Drunken Duck Inn

The Lake District’s Drunken Duck Inn has been around for approximately 400 years, although it was previously known as the Barngates Inn.

It got its present name from an old story that tells the tale of a former landlady that found some ducks lying motionless at the nearby crossroads. Not wishing to let them go to waste she decided to cook the ducks and began to pluck away, only for them to suddenly come to life. Apparently the deep slumber had been caused by drinking from some leaking beer barrels.

The Duck offers 16 rooms of various shapes and sizes. Each is individually designed with a mix of antique furnishings and contemporary fittings.

The inn is perhaps better known for its restaurant. Making extensive use of local produce, it has won numerous awards including the Which Hotel Guide ‘Gastropub of the Year’.

The Drunken Duck is situated at Barngates, approximately 2 miles north of Hawkshead and 3 miles south-west of Ambleside.

Reviews / Comments / Additional Information

T sheard

Quite agree with most of those comments. Food very expensive and wine too expensive. Nice place though.

Bernard Webster

Having eaten at the Drunken Duck a number of times I was astonished at the negative reports on the food. Because it is a pub/diner with some lovely beers, customers seem to think that the food should be plain and simple. It is not. There are plenty of pubs doing hearty meals, but this is a chef with imagination and flair. Lovely homemade bread is supplied before the meal. The style is modern European with French influences without the cloying cream sauces. I have had beautiful scallops and a to die for fillet steak. So if you want a hearty cheap lakeland meal, go elsewhere, there are plenty of choices. If you want a well cooked meal, in comfortable surroundings with attentive service then go to the Duck. You need to book early for the Restaurant, otherwise you will eat in the rear bar area. Whilst this is adequate, it does not have the buzz or style of the restaurant proper.

Duncan

I am afraid that this pub has started to believe its own press. It is a fantastic location, the beer is excellent and the atmosphere terrific but the food, oh dear. It is expensive, pretentious and not very good; lacking sharpness and flavour. If you charge London prices then you should deliver London quality and I am afraid this is way off. Why not serve a high quality country menu, majoring on local produce and satisfying hearty appetites? Additionally, it was a real shame that despite booking a restaurant table we ended up sitting in the bar. This was not the plan for an expensive night out. My complaints fell on deaf ears and I was given the impression that I was the first to make such an observation. Interesting then that 3 tables in the same area all made exactly the same complaint that evening. Would I recommend it, absolutely not. This pub is good for a drink but please don't go for dinner at the rather up its self Drunken Duck.

Peter

I've never had the a la carte so can't comment on John's criticism. I've had items off the bar menu though and the sandwiches and Ploughman's are excellent. The pub is very welcoming and despite being busy, isn't noisy. Plus you can't beat the outdoor area. Best in the Lake District if you ask me.

John Desborough

We had been recommended the Duck by friends who had stayed there in the past.
On arrival, everything seemed ideal and we spent a very relaxing afternoon in the garden, by the tarn, with a bottle of champagne.
The bubble burst on reading the a la carte menu for Sunday evening (the only menu available). In our opinion the menu seemed to be more an indulgence of a whimsical chef rather than to tempt the tastebuds of the diners, or to satisfy their appetites. White chocolate and Stilton cheesecake doesn't do it for us!

Drunken Duck Inn

Reviews / Comments / Additional Information

Add Review