether relaxing atmosphere. The cafe closes at 4pm, as do most of the cafes in Hawkshead, so get there early.

The Minstrels Gallery presents one with a dilemma: a very good cup of tea and wedge of fruit cake (out of this world), hot chocolate (beyond compare) or a scone (you can tell they are freshly baked, said our daughter). And a further dilemma: tea or lunch? (The wensleydale and chutney sandwiches were our sole reason for returning before we ventured onto sweeter treats). We dare not explore the menu further because how then would we ever choose? It may be hard to secure a table but once you are installed, you are not rushed. Last year we met a couple who said they had travelled from Australia for the hot chocolate - we can understand.

Stopped in for morning coffee. Good Americano's, very tasty cakes fro a good food selection, pleasant surrounding and attentive service

We've been coming here for years.The cream scones are fantastic and the setting superb. Hawkshead is completely unspoilt ...an absolute treasure

This tea room is very small but does have tables outside if the weather allows. The coffee was lovely and was waitress served. There is limited choice of cake and none that are gluten or vegan. The best bit for me was the loo! It's set up a flight of stairs then through what looks like a cupboard door only up 3 more stairs and the loo is there. No good if you are taller than about 5'6" because the ceiling is low. As it says on the door, bump or bang, duck or grouse!

This is about our fifth visit to Minstrel's Gallery over the years, and the first time we've been unable to sit outside as the tables are too small for a party of six. There are only about three outside tables anyway. The interior of the tea room is rather dark so not my preferred seating area. Fortunately we did not have our dog with us on this occasion, otherwise we would not have been able to stay. The clotted cream tea to include loose leaf tea was as good as ever. If the scones were warm, they would receive 5 stars. The chocolate cake and Victoria Sandwich did not go down as well and they were left unfinished. The 4 stars are therefore given for the scones, hence the title of this review.

We had toasties, which were lovely. The service was polite and quick. We sat outside, like others, with our little dog. It started to drizzle. We ate outside in the drizzle. It's unusual and disappointing to find somewhere that isn't dog friendly in the Lake District.

We stopped off here for tea and scones, sitting outside in the July sunshine. Its a nice little spot. The food was good. The toilet is worth a visit just for the journey up the rickety stairs but be careful if your mobility is not good.

Been going to Minstrels for a few years and it has always been the same. The building is crooked and quirky with beams and low ceilings. The decor is a tad basic and they are probably not making the best use of the space ( room to accommodate more tables) . However not sure if there is some reason why they lay things out the way they do and it always means that your dining experience feels uncluttered and you're not squashed in. There are a selection of cakes but we always go for the cream tea. This consists of a generous pot of tea, warm squidgy scones , jam , clotted cream and butter ( so plenty of dairy available!)The food and drink has always been tip top on our visits whilst the one of a kind setting always makes this a charming stop off after a trek through the glorious surrounding countryside .

I don't usually write reviews of this nature but today we visited Minstrels today and were disappointed with food. We ordered two toasties and as a previous reviewer we also found it poor especially the presentation could do much better. The service was fine but strongly let down by the food we shall not be returning.

I always love sitting in this café - it is so full of character, old style music playing and there was a wedding at the Church on the day we were there so we had some great views of the activity in the square when the ceremony was over. We tried the lovely tea and coffee and had some delicious toasties. Whilst there we heard a conversation about the place being up for sale and a gentleman being interested in buying. I hope that the lovely ambiance and traditional style will be maintained if it's sold - as I'm sure it would be, as that's it's USP. Lovely traditional tearoom :)

Had lunch here one day last week. Generally this café is fine but not outstanding. The home-made soup was very vice as were the sandwiches and drinks. Inside it is like going back in time. The furniture and fixtures are from days gone by and it does give the place a cosy feel. Overall I thought the Minstrels Gallery was okay.

After an early start to the day and a 3 hour drive to the Lake District, my friend and I were famished by the time we arrived at Hawkshead. We had a brief wander around the village, quickly glimpsing all the cafe menu's before settling on Minstrels Gallery. We noticed on their menu they had an offer for afternoon tea of £12 per person which included a sandwich of our choice, a homemade scone and a slice of cake with a pot of tea.Inside all of the tables were reserved (with the exception of 1 table currently occupied by a family of 4) and so we had no choice but to sit outside at 1 of the 2 small tables. Ordering inside at the counter, the first thing that took me by surprise was the abruptness of the staff member. My friend asked for her ham and cheese sandwich to be toasted (toasted sandwiches are available on the menu for an additional sum of 50p) and even though she offered to pay the additional cost the staff member refused and said this wasn't allowed with the afternoon tea offer. To me this was made in to much more of a bigger deal than it should have been.Our pot of teas arrived promptly, closely followed by our sandwiches, scones and cake. Overall the food was fairly basic. It wasn't poor or inadequate, but it wasn't exactly good value for money or anything special. Looking at the menu a second time, it didn't actually benefit us greatly ordering "afternoon tea" compared to the cost of purchasing the items individually - but that's our error for not reading the menu properly.The next time I visit Hawkshead, I honestly wouldn't visit Minstrels Gallery again but dine elsewhere which offered better quality food for the cost and friendlier staff members along with it. Lastly I'd just like to add that during the time we were at Minstrels Gallery, the reserved tables inside all remained vacant, so why we weren't allowed to sit inside is beyond me.