Punch Bowl Inn
Crosthwaite Lyth Valley LA8 8HR
There’s a lovely informality about the Punch Bowl, despite its undoubted gastro pulling power. It’s basically a stylish restaurant-with-rooms set inside a traditional country inn, not far from Kendal or Windermere, with the same menu available either in the slate-floored bar or more formal restaurant. For a light lunch this might mean prawn linguine or a steak ciabatta, but otherwise we’re talking updated bistro classics – pan-fried seabass, slow-cooked belly pork, ribeye steak and chips – delivered with panache and accompanied by a seriously good wine list and local ales. Reservations are pretty much essential.