Watermill Café in Allerdale

My wife and I visited the Watermill Cafe at 3.30pm on Saturday 26th October, the staff were getting ready to close at 4pm. We had travelled some distance for afternoon tea so they made a special effort to provide us with the full afternoon tea experience. There was a good choice of drinks, the tea i choose was great, i got 2 1/2 cups from the pot. The sandwiches were lovely, an ample salad was provided. After the sandwiches were brought out a cake stand full of cakes was presented with far too much cake to eat in one sitting, the cake we could't eat was packed into a takeaway box for later consumption. The staff were very attentive and provided an excellent service despite the fact that they were in the process of packing up for the day. We had a really loveley time and will return.

Quiche, salad, ice cream, crumble, coffee and jam all 5 star.

Nostalgic and takes me back to my childhood. Love to visit here. Lovely food and lovely staff. If attending in wheelchair I would suggest following the path past the side door and enter through the back door where the outdoor seating is. (It is a steep path)

Always a warm welcome even when busy and exceptionally good home made food.

Enjoyed our visit here. I had the carrot and courgette soup with a Cumberland sausage ciabatta with it. Kat had a tart with some amazing salads. A cafetiere of coffee and a green tea completed our meal. Really pleasant staff too. You can sit inside or out watching the village cricket on a weekend. Really nice experience.

It's really really expensive for what you get. My tart was microwaved to warm up with a soggy bottom (though otherwise quite good flavours). Each of the 5 sides salad just wasn't tasty. The flat white was dreadful. I can't tell you how embarrassed I was as someone who lives a couple of miles away taking a friend out for a light bite - fortunately the setting is great. For tourists only who don't know better unfortunately.

Very pretty location, even in the rain

Food was lovely staff helpful and friendly set in a beautiful place I will be coming back

Probably the best place in Caldbeck for a sit down coffee and a scone, but some room for improvement with the service.

A gorgeous little café inside an old watermill. It's on the Cumbria way so lots of passing walkers on a fine day. Popular when we were there. Another lovely place to revisit. This was a recommendation from our friend who lives in the local area.

We sat outside as had the dogs definitely needs some TLC. My friend went into order 2 take away hot drinks and 2 cheese scones. There was only 2 fruit scones left so my friend explained she would go outside and ask me if I'd like the fruit as that was the only option. When she went back immediately the girl had sold the last 2 fruit scones to the next customers. Very dissatisfied. 2 x 8 fl oz take away cups . 1 watery hot chocolate (no cream or marshmallows....just powder and hot water) And 1 weak cheap tasting coffee all for £6.20. Left feeling ripped off won't be back

Lovely little cafe in a Beautiful Place

Only had coffee and cake, so can't review other food, but the products I bought, especially their Christmas pudding and blackcurrant jam, were the best ever.

It's such a lovely place to eat 😋and so many lovely homemade jams, chutneys, etc

Lovely, quaint little coffee shop in an old watermill. We had a scone and traditional pot of tea, both were lovely. There was a lot nore on offer and they did Christmas lunches too. There are other little shops in the vicinity to pop into too.

It is big enough with plenty tables and coaches, as for small amount of people as for big company. It is clean and cozy decorations and antique items around that makes this place warmer. The only thing we didn’t expect that it’s self service. The menu is varied and big choice gif breakfast. Should to try local freshly baked scones but decided to go for club sandwich. Portions are big and salmon was very tasty. Additional bonus is craft shop and gallery. Highly recommended to visit and try after nice tour in mills.

Fabulous cafe, gorgeous homemade crumble and fruit scones, delicious sandwiches and freshly made to order with lovely salad. We even bought a homemade Christmas pudding 😁🎄and a jar of homemade blackcurrant jam.....divine

The food was nice for a decent price, service was quick and staff friendly. Dogs are welcome outside just not inside.

Wonderful cafe. From the real tea to their baking, well worth the visit. Their cakes are wonderful. A must visit cafe.

Delicious salads, homemade soup and cakes.

Lovely little café in Caldbeck, down by the beck itself. Not this blurry in real life

Berth pretty place with some gluten free cakes as well. Quaint, the building is lovely with surrounding converted gift shops. Lovely area, worth a visit

Friendly and tasty food. Delicious leek and cheese tart with a decent salad

We really enjoyed our lunch at the Watermill café. It serves delicious home cooked food and the salad selections are particularly good. It’s in a pretty village in a lovely setting with several independent craft shops.

Lovely little cafe, staff friendly, fair prices and in stunning location, even in the rainy weather ;)

A wonderful cafe, good food, good value, rustic old interior, outside seating. It has never disappointed.

Very welcoming staff. Lovely food overlooking the river. Local produce available too. We go every time we are on holiday in the Lakes.

Nice café, polite staff, good food. In a really nice village. Good selection of jams, chutneys and bags of teas and coffees. Great for presents for the family after our short break in the wonderful Lake District.

Great sandwiches, pleasant staff

Really lovely gorgeous old beautiful building in a beautiful village and beautiful homemade food. Ice cream looked great and the coffee was great. Thoroughly recommend. The church just opposite and the stream just a little climb down nearby are both worth a meander if you have the time.

Visited today, what a find. Delicious scones jam and tea. The service was first class, even had thunder and lightning ice cream 🍦

Great find for a coffee and snack before a lovely walk on the Cumbria Way. Bought some jam as well as Cumberland Sauce, a relish from medieval times. Hazel and I also enjoyed the experience of being served by three local girls with their own charms. Note also the shops part of the converted mill adding to the visit.

Food was lovely.setting was lush...prices as expected

Sat in the garden which was very pleasant. All homemade food which was very nice and good friendly service would recommend going here and the little shops next door.

Lovely local cafe, very friendly and warm. Coming from a city this felt cute and homely. The food is great and a good price, the staff are welcoming and helpful.

Lovely ambience in this cosy cafe. Great scones too, freshly baked 👌

Nice setting by the river and food was nice. Basic small menu consisting of usual Sandwiches, Jackets and cakes. However sadly it is well over priced for what you get and sadly for that reason I would not go again.

Whilst this is a charming cafe in idyllic surroundings, I am always amazed there are insufficient facilities and staff to handle the amount of covers they offer. We arrived and waited half an hour before I had to enquire about faster service due to my husband's illness. I was told they were busy but would get there ASAP. Another 20 mins and we placed our order waiting for a further 20 for the food and drink. As a business woman I know that if you offer tables I side to seat 50 people then you need the staff and kitchen to deal with processing order. A great shame as we won't go back again for fear of having to wait too long. And ..... the cheese scones would have been delicious had they been warm. So sorry for the review but a few tweaks and you'll be a 5 star.

Where do I begin? Firstly, one of our party is a vegetarian, which we made very clear upon ordering, she ordered cheese and chutney sandwich, and when it arrived there was a sausage in there! Secondly, clotted cream in a hot chocolate is insane! Just plopped on the top! The heat turned it to butter, how disgusting! To top it all off, the staff will serve you without even talking to you. They pretty much throw the food down at you. It’s such a beautiful place in a lovely setting, it’s just a shame that the staff have to ruin the atmosphere.

Had a Sunday lunch here at the beginning of October. One of our party of 3 had soup which was almost cold and went back into the microwave to get warmed up. 2 of us had the roast beef dinner. We were asked if we wanted horse raddish, I did my partner didn't. Left my beef until last and was still waiting for the horse raddish to arrive, young waitress seemed annoyed that I stopped her and asked for it. Got no response but a couple of minutes later got a small pot put on the table. The food was tasty, the service was poor, price was OK but probably wouldn't go back.

Watermill Cafe is just what we want. Lovely food, coffee is piping hot and the staff are always pleasant and helpful.

Superb friendly cafe. Enjoyed delicious tomato and basil soup n sandwich followed by a delicious fruit scone with jam and cream.

Proper tea room. Tasty soup - carrot and courgette.

Love this cafe food and staff excellent it was a lovely find. Beautiful village we will be back.

Nice and cozy cafe, friendly staff, good food, and good price, would recommend

Pleasent and quiet place for lunch, just the babble of the stream. Nice food...eat I side or out.

Only popped in for a cappuccino. Very quaint spot, in a lovely area. We will return for a meal later this year.

Lovely lunch before lovely walk round the houck

Great service. Food as always fresh.

Good menu, service and value for money.

A very warm and welcoming little cafe serving lovely sandwiches and cuppa's. Perfect way to finish off our walk! Hope to be back soon. 😊

On our visit , we were shown into an over flow room that could have done with a clean flat white coffee was bitter but the scones were very nice.

Brilliant experience staff wonderful.

Friendly service, good selection and interesting location.

Great Scones lovely staff. Platters super. Now table service.

Nice looking cafe with pretty if overgrown garden with shabby garden tables. Not a great range on the menu but we were happy with what we selected. Apparently soup and a sandwich is around £8.50 but we asked if we could both have salads with our sandwiches too. The menu adds extra to sandwiches for having a side salad....bit strange but hey ho. So we had two soup and sandwiches, both with a side salad. Two teas and an ice cream for my daughter When I went to the till we were charged £34 approx. I should of said immediately but I was gobsmacked. So two soup and sandwiches £17, one ice cream £2.25, so the teas and side salad which consisted of some vinegary carrot, celery in yoghurt and some iceberg lettuce cost £14. If the owner of the cafe sees this I would be happy to show them the receipt

Excellent place for cake and coffee

Great food in nice surrounding.

Cheese scones appeared to have had been made using sawdust instead of cheese, tea had no taste and our server no smile.

Lovely little garden at the back for a nice coffee ☕️

Lovely location to enjoy some jacket potatoes, and the rest of the menu was tempting too !

Gorgeous coffee, great food and fab service

Wonderful Sunday lunch !Perfectly cooked and so tasty Roast Beef mash yorksire puds roast potatoes gravy red cabbage carrots and broccoli Pud Bramble and Apple pud and custard Leon and lime cheese cake with pouring cream delish

Very nice food, and pleasant staff

Always a pleasure good food and friendly staff.

Really friendly service & well cooked, tasty food. The tomato & basil soup was gluten free and divine. Definitely worth a visit.

A WONDERFUL CAFE. THE FOOD IS GREAT.the lady works so hard looking after people The sunday roasts are brilliant.. We love popping in for coffee and cake

Have enjoyed a cup of coffee & a bit of cake here for years. A great place to sit and chat always a warm welcome

Great food and salads at this nice old watermill. The salads are especially good. Highly recommended.

Little coffee shop with some charms but that's it! We been there at 10am, and everything we was asking for to eat the lady just said shhe got nothing ready when she opened at 9am. Very disappointed because it's the only coffee/breakfast place around. We get at the end a little bacon roll without any side and just 2 slices of bacon in, and 1 egg sandwich with chips as side because nothing else was ready. But of course she makes us paid full price!! Very disappointed !!!

Such a nice place, food was clearly fresh and homemade. Polite staff and good location. Cannot rate highly enough.

Really delicious food, I highly recommend this place if you're in the area. The smoked salmon and prawn salad was divine, and my husband's cheese and ham platter looked amazing too. Nice outside seating area under the trees and overlooking the cricket pitch, where we sat with our dogs. Friendly staff and short waiting times too.

Nice coffee & tea cakes, super blackcurrant jam 😋

Great place, so peaceful and good food.

Super little cafe tucked away near the river. Covid restrictions apply as with everywhere at the moment. Operating table service both inside and in the outdoor area. Had views of the the immaculate cricket club. Pity no match on. Carrot cake was the best I have tasted for sometime. Shop also sold some local jam. The strawberry one is to die for, not cheap at £4.50 a jar but you get what you pay for. Overall lovely little village away from the maddening crowds of the Lake district hot spots.

Lovely spot. Nice garden area. Great service.

Lovely setting. Very tasty food. Served by friendly efficient staff.

Great staff great inside out door seating area very pretty relaxing with the waterfall besides you. Dog friendly. Great customer service

Very nice, good food & friendly staff. Well worth a vist. 😀😀😀

Amazing home cooked food. We had soup sandwiches, REAL hot chocolate and a mouth watering crumble and custard alongside other tasty cakes..A hidden gem in itself. The inside has great character, the aura is cosy and comforting which is perfect after walking through the frosty fields.. Will definitely go back again! Thankyou to the owners for having us :-)

Lovely food, lovely staff, lovely stuff!

Sat outside when the rain had stopped with our two dogs. Enjoyed a lovely latte and jam and cream scone. Very friendly staff.

Very friendly staff, food was delicious!

Lovely setting and great range of teas and coffees. Would have been 5 star but the butter would have done well to have been more generous, not quite enough to spread thinly on even half.

Good welcome. Doing their best to follow Covid restrictions. Sat outside in autumn sunshine , quality coffee and bacon roll, good stop on long bike ride. Will return.

We went on spec for tea and cake after walking the dog around the lovely village of Caldbeck. We were close on shutting, but could not have been more hospitable. The tea was proper loose leaf with a strainer supplied and both bots of cake were lovely. Highly recommended.

Quaint tea shop serving looseleaf teas, infusions and coffee, alongside delicious cakes etc. Wonderful old building - part of a watermill. Very friendly staff.

Excellent food in great surroundings.Not to be missed

Secluded place in beautiful village with imaginative selection of snacks and light lunches and outdoor seating.

We enjoy our americano and mocha, and treat ourselves to a cheese scone and flapjack. We are outside and everyone was abiding with the social distancing rules x

Had one of their Friday night curry take outs and it was absolutely lovely. Very fresh beautifully flavoured and good value.

Delicious food, made from scratch. Always a friendly service. Our family have come here for years & now my kids come. Sometimes I just pop in for a tub of Ice-cream.

Like this place great food nice atmassfear

Beautiful location and off the beaten track of tourists, kind of a hidden gem. Food is very nice and a very good selection, its not a cheap place to eat so dont expect burgers, but what is available is amazing.

Stopped hear for coffee , cheese scones and carrot cake. Delicious and very good coffee. Will certainly call again.

Welcome respite from a cold wind. Good selection of cakes and both hot and cold drinks.

Cosy atmosphere. Excellent cup of tea and nice date slice.

Providing good tasty food with a friendly smile for scores of years. Look very young considering

Really enjoyed our visit...we found this treasure by accident..the river was in full flow it was a spectacular sight...the cafe is intimate, cosy and the food was great...as an added bonus it is surrounded by craft shops full of creative artistic gifts designed by local artists..beautiful and inspirational

Carrot and parsnip soup with cheese scone. Lovely. What more could you ask for on a beautiful frosty day.