The Punchbowl Inn

This is a lovely traditional pub with lots of nooks and crannies with a warming log burner. There is also a separate restaurant area. The staff here were all really welcoming and attentive which made for a lovely experience for my mum who doesn't go out often. The food was also very good with a wide range of choices. We enjoyed it so much that we've booked for a larger group next month. Definitely recommend this place. Warm and homely in the winter and then loads of out door seats for the summer months.

Wonderful hospitality on a rainy day. We arrived rather wet and were greeted with kindness and thoughtfulness. Despite the pub being very busy on a Sunday afternoon and only wanting a snack we were treated with the utmost courtesy thank you

Unfortunately not what it used to be. Along with most places, the food choice is much more limited and much more pricey than what we remember! I understand the reasons (Brexit, cost of living crisis, difficulty of getting staff), but it's such a shame when you look forward to returning to a pub that used to be one of your favourites to find a pretty mediocre choice of food. Also the black chairs in the garden are a health hazard and collapse very easily. Stick to the benches if you want to retain your dignity!

Haven't been here for a while, and was pleased to say it was just as warm and friendly as we remembered it. Food was excellent, beer was a delight, and we were well looked after, despite our two youngsters (7 & 4) causing chaos at times ;-)

My wife and I visited for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed it. The food was excellent and good portion size. The two staff members were very helpful but a bit dis-organized. I would very much recommend the prawn starter the sauce was amazing. I also enjoyed a tasty local blonde beer (Ullswater blonde)

Stayed one night here for dinner and breakfast...what can I say ..the food was exceptional, in a nice and relaxing atmosphere, had lobster ravioli, fillet steak(don't spoil it by asking for an additional sauce) and creme brulee, all 3 was probably up their with the best I've ever had, sat for a few relaxing drinks in front of a fire afterwards, The hotel itself, is set in a very peaceful remote setting, staff are fantastic, room was lovely, with a shower and a roll top bath, rooms spotless , bed lovely and comfortable, will definitely return

Wonderful welcome, very friendly and efficient staff. Our room was delightful with rustic beams comfortable bed and stylish free standing bath in a separate bath/shower room. Nice to see that it is still a lively pub with regular visitors, this adds to a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere. Of course the piece de resistance is the food which was on point, delicate flavourful, perfectly cooked, an imaginative menu without being too outre. There is a generous menu of wine by the glass plus reasonably priced botttles, alongside a more sophisticated listing. Would definitely recommend and will return. Thank you Punch Bowl!

We like to visit the punchbowl every few months. It is a lovely pub in a beautiful village. However, each time I have visited in the last 18-24 months I feel the that it has been on a gradual decline. The choice on the menu is very limited at times. The standard and quality of the cooking is declining, and the quality of ingredients used and quantity of them is becoming disappointing. At the same time as the prices rising. I understand that prices are bound to rise in the current climate. But not to rise and also be served sub standard food. Tonight I ordered a sirloin steak. To be quite honest I’m not even sure if it was a sirloin but a cheaper cut (if I’m wrong with this then I apologise) it was a pathetic piece of meat , none the less! It was so thin, and irregular that my medium rare steak was half well done, a quarter medium well & a quarter correct🤔. Should I really have to order every steak I ever order from an establishment as rare to even have any description of the word rare in the way it’s been cooked? I don’t think so! I really don’t want to pay £24 to sit down and eat an over cooked steak by a useless chef who’s getting paid for it when I cook a damn steak ten times better at home myself, ffs! And also, the mushrooms which we’re supposed to come with the meal was actually one mushroom the size of a fifty pence piece! I did not complain at the time I ate it, as one I might not have got a replacement anyways, and secondly if they had replaced it I would have to of waited another half hour by which time my family would have finished their meal. The only time we were asked if everything was okay was when I asked for the bill. I said my meal was poor but they did not particularly seem to be overly bothered. £136 bill for two adults & two children. Not very happy, very, very poor! 😡

Called in yesterday after long walk on the tops. My partner and I ordered the roast chicken dinner. On the plate were two thick lumps of chicken breast, plain mixed veg, a Yorkshire pudding, roast pirates and watery looking mash. The mash was bland, lacked butter and seasoning and was very watery. The veg , basically just boiled and bland. The Yorkshire ok, the roast potatoes ok. Where do I start on the chicken. I went to cut it and the knife wouldn’t do the job. It was tough. Managed to pull a bit apart with the fork, It was appalling. So tough, so dry, so tasteless. All I ate was the Yorkshire and 3 small roast potatoes. My partner, who never leaves anything, left his too. Like a lot of people I hate to complain, but I had to. When the young woman brought the bill £17.50 each, I said the chicken was tough. Her reply was ‘We have had some people says the knives were a bit blunt’. I said, it’s not the knives, it’s the chicken, it’s been over cooked and is so dry. She then said ‘We have had a few complaints on the chicken. I told her that was the worst Sunday roast I have ever had. What are you going to knock off the bill. She said nothing as we had both part eaten the meals. I said but I had not been able to eat the chicken , but no , she said we can’t knock anything off. So my Yorkshire and 3 small roast potatoes cost me £17.50. What a disgrace. She even said it’s not their fault the chickens they had got were not good. I said , it’s not the chickens, it’s how they’ve been overcooked and dried out. I was appalled that , they happily said about all the other complaints, but continued to serve the garbage. What bad management and bad attitude to their customers. We eat out a lot and my partner said, I’m glad you said something, it was really bad.