miss b loves .....the English Lake District ... and a very traditional Sunday lunch at The Drunken Duck.

The weekend before last,  I was craving a traditional English Sunday lunch with all the trimmings but without all the cooking so we headed off to The Drunken Duck near Ambleside, in the Lake District. We're very fortunate as it's just a forty-five minute drive from home.

The lunch was perfect......all served in separate dishes which I prefer so that you can take as much or as little as you like. 

Tender roast beef with impressive Yorkshire puddings presented on a wooden board ......

Cauliflower cheese served in a cute copper pan......

So many flavours on one plate.
Wonderful!

Apparently this traditional 300 year old Lakeland inn and restaurant (with an adjoining microbrewery too!) was named after ducks owned by a previous landlady in Victorian times.

Legend has it that the ducks passed out drunk after beer seeped into their feeding troughs. The landlady, believing them to be dead, started to pluck them. They woke up and she provided them with knitted waistcoats until their feathers grew back!

Another favourite place is Chesters by The River, a café and casual dining venue(owned by the same company and with the same excellent quality of food and level of service). Perfect for an after lunch coffee. 

It's located in a picturesque spot on the River Brathay at Skelwith Bridge ....

Normally we like to sit on one of the terraces but not when it's pouring with rain! These should definitely be called umbrellas rather than parasols ....

The interior décor is bright and modern, a complete contrast to the old-world charm of The Drunken Duck.

The gorgeous tissue paper pom poms are made locally in the Lakes from 100% recycled paper.

What a shame we couldn't manage one of their famous cakes. They even share their recipes on the side of the counter! The quantities show how very popular this place is .......

No visit would be complete without a wander around their fabulous shop with so many quirky and stylish bits and bobs .....

These recipe kits are such a clever idea ....Yorkshire Pudding and Classic Crumble.... 

...and the lip balms and Champagne apron would also make excellent gifts.....

We were delighted to see that they have now opened an old-fashioned cake shop in the corner of the store .......

It was almost closing time but fortunately they had not completely sold out. We quickly chose a selection to take home. Generous portions of classic British favourites.......  

There are so many rich and vibrant colours in the Lake District in the spring ........ 

This is an area of England which is stunning at any time of the year no matter what the weather decides to do!

As much as we love to travel around the world, it's important to remember and appreciate those special places closer to home!


Read about our previous visits to the English Lake District here and here