Stanwick Lakes Bistro in East Northamptonshire

This is the most inefficient coffee shop I have ever been in . Take your order give you your coffee then stand in line whilst they take other orders on one till . Honestly learn some customer service and do not be complacent just because its a busy day. It amazes me people except this sub standard service.

Had a Groupon voucher for afternoon tea. Original price of £30, reduced to £14.95 for both. Very disappointed with the standard of food. Very basic. Would have been pretty angry if I had paid £30 for what we had received.

Although we visit and enjoy Stanwick Lakes Bistro regularly and usually enjoy it we didn't on this occasion. I bought two afternoon teas on a Groupon voucher, a mistake. I expected the food to be similar to what we would get on a normal visit, i.e. delicious cakes and scones. Unfortunately this was not the case. We were shown upstairs to their lounge are which was comfortable with beautiful views. The waitresss was good but the food she bought was very disappointing. All very cheap and basic. Sandwiches had basic fillings and cheap bread. The scones looked like the type you would buy in a pre-packed batch from a supermarket. The cakes were either frozen or cheap versions of Mr Kipling. It did only cast about £7 per person and they have to make a profit but I expected to have a similar standard of food to that served downstairs so was very disappointed and would not buy this deal again.

Excellent food, although not much variety and service was very slow. I was brought here at my suggestion for a birthday treat because of the lovely location and able to sit and watch the water fowl. As we went to sit at a table at 12:45 pm, for lunch, we discovered that all the “empty” window tables had ‘Reserved For Afternoon Tea’ on each one! What about the lunch-time customers, who would probably spend more than Tea customers anyway? I stated to a member of staff that we had come especially to sit in this area, whom replied in a mutter, which none of us heard properly, something about being busy. A couple arrived about 1:50pm and sat at one table and another couple arrived just after that, for another table, hardly tea-time. The third table was free the whole time we were eating lunch! It spoiled my outing because I was so disappointed, and I’ll never eat there again as staff couldn’t care less, otherwise I would have given five stars for this restaurant!

Nice building within a beautiful setting, clean and bright with a gift shop too. Toilets could be better

This place is located at Stanwick Lakes so has people always eating so doesn’t have to try too hard. However it does try and they made sure my young kids were looked after. We visited yesterday and the staff were very nice.

Visited today for lunch and was disappointed with the food, slow service and general state of the place. Had to clean a table ourselves before sitting down and there was food all over the floor. Probably won't return.

What a lovely location, surrounded by water, trees, birds and sky. Pastie, cake & coffee. Delicious.

Where should I start we had a Afternoon tea from groupon at a cost of £30 and then found the price was £14.95 contacted SL which said we could not visit using the £30 for four so after a bit of frustration we booked to visit today 30th January.The afternoon tea was not at all like the pictures one plate single tier and very poor quility.the scones were dry and two cake were also dry.The drink of coffee came as soon as we sat down but had to wait for a tea top up made worse by the dry cakes.The only bonus was the view but feeling ripped off soured the event.Last time we made a visit the car parking was included but I paid the £2.60 as a walk was nice and worth the cost....checked Groupon again today and the offer is still £14.95 so did I think my visit was special to us a clear big NO as I feel ripped off be carefull when you book you have been warned and I do hope Stanwick lakes show a true picture of what to expect...

After a lake walk and kids session in the play area- the cafe is a welcome refuge in all weathers. Great coffee and a decent range of snacks and lunches. Reasonable prices.

Visited Stanwick lakes for the first time today for a groupon offer (high tea for 4). Made to feel very welcome. The staff were great, very accommodating and friendly. The food was delicious - lovely sandwiches and delicious cakes. Refills of tea and coffee too. All of this against the backdrop of the lakes and its wildlife. This was a really enjoyable experience and we are looking to our next visit. Will go for a walk first to build up a better appetite so that we don't need to ask for a "doggy box" for the goodies we couldn't finish today!

Handily placed at Stanwick Lakes for a light meal to keep you going, this is a fairly typical park cafe with the benefit of pleasant views over the lake. The menu is pretty basic and unpretentious but the food is good and wholesome. Prices are reasonable and staff generally helpful.

Well worth a visit f your visiting Stanwick Lakes. Good coffee, tea and cakes and much more and pleasant views as well.

After a cycle ride around the lakes, popped in for some needy refreshments. Lovely and clean and friendly staff.Enjoyed it and so did the grandchildren.

Absolutely brilliant place for take youre kids and dogs so much to do picnic bbq or from the cafe , lots of different activities to enjoy

Visitamos el 8 de mayo para una caminata y almuerzo rápido para nuestras hijas 2 celebraciones nd cumpleaños. La comida era fabulosa, especialmente en un día de primavera de enfriador de Reino Unido. Todos tuvimos patatas chaqueta o arroz con el chili o atún mayonesa. 3 de nosotros tuvimos el chili y yo diría que como un gran fan de vacuno chili que este fue el mejor que he tenido. Agradable sabor a el sabor y también utilizamos granos de mantequilla y la carne estaba tirado algunos de carne. Nuestro grupo acuerdo fantástico y juraron volver pronto. El té de la tarde parecía bueno también, pero puede ahorrar que para otra visita que estoy esperando que será pronto. . . .

Tuve la suerte de conseguir un bono de groupon para un té de la tarde en Stanwick Lagos. Nunca habíamos estado antes, así que no estábamos seguros de qué esperar, no nos decepcionó! El té de la tarde era preciosa, tres diferentes sandwiches de pepino (, jamón, huevo y berros contaminados) scones con mermelada y nata cuajada, enorme bizcochos bellamente decorados y petite cuatro. Ah, y como mucho té o café ya se puede beber. Mi marido y yo estábamos bien y verdaderamente rellenas con todavía un bizcocho , para ir. El personal felizmente sugerido que se casa con nosotros y siempre una caja para transporte. El personal era genial, muy atento, aunque estaba tranquilo en ese día. Me complace ver una zona de juegos interior muy bien equipado, lo que me permitía mi marido y disfrutar de nuestra comida en relativa paz! Le puedo asegurar que, mi hijo de 3 y 4 años me encantó, ya que eran los únicos.

Si quieres disfrutar de los lagos sin caminar, puede sentarse en la terraza del restaurante y disfrutar de las vistas. Hay una zona de arriba tranquilos dentro del Bistro, donde sólo los niños pueden ir acompañados, pero debe mantenerse en silencio. Desde allí te puedes sentar en el sofá suave y ver el paisaje y disfrutar de la paz y tranquilidad.

Metimos en para una taza de café y un aperitivo en una larga caminata. La cola cambiaron bastante lentamente (quizás cronometré equivocado? ! El personal parecía lo suficientemente) bien, aunque yo diría que es un poco caro. Había muchas mesas para elegir y la comida llegó rápidamente, aunque tardó un poco para pagar las bebidas, creo que el estaba teniendo algunos problemas hasta. Sin duda volvería, no guau me lo suficiente para 5 / 5.

Lovely little bistro selling cold drinks, fresh coffees, cakes and savouries. A little pricey for the cakes, but all good quality. Just the ticket after a few miles walk around the reserve.

Visitamos para tomar el té de la tarde.

Had lunch and coffee but being lacto free thought there would be an alternative to dairy for my coffee. I was told it was too expensive to supply an alternative as it got wasted. After just paying my membership fee of £35.00 for the year I was not impressed. Shame as food was good.

Had afternoon tea sadly chose same day as kids nursery which made a very noisy time Service was excellent and lovely quality cakes etc Car Park expensive Would suggest children's play room located in a different part of building Nice lake views

We chose this park for an autumn day out in the sunshine. We got there at midday for some food and were frankly disappointed. There was little choice and what we had was very bland. Shame as the lakes sparkled in the sunshine

Lets get this bit out of the way before I go any further. My wife and I love a good afternoon tea, no we are not professional critics or experts but we do know what we like. So when Debbie says I've seen an offer for Afternoon Tea for Two at Stanwick Lakes, I thought cool, never been there. So off we went, no idea what was in store for us. . . . . Car parking was easy, a wet and windy October afternoon probably made that easier, especially as half-Term wasn't until the following week. The Stanwick Lakes visitor centre is nice, light and airy, another tick. We arrived early and were greeted very pleasantly by a waitress, being shown to a 'reserved table' by the panoramic windows overlooking the lakes albeit the restaurant was far from busy (I blame the weather), tick. We were then asked for our choice of tea from a short but pleasant enough list, tick.After a short wait, a pot of spot on Bichnell Earl Grey was delivered, followed quickly by a lovely nest of very freshly prepared Afternoon Tea 'stuff', tick.Anyhow, all of the individual components were very pleasant, not exactly fine dining or even exotic but lovely, tasty, fresh, and actually very good value for money. The sandwiches were dainty, with simple filling, not cheap or basic but very pleasant. The scones came with two pots of Tiptree jam and a a pot of 'Clotted Cream'. Whilst 'Clotted Cream' is far from my favourite, Debbie advised that it was very nice.The petite fours/fondant fancies were soft and light, as were the cupcakes. . . . so all in all a very pleasant and light afternoon tea was had by us both.The only downside was the parking fee, we only parked for just over an hour but had to pay as if we had been there all day (seasonally - £2.50), so next time we would maybe pick a better day and spend more time onsite exploiting the rest of what Stanwick Lakes have to offer, even taking the grand children as the bistro also offer a short but appealing child/adult menuFinal verdict - well worth a visit.

Bank holiday Monday after a long walk fancied two cream teas. No cream and just one scone left in a "help yourself" jar. On reflection no sure how many other hands had been fishing around in that jar so glad I just said no thanks.

Attended with the kids for a picnic and a play. Clean and friendly with loads to do. The parking is cheap and the day flew by. Will be back many more times.

Took my mother for a wheelchair walk which works very well here, good level paths and stunning views of lake and wildlife. The cafe has a great selection of food we had cake and tea and coffee there is a children's play section which looked great fun. Staff friendly and helpful even on a baking hot high humidity day!

Nice cafe good prices. Facilities cater well for children. I didn't order any food but the latte was great. Great views out over the lake :)

There has been a new menu introduced, but it is quite disappointing. Some of the old favourites ( barbecue chicken jacket potatoes to name but one) have disappeared, and some of the new additions are not an improvement.Baguettes are normally crusty. At Stanwick Lakes Bistro they are soft and squishy. The sandwiches, which come in a paper bag, are expensive, and the selection of cold drinks seems to have reduced.The prawn Marie Rose jacket is fairly tasteless now.Same nice eating area, lovely view over the small lake, good outside area, but the food could be better.

This was a functional visit to grab a drink and share a piece of cake whilst at the lake. You wouldn't go just to have tea and cake here as The Old School is brilliant and just around the corner. The furniture was dated, it looked tired and non of the tables were clean when we visited. The cake was lovely though.

Absolutely loved our afternoon tea here. I'd booked it for me and my cousin while she was over from Australia. Our table was ready for us and right next to the picture window over looking the lake. Sandwiches were lovely and fresh nice little cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam, endless tea and coffee and really lovely polite staff, great ☺

Would recommend afternoon tea with a lovely view at Stanwick. Delicious sandwiches. Large scones with jam and cream and rounded off with a selection of cakes. Friendly service, would go again.

We are very lucky to have such a fine bistro at Stanwick Lakes, as the inside is well laid out, and there is an outside balcony overlooking one of the lakes. The food and drinks are good prices

Unfortunately we visited the centre following the funeral of a family member. She spent a lot of time at the lakes and it was a fitting way to celebrate her life and remember the good times.We just wanted to say thank you to the staff that looked after us for the afternoon, supplying fresh tea and coffee along with lots of wonderful homepage cakes.Hopefully our next visit will be under better circumstances.Thank you

Enjoyed our food, we sat upstairs and felt a little forgotten about. When they remembered we we're there, service was good. Can't fault the food only the windows, so flithy it spoilt the beautiful view.

Really enjoyable lunch in lovely surroundings. Staff very helpful and the food was tasty and really good value for money.

Cutting-edge design and cool Scandinavian-style interiors. Fast-food DIY service but efficient enough if you just want a light bite with splendid views over the Lakes. Ideal for kids.

Went to visit Stanwick Lakes today and after a walk around the adventure trail went for lunch. We entered at 12.25pm and queued to order, completing our order at 12.50. The staff didn't seem to know what they were doing without clear roles so they were forever chopping and changing which slowed the ordering process. We asked how long the wait was for food and the rather unhelpful young waitress told us that it depended on the length of the queue. Errrm, you can see the queue so could we have an estimate?The food wasn't too slow to arrive and was very nice. It is pricey which is to be expected so have your second mortgage set up before you visit. The coffee is disgracefully priced for a tiny coffee (see photo for my latte next to a diet coke for scale). This was £1.95 for what looked like an espresso cup. My advice, bring a picnic next time. Lovely food let down by very poor service and high prices.

A good place for a bacon sandwich after an early morning's walk around the attractive Stanwick Lakes looking for birds. Well, that's what I do.There is a decent menu, and home-made cakes, but 'bacon sandwich' isn't on the menu - however, they will do you one if you ask! And I do. One of the best bacon sandwiches I know - which tastes even better after a 2-3 hour walk - crisp bacon in a ciabatta roll.

Went we my wife for afternoon tea. We have been to other places for afternoon tea but this was by far the best one we have been to by quite a distance. Service, food and drinks were very good. We have been here once before and it was just as good then. Five stars all round.

Went to Stanwick lakes bistro last week for afternoon tea, it was lovely the staff were very attentive you got plenty to eat to start with a big plate of very tasty sandwiches & then a freshly cooked Scone with clotted cream & jam, and then to finish with a home made piece of cake you can choose your drink tea or coffee I was so full after that lot that I could not eat for the rest of the day, it is well worth a visit, I shall be going again.

Took my Mum for a birthday tea to the Lakes. Service, food and drinks all very acceptable and it was nice to see the place very busy. Restaurant caters for all levels of food and well worth a visit.

Nice food , well done, choices of 5 starters and main courses keeps it fresh and bright. Limited wine choices though, but views make it worthwhile.