The Gateway Inn in South Lakeland

Hard to know what to say! I didn't dislike it, nor was it particularly good. It certainly isn't a hotel. I'm not even sure its an Inn. More a pub with rooms really. The room was OK, but tired and in need of a little TLC. The mattress (King on two single beds) was pretty hollow on one side so probably needs replacing. On evening one I'd prebooked the evening meal online which incurred a £10 booking charge. I'd assumed this would be deducted from the bill but it wasn't. If you go here, book by phone or on the night - don't do it online. That same evening my partner wanted an Irish coffee. The young man behind the bar said he didn't know how to do it and couldn't float cream. In any case he said he had just cleaned down the coffee machine for the day, so it couldn't be used. It was just 8pm!! Evening 2 was even more odd. Just the one man (manager I guess) was doing everything. As a result queues formed with one couple waiting over 30 minutes just to check in! A few others gave up waiting to order drinks etc and simply left. When we went up to our room, we found there was no hot water - no heating either. The boiler had broken down, so it was a case of boiling kettles to wash. I went down to let him know then overheard him saying to someone else that guests were complaining there was no hot water but he was too busy to be able to do anything about it. It was still out of use in the morning so again kettles and no shower or bath. They gave everyone a complimentary breakfast by way of a sorry. It was back in order for that evening. There's a board in the dining area showing the local produce that they use. There was a local vodka which I thought I might try - none available. Best take that board down then eh? As I say - this place has a whole lot going for it. It just doesn't get close to meeting it's potential, which is a real shame.

What a gem! We went for sunday lunch with our friends and we were not disappointed . The food was spectacular and and the staff friendly and efficient . We will definitely return

A very good location, with nice decor and very hard working staff who provide great service. The food was on the whole good, the roast dinners my companions had were excellent. However, the sausage and mash I had was not up to standard. The sausages I had were dry, chewy and didn’t appear to have been cooked to order. I’d certainly return but would have the roast next time.

Called in for lunch midweek.. only half a dozen other people in..after waiting for nearly an hour for our order which was one lite bite @ £10.95 consisting one piece of toast with the topping on.. two or three pieces of lettuce with a drizzle on top ..which was someone's idea of a garnish.. paid an extra £2 for chunky chips and there were 8 chips on the plate!! So nearly £13 for one piece of toast ,three small lettuce leaves and eight chips...my burger was OK..but only the burger and chips ..no garnish for £16.95.. should have gone over the road to the two sisters cafe!!

amazing food and coffee. the team loved the food. the roast dinner and salmon teriyaki was amazing. highly recommended

This was a great find. Driven past it a few times but have never stopped. We stayed in our motorhome in the carpark and loved the location and the view. We had an early drink and met the staff who were friendly and helpful. We booked in for an evening meal and I enjoyed a delicious butternut and lentil wellington that was herby and satisfying in lovely suet pastry. It was accompanied by olive oil and chive mash and vegetables all of which were freshly cooked and not a morsel was left on my plate. This is a place you should not drive past! Next time I will bring an actual card so I can reward the service we received with the gratuities they so deserve.

Booked a mini break to explore the lakes, could not have asked for better than The Gateway. Location was very convenient with parking provided, hotel decor elegant & fitting for the area, rooms finished to a high standard and spacious. The staff were welcoming, friendly and nothing was too much trouble, special mention to Zoe & Emma. The food was first class from breakfast through to evening meal with great choice, good size portions, beautifully presented and great value for money. Will definitely return.

We stop on a fairly regular basis for lunch at the Gateway. Food that we have is consistently good and the staff are attentive and friendly

Beautiful views, lovely pub, food was lovely although service was very slow considering it wasn't busy in the slightest. Found one member of staff slightly rude, when I asked, if I had asked for one of the drinks during my order....i got a straight as you like 'no you didn't!'

We popped in on the off chance they had a table, was greeted pleasantly and offered a table and our dog was welcome also, the pricing was good and we ordered one special of king prawns and sirloin steak, plus brie bites and lamb burger, it was all very nice, the staff were attentive great service, our mains were taking a bit longer than expected but the lady kept us updated so no problem at all, it was a nice restaurant nice staff, very clean and will definitely go again, a bit of side salad or coleslaw would have been nice with my lamb burger, also parking is good so a great stop off for food before we get to Bowness where we struggle for a table and parking

Lovely place to eat and drink...The food was delicious and the Gateway Inn is very clean and staff were helpful and welcoming...They also cater for dietary requirements as Im vegan and hubby is a meat eater..so we were both sorted 😋

Just had a fabulous roast beef dinner at The Gateway and the staff were lovely. Can't fault it. As we live in Kendal we will be back. Thank you.

Booked last minute and surprised to get a table as it’s Mother’s Day. Very attentive staff. Gorgeous food. Gutted we could fit in a dessert. Will definitely return.

Just spent Saturday night at the gateway inn with some friends, everything was good our rooms were clean , comfortable great selection of teas coffees etc , breakfast was spot on , whatever you wanted .and beautifully cooked and presented, we were on a Wowcher deal and is was really good value , all staff friendly and helpful, we would stay here again .

Very disappointed with this place. Food is normally very good however the past few times have been poor. Meats were fatty and not good to eat, very expensive for what you get. Burger just comes with chips, no salad or slaw and very standard burger. Desserts are all overpriced for just microwaved pieces of cake with half a scoop of ice cream. One staff member in particular is very rude and quite nasty. We were treat like a nuisance. Won't be returning here again, Black Labrador just up the road is much better!

Had a roast lamb. Fantastic as you can see from the empty plates. Reasonably priced for the quality. Highly recommend after a day if stomping.

We visited for dinner on a Saturday evening and unfortunately we were very underwhelmed. They appeared understaffed, as only 2 ladies were serving the whole restaurant. Being understaffed is no fault of their own, but one of the ladies was quite rude, bossy and unwelcoming which set the tone for things to come. The food wasn’t great at all. It all came lukewarm, chips were hard and cold inside, chicken was dry and tough so couldn’t be bitten into. Just very underwhelming and not made with love or care. We rarely complain at restaurants, but had to here as it was inedible. We were offered a ‘small discount’ but no replacement meal. I must also note that every other table in the area we were sat in also complained about their food, so it clearly wasn’t a good night for the chef! Super disappointing as I think this place has potential to be a warm, welcoming, hearty pub but it couldn’t be further from that currently.

Stopped by to kill some time between appointments. Indifferent welcome, carpet fitters working in one side of the pub, tables not set / ready for service in the ‘restaurant’ area ( pushed back against the wall down one side). £10 for a Fishfinger sandwich, which wasn’t fishfingers (or indeed goujons), it was a battered cod fillet straight out of the freezer! Served on granary bread (no choice) which was starting to go a little stale at the edges. Just poor execution to be honest. Still, the chef is clearly proud enough to put his name on the menu! Ah well, it was only a sandwich? This is a Daniel Thwaites property, they generally do better!

Only Sunday roast available was roast pork. When it came it was pork belly. Full of fat, as you would expect with pork belly, but not as advertised on menu & not what you’d expect for a roast dinner. Did express our dissappointment & was told they would give us a discount & report back to chef. As we had already complained we left it at that but the main meal was also luke warm, pudding option not available, chap looking after us very vague & slow service. All in all not a great experience.

Stayed 1 night 26/ 1/ 2024 Room large was tastefully decorated Large bathroom with shower and bath Hot water comfy bed . Dinner in restaurant No complaints service excellent. Table in front of log fire which was lit when we requested by Sean the duty manager. Would recommend and will return

Very pleasant experience - lovely staff- efficient, accommodating service. At first I thought the portion size for the chips with the fish and chip meal was on the small side. However, actually it was more than enough. Peas were inedible due to being too hard (garden peas only need to be shown the boiling water to be sweet and delicious!) . But all in all it was a very enjoyable meal and the fish and the chips were cooked to perfection- thankyou.

Hard to believe that the Gateway is owned by the same group that also owns the Duke of Cumberland in Kendal. Talk about "chalk and cheese"! Far superior meal here - same meals as had ordered at the Duke. Difference was the delicious food - couldn't fault it, attentive and friendly staff and a clean table.Will definitely return.

Living local we’ve always said we will call in here and today we did. Seriously good venue. Lovely ambience with a roaring log fire. Decent selection of beers including two of my favourites; Cruzcampo and San Miguel. Plenty of flavoured Gins. We were past the 4pm cut off for food but the chef accommodated us . We had a burger which was huge and the scampi. Both plates were well set out and wholesome. Friendly lady behind the bar and a pleasant experience on a cold wet Wednesday.

I visited with 2 friends and a dog on a Tuesday night in the middle of November. It’s fair to say the pub was quiet but everything about the food and service was A*! After being sat at a nice table in the conservatory which the waitress found for us as a nice spot for the dog to relax in, we browsed the menu, bursting full of British classics. Quite a few vegetarian choices too. My friends both opted for the Roast Beef dinner (unusual in being on all week round, but it worked well). They commented that the meat was nice and pink the veg were nicely cooked and the Yorkshire Pudding was nice and crisp. I had the smoked sausage and mash. The sausages had a great flavour and the mash tasted so smooth and full of butter! We all had plenty of room for pudding. 2 sticky toffee puddings and a cheesecake were made light work of, neither being too heavy. There were some bar treats for the dog who showed her appreciation by woolfing thrm down. The service was friendly and professional. The value for money was good. Only slight negative would be a sign maybe needed for the entrance as one of our party was from out of town and went past the entrance. All in all a great dining experience and we will be back!

The Gateway Inn in Kendal is a luxurious retreat offering elegant accommodations, exceptional dining, and impeccable service. The charming exterior and inviting lobby set the stage for a memorable stay. The well-appointed rooms provide comfort and style, while the attentive staff ensures every need is met. The onsite restaurant offers a delectable array of culinary delights, with a menu that showcases the finest seasonal ingredients and creative flavors. The prime location allows for exploring Kendal's attractions and easy access to the Lake District National Park. Whether for a romantic getaway or family vacation, the Gateway Inn promises an extraordinary dining experience. Lottie, Jordan and all the staff are amazing! They made a great hotel the best hotel we’ve ever stayed in!

The Gateway Inn is an incredible find! The menu has a great selection, and the staff are always very professional and polite. This is complimented by the intimate atmosphere created through their clever use of mood lighting, stunningly characterful decor, and a multitude of seating options such as round booths, bay window seating, as well as cosy arm chairs by the fire; perfect for this time of year. I also love this gem as it’s only a short drive from Kendal, but has so much charm as it’s away from the busy town centre and has so many options for a lovely view whatever time of year. The highlight though is the roast dinner, which is the best I’ve had in the Lakes this year! Every aspect is delicious, perfectly cooked beef, fluffy and crispy roasties/Yorkshire puddings, honey glazed roasted parsnips, and the star of the show is the unbelievably flavoursome gravy. I recently discovered the roast is now an option on the menu every night!!! They clearly have a star chef on their hands now, it’s a must try! I will definitely be returning multiple times in December and have highly recommended it to lots of people already!

Had a excellent Sunday lunch at the gateway Inn with family and our 2 doggies we will certainly be back lovely interior and friendly staff too 😁

Food was amazing, we had the beef and the lamb roast dinners. And it all tasted really good. We also had the cheesecake and sticky toffee pudding, which was fantastic as well. This was our first time here and we will be visiting again soon.

Just brilliant great food great staff fabulous interior worth every penny made our last night in lakes perfect. I can see why you have won awards well done all

The most insane lamb roast I’ve ever had , my children and hubby were over the moon with their meals and the puddings were to die for A lovely dog friendly restaurant and brilliant service we will definitely return

We were recommended to come here yesterday for Sunday lunch by our hosts. It is in a beautiful area, with beautiful views. We did book as we were not sure how busy they might get. We arrived early and were seated straight away by very...

Picked this hotel based upon TripAdvisor reviews but in hindsight, be wary as the majority of them are for the restaurant. Keeping my review brief: Nobody to meet us on arrival despite a phone call in advance. I eventually had to knock on the kitchen...

Best Sunday Lunch I've had for a long time! Great service, my mum and I really enjoyed the meal only sad we didn't have enough room for dessert!

Met friends for Saturday evening meal. Surprised by some of the negative reviews,our experience was very positive, friendly efficient service and really good meals. Chicken and ham pie highly recommended!

Meh. It was ok. The location is useful on the way into the lakes. The kids meals were quite modest portions. The main fish and chips was also quite a mean portion of chips. The tartare sauce was nice. The burger was good! They seemed...

Nice warm greeting on arrival, food was good, well presented and hot etc. Starters overpriced for what you got. Mains were good value as portions were generous. The staff were stretched as only 3 at front of house. They did well, however we had to...

I was very shocked at how this pub was run. The staff were slow and not very friendly. They did not seem to want to engage in any conversation and seemed unwilling to help. No one was on sections of the pub, keeping an eye...

Called on the way to the lakes . Enjoyed some lovely snacks, I had the garlic mushrooms on ciabatta it was delicious. My wife had the rarebit which also delicious. Staff were friendly especially the lady who served us, the place itself is immaculate we...

Had pre booked a table for 10+ and arrived at the time requested were shown to our table promptly and our order was taken in an acceptable time those who had ordered starters were brought out in a reasonable time but then unfortunately that’s when...

The initial service was good and very friendly staff at the bar and at the table. The food was subpar at best though. I had the garlic mushrooms to start and the mushrooms were tasteless and the bread was soggy. The mushroom ravioli was nice...

We went for a family lunch here,right from the start we were made to feel welcome, nothing seemed too much trouble. The food was lovely and the service was first rate. A few weeks ago we went for sunday lunch and it was the best...

Called in on the off chance and we’re not disappointed, very friendly staff and really welcoming, we both had the Sunday roast me beef my husband lamb, the food was delicious one of the nicest roast dinners we have had out and definitely worth the...

Calls in for some food here great views friendly staff plenty of room noticed the carpet was bare in places we all ordered fish and chips 1 which was gluten free I must say it was lovely crispy and well presented we all enjoyed they...

Stayed for a night in the family room whilst visiting the area. We found the hotel facilities and room being very pretty. Lovely design even our children commented on that. Good value for money too. We also enjoyed dinner and then breakfast in the restaurant....

We parked here ( for free) with our motorhome and were more than happy to eat in the restaurant. Fiona was very friendly and a great host . It is very dog friendly, the food was yummy - especially the garlic mushroom starter ( which...

Rather than just heading up the M6, we took a slight diversion to have lunch at this lovely pub and it was well worth it. We had booked a table but arrived early but this was not a problem. The service was friendly and efficient;...

Would highly recommend! Both the food and service were excellent! We would come back over and over again. + you HAVE to try their roast dinners, they are unbelievable!

My girlfriend & I always love The Gateway Inn. The food is great, and the staff are all lovely. We live locally, so we've been there quite a lot. On our most recent visit, when we ordered, we were apologetically told that, unfortunately, there would...

We booked on the last minute, table was set. Swift and correct service, good food and, in short, a good experience. We will be back. Keep it up.

Decided to go out for lunch and this was chosen by me. Not disappointed as the food was excellent, the staff were the same and it was a great pint of Thwaites Bitter.

I normally don’t write bad reviews as I myself work in the hospitality business but the dinning experience I just had at The gateway inn was extremely disappointing. First of all ,I’m guessing the manager, was extremely rude. Blonde haired older lady. We were sat...

Brilliant service and the Sunday roast were amazing. One of the best roasts we have had in a long time. Will be recommending family and friends. The beef and all trimmings were perfect .

Lovely staff, excellent, freshly prepared food with local ingredients, warm and welcoming and dog friendly. And the best pork chops I've ever had!

We had a very long wait for the two starters even though it was very quiet, and I had to send the garlic mushrooms back as they were far too salty to eat. My risotto also got sent back after one mouthful as it was...

Visited for a meal with husband & 5 year old while staying not far away. Pub very quiet not many people in. We were seated & ordered drinks. Eventually the waitress came to take our food orders. The adults ordered starters & asked for the...

I booked a two-night stay for my wife and I in the double/twin luxury room, paying a little more for the most expensive larger rooms they had and additional room amenities as per their website (bath robes and coffee machine, radio). I rang the hotel...

We have been here on several occasions for meals, both as a couple and as a larger family group for celebrations. The food is great and the revised menu is a plus. Staff are always friendly and helpful and the interior design and atmosphere all...

Staff here was a mixed bag. The staff member who served drinks to the table was helpful and obliging whereas her older colleague was rude and obnoxious. We had to wait a very long time for food which when it eventually arrived was overcooked, dry...

We stayed 2 nights at Gateway and it was all fab! The staff are kind and attentive! The food in the restaurant was delicious! Didn’t try the breakfast but wish we had. The rooms are lovely, decorated and cleaned very well! They are completely dog...

We stopped today for a late pub lunch. Staff were very friendly and advised us of a delay with food. Order taken swiftly and food arrived as stated. Food was amazing. As a family we travel to the lakes regularly and the Gateway Inn is...

Visited the Gateway Inn whilst staying in the area on holiday. Family of 4, we had two roasts the Gateway burger and a meal off the childrens menu. All were excellent, roasts were superb. If we lived local we’d be back again every Sunday! Can...

Had a good meal on the Saturday evening and booked for the Sunday roast, when we arrived we where shown to the table we sat for some then had to go to the bar for drinks, eventually waiter came for our order only to find...

My friend and I had a great meal at lunch time , lovely food and friendly, efficient service . Yhe restaurant is nicely appointed and has lovely views from the terrace. Thank you.

Looking for somewhere to eat at short notice whilst spending a weekend in Kendal. Good location 5 mins away from our hotel. Easy online booking. The food was lovely & could not fault it. Our servers where very polite & helpfull. Good selection of drinks....

Mushroom Risotto and Braised Ox Cheek - absolutely delicious, fantastic service - highly recommend 👍👍

I drive past most days and have noticed how busy it looks. Booked a meal and can see why. Lovely meal and good service, plus a good pint of Thwaites.

Splendid meal tonight. Cheese souffle perfect. Haddock and chips simply the best. Service splendid. Oh, and the bath was very welcome.

We went to this pub on my birthday. My boyfriend rang ahead to say that it was my birthday and asked if they could do something special. We very kindly were greeted with prosecco on arrival and a lovely dessert on the house. The waitress...

Where do I start first of all was lead into a fly infested conservatory that would not leave us alone then sat down to a sticky table that could take your first layer of skin off Waited 35 minutes for an overpriced burger and chips...

What’s a little find, fantastic home cooked food , highly recommend the game pie . Stopped over on the way to Windermere staff couldn’t be more helpful

Had to pay £2.50 for a Yorkshire pudding rip of . Food what we had was ok will not be back. Need to include yorkshires on every roast dinner not just beef

Like a similar review here the room we were given was on the top floor, extremely small and difficult access. It was only for one night so we did not make a fuss. But the dogs would not go up the stairs. We were disappointed...

First the cons: The rooms we had were on the top floor, accessible to by an ordinary flight of stairs then the steepest flight of stairs which turned making them skinny at one end, they were so bad that the dog was frightened to go...

Popped into The Gateway Inn on the way home from Cockermouth on a beautiful sunny day. We sat outside on the patio with our two puppies and enjoyed the sun and the view, however the atmosphere outside was somewhat spoiled by the busy main road...

Just popped in to 'The Gateway Inn' on the off chance that they could fit us in. They were busy with some large tables, but we managed to get a window table for the 3 of us. Despite being warned of a long wait for...

Had an absolutely wonderful meal here with my family, I had an amazing chicken dish, one a pasta and the others steaks which were all delicious. The only down side was the service which we found to be quite poor but that certainly wouldn’t put...

Arrived at the Gateway inn on the off chance off getting a meal after my daughter surprised me for mothers day. The roast beef was beautiful, great service and very accommodating . Made my day thank you

The menu is imaginative, food well prepared and delicious, good range of choice at a fair price. The staff are friendly and helpful. A good selection of drinks offered too.

Overnight stop off enroute from the West Country to the Highlands. Fantastic stay, every box ticked... Room, Staff, Food & Service all excellent. Will definitely stay here again

Decided to book a table here last minute and what a good decision! Absolutely delicious food with wonderful service/staff! We will return🥰Thank you x

We went here for Sunday lunch as it had pretty good reviews online. We both went for the roast beef and I have to say this was the best Sunday lunch we have ever had and hence compelled to write this review. The beef, parsnips,...

A friendly and pleasant visit. Had an elderly relative with us, not long out of hospital and lost confidence in going out. Decided to check if disabled access and we were surprised when she said she would try lunch. The staff member Gayna was extremely...

We popped in here after a day in the hills. The place is decorated to a very high standard and we turned up in our outdoor gear and felt very welcome. Very friendly staff and great table service. We had the curry and risotto -...

Just went for date night and totally blown away by the quality of the food, plus great service too. Chicken ballotine was spectacular, haddock and chips sublime and the cheesecakes, well they were just beautiful. Cannot praise it highly enough. (And their sticky toffee pudding...

Very surprised to read a review from a person who was disappointed, as this could not be further from our experience. From the warm friendly welcome to the hearty breakfast before we checked out every element of our stay was excellent. We only called in...

We booked with friends for my wife’s birthday, first of all drinks took a long time to arrive , we ordered starters and main meals, after waiting for an hour I asked when we would be served our starters, were told the starters had been...

Me and my partner went for tea this evening , warm welcome from the moment we walked through the door . Jordan , Conrad and Savannah couldn’t of been any more helpful and friendly. I have to say the food was exceptional, some of the...

Stayed here for one night visiting friends local, the room was lovely with everything you needed. Unfortunatly the food and service at dinner let it down. £33 for a fillet steak to be served with a few frozen chips and the mashed potato with the...

We've been using The Gateway quite a lot over the years and although it has changed hands a couple of times, it is still one of our favourite watering holes in the south Cumbria area. Very clean, friendly staff, and a good choice of food...

Popped by today for lunch for a table of two. Didn’t call to reserve a table, just turned up to be told that they were busy and a table wouldn’t be available for 45 mins. That was fine and I appreciate they were short staffed...

Me and my family visited on Christmas Eve. The gateway team made us feel so welcome on arrival, the service was spectacular! There was 14 of us and all the mains were fabulous, a few had the ox cheek who said it was the best...

We had a recent visit for a friends Birthday celebration . We occupied a large table .Great service and Lovely festive food . Restaurant very quiet probably due to covid such a shame as we all had a lovely time

Waited over an hour for our food. When it arrived the waiter dropped my partner’s Yorkshire Pudding on the floor and then proceeded to spill my gravy. That’s if you can actually call it gravy, it was tasteless watery liquid. The roast potatoes were over...

Pre-booking a table online for a meal last Saturday evening, we plumped for a 6.15pm slot. On arrival we were warmly welcomed by Findley and his excellent team, being shown to a nice table in a booth in the restaurant. We both enjoyed lovely starters...

Brilliant food and service . Would highly recommend . Steak was cooked perfect! It’s been been renovated to a high standard . I will be back

Absolutely gorgeous Sunday Lunch. 3 of us. One meat eater. One vegetarian and one vegan. They have managed to cater for all of us. Well done Chef, as the vegan i did not feel i was missing out on anything. The food was delicious. The...

Visited today for Sunday lunch with friends and was not disappointed, the staff were very welcoming and helpful, the surroundings were tastefully decorated and clean. From the start the waitresses were made aware of my friend being a vegan and they ensured that her dietary...

Just had a fabulous 3 night stay, breakfast was excellent, all staff were really friendly and helpful food was outstanding, made to feel really welcome, room was beautiful, well done everyone.

Not having been to the Gateway since it changed hands, we called in (unbooked) for a late lunch after shopping in Kendal. The experience was excellent. The food was mostly very good. The staff were friendly and smartly dressed while the decor, quality cutlery and...

Myself and my husband stayed a Saturday night at the Gateway Inn Kendal, when visiting family in Kendal. It was such a pleasant experience, the bedroom we stayed in was clean, nicely decorated, with a comfortable bed with nice bed linen, tea and coffee facilities....