We found ourselves stopping off at the Queen’s Head Hotel on our way back from walking to Hayeswater in Patterdale.  The Queen’s Head is a former 17th century coaching inn, overlooking the Troutbeck valley, on the Windermere side of the Kirkstone Pass.

A fire devastated the building in 2014, and after extensive work to rebuild it, the new Queen’s Head finally reopened its doors in April 2017.

And it doesn’t disappoint.  The building is beautiful, and has maintained all of its character and history.  The food is absolutely delicious.  A blend of home cooked classic pub food, but with a Cumbrian flair.

Real ales on tap include Overhang, Patterd’Ale, dizzy blonde, Trooper and Cumbria Way.  There was also a good selection of ciders, lagers, gins and soft drinks available.

The food menu consists of either delicious bar nibbles and hot/cold sandwiches or proper dinners including delights such as Cumberland curl sausage with a creamy leek mash and smoky bacon gravy and British mussels in white wine, garlic and cream with triple cooked chips and crusty bread and butter.  They had a good selection on the children’s menu too.   Full menu details (Sept-17) are shown below in the photos.

The service was impeccable, the dining areas modern and cosy, and the atmosphere friendly and welcoming.  For those sunny days there are tables outside, plus a large car park.

Walks near here include Hayeswater, Adelaide Hill, Troutbeck-Brockhole Loop, Gowbarrow, Brotherswater and Aira Force.

Picnic spots near here include Brotherswater.

For more family walks, great picnic spots and pubs, stay up to date and “like” our facebook page Family Walks and Pubs in the Lake District and follow us on Twitter @familywalklakes