The Bridge Restaurant at Skelwith Bridge Hotel in South Lakeland

We arrived in lovely sunshine but were disappointed to find that contrary to the impression given in the advertisement by Lakeland Retreats of sitting on your decking enjoying the sun there is no sun as the Lawns is surrounded by high trees making the interior constantly dark. You have to put the lights on for your breakfast and if you eat in later in the day then also. My partner decided to have a bath the first night but unfortunately contrary to the management company's assertion that there's a constant supply of hot water the hot water ran out and the water turned cold. This happened twice as it did to our neighbours in the adjoining Lakeland Retreats property. We normally have a cooked breakfast on a Sunday but we were appalled to find that the two frying pans supplied were pitted with rust and unusable. Finally as the season turned from summer to autumn the evenings got a little nippy. We tried to turn up the storage radiators but found that the controls are blocked by wooden brackets screwed over the radiators so you can't use them. A beautiful area but we won't be using Lakeland Retreats again if this is the standard they aspire to!

Lovely Sunday lunch Proper home made roast potatoes, beef gravy,tender beef all the trimmings all home cooked £14.50 worth the money Dog friendly too staff were great feeding tit bits to the dog 🐶 Will definitely return Sunday lunch best meal of the week

Called in for an early supper and the establishment delivered what I expected--no more,no less.The staff were polite enough,but does it cost more to "Smile",and possible converse rather than a simple serving function?No it doesn't--why do so many places miss the basics of delivering a out of the ordinary experience? The food was Pub grub,and there is nothing wrong with that.Fish and Chips at £13-50 with mushy peas and a watery Tartre sauce,were adequate---but the oil needed changing,and the prices are in-line with other places in the area. Go with realistic expectations and you'll leave satisfied.

It was distinctly average. Expensive for want it is, but you pay for location. Steak pie was nice but fish finger baguette not worth it. Beautiful base for local walks up to the tarn and food will warm you up.

A group of us recently had dinner there, celebrating a birthday. We all had wonderful food in a beautiful room. Our service was excellent.

Hemos estado viniendo a la puente Skelwith durante 20 años, y durante 19 de esos años nos diría que la comida ha sido de primera clase. Pero en la última visita de la Carta de la cena como un menú más cambiado pub y supongo que podría ser un nuevo chef porque no encontramos la calidad de la comida y los ingredientes tan buenos.

We had a friends meal which was efficiently served but ordinary. Chesters next door a better bet. Not much for vegetarians and less for vegans. Why is there a tv in the dining area? Bit tired but staff were pleasant

This is a great place for an evening meal, staff are good people around from all over Europe, great menu, good beer good wine,

I have been staying at the Skelwith Bridge hotel for many years and always recommended it to family and friends. Over the past 2 or 3 years the quality of service has gradually gone down and is really disappointing. What used to feel like a 'special' holiday is now just average. I recently booked for a Turkey and Tinsel stay which in previous years has been great with a traditional Christmas dinner as advertised and a nice festive atmosphere. At dinner I asked where the Christmas menu was, thinking it might be on as a special, as it wasn't on the main menu. The waitress said she would have to check as it is normally on the main menu for Turkey and Tinsel. She came back to tell me the chef has decided they are not putting a traditional Christmas dinner on this year. I was horrified and asked why it is advertised but not provided. I was just told that it isn't on the menu. I had to choose a normal meal from the menu but I was extremely disappointed as I booked for Turkey and Tinsel to enjoy a pre Christmas break with a festive atmosphere as I had done in previous years. Not only did the hotel not provide a festive dinner, there was no festive atmosphere at all with miserable looking staff who gave the impression they couldn't care less. Over the past few visits I have noticed a lot of costs being cut and facilities removed which used to be provided for guests but prices still going up. A few examples are no Christmas dinner provided for Turkey and Tinsel stays, no newspaper ordering for guests, no drying facilities (the drying room has been stone cold on every visit over past year), no weather forecast displayed in reception for walkers, no change of menu (it's the same boring menu each day), food quality much lower than used to be, service with no smiles, charges for dogs gone up to £10 per night and overall just very disappointing. Friends of mine who have also been staying there for many years have had similar experiences and will not stay there again. It is sad because this last experience was one of a few recently and to advertise a traditional festive dinner included and facilities which are not provided is so wrong and unfair to paying guests who have been loyal customers of the hotel. I don't normally complain but as I got an unsatisfactory response when I mentioned it to the hotel staff, I feel others who may have booked thinking they are going to get what is advertised, will be disappointed as I was. I really do urge the Skelwith Bridge hotel to get your act together and bring the hotel back to what it was not so long ago. Never mind cutting costs, you're cutting corners and long term regular customers are walking away.

We ate here twice in one week, as it was so good. Everyone loved their choices. Casual dining. Animal friendly. Go to the Talbot's bar to order drinks.

Good food reasonable price. As like many places in lakes this is a dog friendly restaurant. Friendly staff,always busy.

Booked in for one night . Been before. Previously Enjoyed restaurant experience,but told it was full. We dined in bar next door at 6pm. Restaurant at 6pm it was empty. 7pm - 4 tables were occupied. Surely if you book in the hotel you should be able to dine there. Disappointed.Were we turned away because we were there for only one night. ?At breakfast it was apparent those staying more than one night were quickly attended to.All guests should be given the same experience. Better luck next time.

My wife and I and our two teenage children called for a drink after walking all morning one beer, one wine and two lemonades £16.00+, this used to be one of my favourite hotel/pubs but I will be dining/drinking elsewhere at theses prices.

Had a good lunch here about 2 years ago so called in again to see if it had changed, it hasn't, still very good. Try the boozy beef from the specials menu, really lovely! Excellent service, friendly staff.

We were on holiday in this area and came to the hotel just for a casual rest after walking in the region. It was so welcoming and informal yet exquisite in the finer parts of the hotel restaurant. The Manager showed us round and gave us the details of booking for future. We enjoyed a lovely simple lunch time meal in adjacent Bar area and was wishing we had stayed for the week there. This Hotel cares about the customer and we left feeling very pleased, we will certainly consider a new opportunity to book the hotel accommodation in the future.

Had lunch with my husband on Sunday afternoon. did not enjoy at all. food was very basic did not feel home cooked also a smell of dog I know that dogs are welcome in a lot of places but there should be a section for people without dogs. will not go back

First night of our holiday wasn't sure were to go to eat, so ended up here as it was only 5 min drive away. It was quite busy and we hadn't booked but we managed to get a table.The staff were very friendly, and service was quick considering how busy it was. Good quality food reasonable price. The desserts are delicious too.

We stayed at the skelwith bridge for two nights as a second option to rome because the air traffic control strike in italy put paid to that five day trip, loved every minute at the Skelwith,its just a short trip into Ambleside and then ferry down to Bowness if you like, there is a bus stop just down the road from the hotel if you wanted someone else to drive or drive yourself,and of course coniston is in the other direction, the staff are very pleasant and welcoming, there is bar food or restaurant to eat in 'no complaints about the food' and a choice at breakfast to get you rolling, if the hotel is busy book a table in the restaurant or bar, the bar area is nice and cosy, or take your drink into the lounge and chill, the view from the room window was nice

We decided to call in after an 11 mile walk. Muddy boots and dirty trousers but no-one seemed to mind. Excellent value, good service, really good food (have the 100% beef burger). Lovely views out of the back of the bar. Book if you can. We were there early and there were only 3 free tables all the others were reserved.

We were regulars staying at this hotel up until recent months, This lovely friendly hotel has changed in many ways. We called into the Talbot for food but was put off by the amount of dogs they allow in at a time, we had stayed there a month before, The menu is the same night after night.friends have stayed there and was very disappointed with the menu, From my past experience the rooms are very clean and spacious, very comfortable bed. The staff are friendly, work hard. We have to find another suitable accomadation, it has taken us many months since we returned to think hard about writing on trip advisor Beautiful area, fabulous walks, food average, but the dogs, I mean great big to small size dogs,are the problem, one evening they were on ,the lounge bar settee lying, until a member of staff intervened I hope the floods did not affect the hotel , river is near by the hotel ,it was a nice place to stay, will not return, This is our opinion, try this for your self, Dog lovers will enjoy this hotel. If pet residents bring in the trade, good luck in the future.

Great cafe,deli, and gift emporium offering all the usual quality cafe fare in a picturesque setting.

We stopped at the Talbot Bar for a couple of pints as we were staying near but were not convinced to stay for food on either occasion - although we intended on doing so. The beer wasn't brilliantly kept and the place had the air of past glories or current coach trips. Shame really. The venue does have telly, a number of bars and welcomes dogs.

Whilst staying close by we chose to eat in the Talbot Bar which is at the rear of The Bridge Hotel. The food is excellent order at the bar but then served to your table. This is a busy dog friendly pub.

On our way to Hardknott Pass and stopped off for a drink and a sandwich. Lovely sunny day so sat outside in the great area set out. Good cask beers - pit they did not offer the Jennings tasting tray - did not know of it and was most jealous when another customer came out with it. They don't do ordinary sandwiches so had to have baguettes which were really too large so that was a shame. Tasty though. Difinetly worth a stop if passing

Where does one start. The staff, very few speak English and the food is not up to restaurant standards.On the night we went, two other tables complained it was the worst meal ever and the staff just shrug.With so many other good places around, you would have to be crazy to go here

could sit outside with dog and have a beer. I was ready for it after a decent walk and it was pretty good .

We had just been on a long walk with our cameras and it had been raining. But they didn't worry about that and said they were used to it! the food came quickly and was tasty. Prices weren't too bad for the area and the atmosphere was good.

Returned today with the family and dog for a lovely Sunday roast, first class Yorkshire Puddings and great value, well kept ales, includes their own Talbot Tipple by Jennings which is a great easy drinker. Bar looks a lot better for the winter refurb. Hopefully be back this week before we leave for home. Well done!

I've dined here twice after having a few long walks....the first time I thought it was myself being possibly just ill as on the way home in the car we had to stop so I could be 'ill'. This continued through the night :(The second time I just had soup, but the tomato soup was so acidic - literally a tin of chopped tomatoes with herbs just heated up, it gave myself and my partner dreadful indigestion. The ale selection is pretty boring, but the bar tender was polite and friendly unfortunately it's not enough to make me want to return. It's a shame, because this spot should be doing a roaring trade - I've never seen it with more than a handful of folk in, even during the height of a good summer.

We arrived for lunch to an almost empty bar (that should have been a sign) we asked to set up a tab and Mrs personality responded that to do so she would hold our credit card behind the bar. She had dealt with another couple this way who upon leaving were asked for their surname and first name before she would release their card - not surprising there were just 6 people in the bar.The food was good as was the beer but their customer service was terrible. We were treated like chavs/criminals. We will definitely go to Chesters next time where the staff treat you with respect and want you to return. The owners of this pub must wonder why they are empty and Chesters has a big queue of people waiting to get in. Not rocket science!

On a miserable day we were looking for somewhere warm and comfortable to have lunch - and depot being the only customers it was. Decent food, wine and coffee.

We have visited the Skelwith Bridge Hotel three times for a meal and each time it has been excellent food with plenty of choices on the menu, the service from the staff was friendly and efficient. Looking forward to visit again in November for my birthday.

Spent 4 nights in the hotel and ate each night in the restaurant.Not a huge menu but a good choice and changed each night. The service was excellent. The staff are very efficient and very friendly. We will return for another short break in this beautiful spot.

Frankly, this place -based on our visit - is not really a restaurant at all. It is dated, lacks any atmosphere, and has a poor menu. We visited because of the location, and because it was convenient. Lesson learnt. The menu was poor, badly served, and we left before finishing the mains. We went home and had a lovely cheese sandwich made with fabulous bread from Chesters (next door) at our holiday cottage - it was delicious. The food is borderline school dinners, and very unimaginative. We gave them two chances to get the main course right (according to their own menu) before we called it a night. The waiting staff 'did their best', but I do not have a clue what the chef was up to. Really poor - the setting deserves so much more. I am sure the food in the pub next door MUST be better.

First of all, it's worth saying that many TA reviews here are actually of The Talbot Bar which to my mind is definitely the better option (see separate review). On a walking holiday in The Lakes, one of our party was persuaded instead to book the set dinner in the restaurant. Things started badly and went downhill from there. On arrival (at the time we had booked) we were asked initially to sit outside the dining room which was strange since it was virtually empty. 'Outside' proved to be the hotel lobby and we were entertained by a stream of guests passing through to register, collect keys and chase errant infants.Once seated, my initial impression was of staff who were pleasant and well-meaning but seemed over-stretched. More depressingly, the menu was written in the kind of pretentious language which invariably promises more than it can deliver. First courses included a small bowl of Botany Bay mussels, chicken liver pate and, in my case, English asparagus with a poached egg and hollandaise sauce. The asparagus itself was fine, although 3 spears seemed a meagre portion at the heart of the season, but the egg tasted of the vinegar in which it had been poached and the hollandaise sauce had split. The whole thing had the sheen of a dish that had sat too long on a hot plate before being served and my heart sank at what I thought would follow.Main courses were again disappointing: plates had indeed been left too long under a heater with predictable consequences. My 'crisp sea bass' was overcooked and soggy, served on spatzle (noodles to you and me) with no hint of the oriental flavourings, including wasabi, which were promised. The bowl of mixed vegetables for the whole table included unseasoned cauliflower florets, discs of large carrots (the kind fed to horses down my way) and small cubes of roasted potatoes. For dessert, which was offered after the 5 minute 'pause' suggested had got closer to 30, 3 of us opted for the vanilla cheesecake which had the over-sweetened textureless consistency of a cheap supermarket version and was swamped in a dark summer fruit compote. Coffee and mints were included in the £26.95 price which would have been reasonable value had the cooking been better.I should add that the draught beer was good quality and well kept and, in fairness, that my less 'picky' friends enjoyed their meals more than I did mine.

We walked down from Elterwater for some lunch.. The bar was quiet, and as soon as I looked at the hand pumps Ken gave a full description of the three real ales (without taking breath) and then offered a sample of each. I chose the Marston's New World which I had not tried before. My fish and chips for lunch was terrific, well it was Friday! But it's the fantastic friendly and professional service from Ken and Richard that was really memorable.

We arrived at Talbots bar when it was sunny so all nine of us plus dog sat outside. The staff dealt with our GF questions as one of our group has to avoid gluten the bar staff and the chef were very helpful in ensuing she had a good variety of things to choose from. Then it started to rain, the staff helped us move inside where we were served all together with no delays and all the food was of a high standard and was very reasonably price. With drinks(more than one round0 and food for 9 it was below £150. We had a great time a great meal then had to set back off out in the rain !!!

We enjoyed every thing we ate over our two night stay. The raisin sauce with duck breast was yummy, the home made ice cream really creamy, vegetable selection varied and well cooked and presented, hubby enjoyed his stuffed pork with amazing crackling. Do give this place a try but you may need to book at busy times so check to avoid disappointment.

Good quality food with excellent service in the bar. Reasonable prices with a good choice of meals. The staff were extremely helpful and very efficient

Good choice on the menu and everything was cooked well, very tasty and decent portions. The rum and banana ice cream was gorgeous.

This restaurant mostly provides for residents at the hotel and serves a three course dinner each evening. There is always a choice of starters and mains which allow for meat eaters, fish eaters and vegetarians and the accompanying vegetables are plentiful and well cooked. All of the food served is locally sourced. There is a wide choice of puds, usually including at least one hot dish and custard; just what is needed after a day on the fells! Wine list is quite wide and wines and beers are reasonably priced. Service is very good. Coffee is taken in the lounges

Nothing special, but nothing wrong either, a bar meal as you would expect. Have eaten here before, so knew what to expect.

the two mile walk from Elterwater is mainly flat but still taxing when nearly eighty. The bar snacks at the hotel were good and varied. On the 1st November it seemed very apt to try their pumpkin soup and crusty bread. It was great. My wife ordered a salmon and cream cheese sandwich as she was not so hungry. What a surprise! A huge double sandwich, large salad and french fries. Good value with two glasses of wine for under £15. The walk back to our car took longer with full tummies!

This review is for the RESTAURANT at Skelwith Bridge and not the Talbot Bar which does pub food. I reviewed this last year at the same time of year, and what a difference a year makes. The service was good, the wine and beer was the right price and quality, but the three courses served for Dinner @£25.95pp was tasteless, badly presented and generally poor value for money. For my mind the Chef, if there is a chef, was not present in that kitchen, as they would not send out that quality of flavourless food. For my part my first course of seafood in a Rose Marie sauce was at best average, lacking presentation and served with a bought in microwave warmed up rather inferior roll, the sirloin steak for main course was well cooked although without flavours and requiring the mushroom sauce that it was covered in, the vegetables, a few carrots and broccoli, were nothing and left to return to the kitchen, with a few potatoes chopped boiled, and warmed up in oil. The sweet appeared bought in with a little chocolate syrup added.It is not difficult to make good food and I am disappointed, I should have stayed in and made my own, you expect to go out and dine on something better than can be made at home by professional people. It is now off my list which is a great shame because it has such potential with a good chef.

Passing from Coniston on Saturday we poped in around 6 o'clock and ordered three meals, the steak pie, lasagne and childs sausage.All meals arrived without any delays. The pie was a good proper steak pie, the lasagne plentyfull and two proper sausages with the mash and beans.The veg was cooked well and the salad fresh.Overall a pleasant meal in a dog friendly pub.Will be on my list of pubs to visit next time we are passing.

I must like this place because I keep going back! It's in a great location although sometimes the car parking can be difficult especially if people have left their cars on the road. The restaurant has always been very clean with helpful friendly staff. The food nicely prepared and presented.I've always been dissapointed with the beer but then you don't go to a place like this for a good pint of real ale, better off sticking to the wine list.Overall, recommended for a nice meal in a nice place.

I notice here that reviews are given in the wrong place ie under Hotel itself from residents dining and from travellers using the Talbot bar. This review deals specifically with the Bridge Restaurant itself which I have been using to dine at least once a year for the past twenty years and have visited again recently. This hotel restaurant was for many years excellent and serving five courses or so for a fixed price, however the price continued to rise and for a while the quality began to drop off and I went elsewhere. I made a decision this to go back and try it once more.The menu changes daily probably on a rotation basis and gives about fives choices, over three courses with something for any adult which it tends to cater for. It is a little bit old fashioned and I thoroughly enjoyed the quiet ambience of the restaurant, table set with a tablecloth, with the food plate well presented and very tasty, I usually find fault but not on this instance. The fixed price including VAT at £25pp certainly gave value for money, and the wine list was also well priced from £15 to £25 for quality wines. The house wine was well chosen at £15 and was an excellent choice, there is no need to go overboard if you do not want to. I can highly recommend the food and experience at this restaurant but advise you to book.

This last week 12.8.2011 to 19.8.2011, my husband and I have stayed in a small cottage in Skelwith Bridge, Ambleside in the Lake District ( UK ). In order for it to be a holiday for me with no cooking , no shopping, planning meals and no washing up, for the first time ever we went out to eat in the evenings. The Skelwith Bridge hotel was just a short stroll from our cottage and though we had been told that the hotel menu itself was a 5 course affair, we noticed that there was a bar called the Talbot within the hotel where bar meals were available.Undetered by the thought of getting through 5 courses if we went in the wrong door, we were surprised, not to say thrilled by the range of bar meals on offer in the Talbot. If anyone has the idea that a bar meal consists of chicken in a basket these days, you should get out more! The bar meals on offer consisted of e.g. venison pie, steak and ale pie, poached salmon, vegetable risotto, stir fry in filo pastry, a roast meat changed daily etc. etc. The choice was mind boggling and the food was cooked to perfection. The vegetables were fresh and local, and the service was impeccable. I have never had such outstanding " bar " food, at a reasonable price, and there was no musak to drown out conversation either. I would review the desserts as well, as they looked just as appetising, but I couldn't have eaten one if I had tried.....I was too full.The local ale was fantastic too, a pint of Wainwright's was just what the doctor ordered!After a full day climbing and walking, this bar has just the right ambience and a master chef to match to fill the hungriest climbers dream end to a day. Thank you Skelwith Bridge Hotel and in particular, Talbot Bar staff.