Review: The Drunken Duck Inn – a long-time favourite
Where is The Drunken Duck Inn?
The Drunken Duck Inn is a 4-star hotel in Barngates, Ambleside and the former farmhouse has long been a favourite for many visitors to the Lakes. Whether that be to enjoy an exceptional meal and have a few drinks or to stay for a couple of nights.
We visited on the last day of our stay in the Lakes and chose to walk from our accommodation at Ees Wyke Country House. The walk was enjoyable down some lovely country roads and took us about an hour and a half. We definitely earned our first pint.
Do I need to book?
A table in the restaurant is automatically guaranteed by booking a room – but if you’re just looking to dine without staying over, booking a table in advance is essential, especially for dinner.
It’s worth noting that dogs are not permitted, either in the restaurant or the rooms.
What’s on the menu at The Drunken Duck Inn?
As you might expect for a venue listed in the Michelin Guide, this is no ordinary pub grub.
The menu offers a series of complex, characterful dishes – but there’s no pretension or fussiness.
Starters such as crab, chive and apple crumpet with Parmesan or shitake mushroom and sesame gyoza with red pepper broth and pak choi are followed by hearty but elegant mains – think halibut with bouillabaisse, fennel, ratté potatoes and mussels, or pork belly with white bean and chorizo.
A highlight of our visit was the rich venison bourguignon suet pudding, served with sticky red cabbage and parsnip.
The wine list is worthy of a top restaurant, with plenty available by the glass, and ales are brewed on-site.
Lunch in the restaurant is served from 1pm until 2.30pm, with dinner from 6pm – 8pm. Two courses will set you back £35, with three courses for £45.
Want to stay over?
The 13 elegant rooms (no two the same) have private bathrooms, with some offering private balconies or patios, lake views and free-standing bathtubs.
There’s high quality complimentary toiletries, flat screen televisions and free Wi-Fi, and you also get a full English breakfast, afternoon tea and scones on arrival, with complimentary tea and coffee on request.
Guests also get access to facilities at the nearby Langdale Country Club.
