Cute country inn with eclectic design and great food in Lake District, North England
The Hare & Hounds Inn / Bowland Bridge / Cumbria / United Kingdom
Imagine this: Rolling hills with morning mist just barely covering the floor of the valley. An old stone bridge arching over a gentle creek. Sheep lazily munching away in endless fields that seem to stretch into eternity. A scene that is almost too British. And yet, it does exist and it is in this incredibly beautiful setting where you’ll find the cozy The Hare & Hounds Inn.
The owners, friends Andrew and Simon, had a dream of owning their own place and decided to go for it when this 17th century coaching inn became available, located in Bowland Bridge in the stunning Lake District. Although it is a mere 10 min drive to bustling Windermere, the scene is completely different. It feels like you are miles away, hidden in the Winster Valley where the pace is calm and relaxed. It is funny, it is almost like I am expecting a character from classic British TV-show Emmerdale to come through the pub door any minute.
This is a country inn with a twist where a traditional pub interior has been combined with more contemporary design elements including art from Tracey Emin. The first thing you notice when entering are the low ceilings, the exposed beams and bottle-green panelling, and in the corner the most important part of any pub, the bar. Besides this you’ll find a log burner, sturdy wooden tables, vintage lamps and country inspired decoupage that adds to the cozy.
The 4 rooms are upstairs from the pub. We stayed in the one called Yan, which was facing the front patio of the pub. The room was spacious and painted in a rich forest green, matched with a striped bed, patterned textiles and dusty pink bed throw. On top of this, some botanical art work, heavy drapes and vintage furniture and lamps. The bathroom was huge with panelling in a soft green hue combined with cream colored walls.
It was such a joy laying in bed with the window open, listening to the voices of patrons sitting outside on the patio in the evening sun enjoying a pint or two.
The serene hamlet of Bowland Bridge, in the lush Winster Valley.
Almost there. Just need to cross the old bridge…
…and on the other side is the destination, the Hare & Hounds Inn.
Love how the entrance is framed with an array of different flowers.
The heart of the pub, the bar.
Our forest green room paired with dusty pink bed throw and patterned textiles.
The bathroom was super spacious, lined with soft green panelling and cream colored walls.
The pub downstairs is an eclectic mix of classic pub furniture paired with some contemporary art and vintage lamps.
Let me describe a perfect day when staying at the Hare & Hounds Inn. Get up early while the morning mist is still covering the base of the valley.
Drive 5 minutes down the country road to the parking lot for the Gummer’s How hike.
It is a short hike to the top and is a perfect pre-breakfast hike with wonderful views of Lake Windermere.
Then back to the inn in time for…
…breakfast. It is served as combo of buffet style and á la carte and so delicious.
Once the energy levels are restored, time for the second hike of the day. This is Lake Grasmere.
Magnus stopping for a moment to enjoy the view on our way to the top of Loughrigg Fell. I know, it sounds like something straight out of Game of Thrones.
Me stopping for a dip in Loughrigg Tarn. Didn’t bring any swim trunks so underwear had to do.
We finished the hike in Ambleside, a cute little village, just off Lake Windermere.
A great place for food in Ambleside (there are several) is Tap Yard, right next to the creek. Great pizza and burgers, perfect post-hike food.
Stopped on our way back to the inn at Homeground Coffee + Kitchen in Windermere. Great coffee and treats. Didn’t have any sweet stuff since across the street was this place…
…The Little Ice Cream Shop, a superb little artisan ice cream shop.
Back at the hotel in time for dinner, and what could be better than to end a perfect British day with a perfect gourmet version of a British classic, fish & chips at the pub downstairs. And after the meal, just retreat back up to our room, slip into bed and fall asleep to the soft murmur from the pub patrons sitting on the patio in the late Summer evening.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…love small, personal country inns with eclectic design where the service is affable and there is great gastro pub food waiting for you one floor below. If this is your thing, you should book a stay at The Hare & Hounds Inn.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is how the bold design has been done without ruining the authenticity of this place. It is still very much a country pub with rooms, but the rooms are just really beautifully done up with a contemporary feel to them.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to have at least one meal at the pub. The food is great where pub classics are served with a twist. Another thing one must do when here is to do at least one of the many scenic hikes. There are plenty to choose from depending on what level of challenge you are up for. Remember to bring swimsuits so you can go for a dip along the way in one of the lakes.
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