The best restaurants in Levens South Lakeland North West

Fabulous food in a very busy Wheatsheaf on Saturday 24th May 2025. A super new menu with some value favourites such as fish, chips ‘n mushy peas and some new interesting mains such as cheese soufflé and individual steak pies. A great atmosphere with a lively buzz! Definitely going back again VERY soon! 😋

Been coming here for a couple of years now. Think its time to change menu though. Bored with this one now. And whats happened to the prices 😳 Very average food, Small portions. With huge prices. My sister thought i was joking when i told her the price of a small 2 portion flatbread, with cheese. At £9 a time, for something you can buy for 50p in local shop, is truly ridiculous !! . Shocking prices !Wont be back anytime soon., unless they change menu and reduce some of the prices. There are far better places in the vicinity, without the crazy prices.

Absolutely outstanding. We dropped in with kids (family of 5) and a dog for a Good Friday dinner. Suffice to say, the food was top notch and the kind and attentive service made the visit well worth it. The quality of the presentation and the taste of dishes was right up there with many high end restaurants. It’s an absolute gem of an establishment and if you’re close by and need some gastro pub food this is the place to go

Staying nearby overnight, we were recommended this place for a meal and it didn’t disappoint. We weren’t booked in and we had a labrador with us, not a problem - we can seat you upstairs. The food was very good, beer even better, and the building and views fantastic. Wouldn’t hesitate to return here if or when we are in the area again.

My ceilidh band and I (@priceofmypig), played here last night. Was a lovely venue with a great atmosphere and lovely views. The staff were friendly and professional.

We were travelling up to the Lakes from our home in Cheshire and wanted to stop for some lunch. I had mentioned Levens Hall, even though we had not been before. I was very impressed. It was easy and free to park. Everything was easily accessible and situated round a courtyard. We sat outside with our dog. Our lunch order was placed and paid for then brought to the table by very pleasant staff; no waiting and balancing drinks and plates trying to negotiate doorways etc. It was all so efficient. We only had sandwiches, but they were fresh and beautifully presented. Also succumbed to a slice of the delicious beetroot and chocolate cake; one of a variety of tempting cakes on offer. We visit the Lakes a couple of times a year. Levens Hall will be a regular stop en route for us from now onwards.

Staff cant cope. Went today at 10:30am. Had a short walk with our dog and then sat outside and ordered 2 coffees and a cake and waited and waited and waited. 25 mins later, seeing others being given their coffee’s and cakes as soon as they ordered them, my husband went back to see where our order was. Having queued another 5 mins at kiosk ! Beautiful as the place may be, if you wait something as simple and quick as coffee and cake, be prepared for a long wait. I cant say they were over busy , but they were clearly struggling to cope with demand. Hate to think what it will be like Easter weekend !

Sunday lunch very poor. Initially cold before being re-heated upon request. The sirloin steak was tasteless and chewy. Overall bland meal and very disappointing. Also an unsettling quiet and subdued atmosphere despite being Father's Day.

The cottages on this site are great for self catering.

Decided to have lunch after vowing castle / grounds. Big cafe lots of tables outside. Pretty standard menu. I had ploughman’s (£11). Massive chunk of bread, but no butter. I asked for some & did get two pats. The bread needing cutting in two, knife not sharp enough…. No dressing on the salad & despite looking couldn’t find any mayo etc. Cheese was healthy portion & tasty. Probably just about worth £11 but no more. My wife had tuna sandwich & the bread was hard on the outside (left under heat lamp?). Tuna was bland & obviously not seasoned. Don’t think we’ll eat here again on this visit.

Yet another couple who found it impossible to work for Humphrey Smith. Their initial enthusiasm quickly turned to despondency as long, poorly-paid hours and the policicies of this despotic boss put paid to the career ambitions of two more promising young managers. Such a crying shame, as this is a wonderful pub in a great location. One wonders how the young Sam Smith can bear to watch his father's policies and attitude decimate the Brewery Estate, compromise his inheritance and turn the feudal Tadcaster into a ghost town. Even the flagship brewery tap, The Angel and White Horse, next to the Brewery has long since closed down. A recent, polite telephone enquiry to the Head Office as to the reason for the sudden closure of The Heversham Hotel and the likelihood of its re-opening was swiftly and curtly deflected by 'I'm afraid we cannot comment'. In view of Mr. H. Smith's inability to retain his pub managers, it's very surprising that there is anyone left at The Old Brewery in Tadcaster who is prepared to stay on and brew his otherwise very pleasant and reasonably-priced beers. I wonder how they put up with his tantrums and volatility? It is to be hoped that son, Sam Smith, will reverse such an egregious management style and salvage the reputation of this once very popular and highly-regarded historic Yorkshire Brewery.