It is a long, winding drive up from Ambleside. You’ll probably think you’re lost. Most people do. The roads get narrower, the stone walls close in, and suddenly, sitting at a high-altitude crossroads between Hawkshead and Coniston, there it is. The Drunken Duck Inn Barngates looks exactly like what you’d imagine a 16th-century Lakeland pub should be—whitewashed walls, dark wood, and a heavy silence broken only by the occasional bleat of a Herdwick sheep.
Honestly, it’s a bit of an anomaly.
In a region where "gastropub" is often code for overpriced frozen chips and a sticky carpet, the Duck has managed to keep a weirdly perfect balance. It is posh, sure. But it hasn't lost its soul. You’ve got hikers in muddy boots sitting next to people who clearly arrived in a Range Rover wearing pristine cashmere. It works. It shouldn't, but it does.
The Weird History Behind the Name
You’re probably wondering about the name. It isn't just a marketing gimmick.
Legend has it—and the locals will verify this with a straight face—that a former landlady once found her ducks dead in the road. Being a thrifty Victorian woman, she started plucking them for dinner. Mid-pluck, the ducks started waking up. It turns out a beer barrel had leaked into their feeding ditch, and they weren’t dead; they were just catastrophically hungover. Feeling guilty, she allegedly knitted them little flannel waistcoats until their feathers grew back.
True? Maybe. It’s the kind of story that gets better after two pints of Cracker ale.
The building itself has been around since the 1500s. You can feel it in the floorboards. They creak. They slope at angles that make you feel drunk before you've even had a drink. This isn't a purpose-built hotel; it’s a sprawling, organic piece of Cumbrian history that has evolved from a simple alehouse into one of the most respected dining destinations in the North of England.
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What It’s Actually Like to Stay There
Rooms here aren't your standard Marriott affair.
If you book a room at the Drunken Duck Inn Barngates, you’re getting something distinct. Some rooms are in the main house, others are in the converted courtyard. They use a lot of local slate. Farrow & Ball colors. It’s "country house chic" without being stuffy.
But here is the catch: it's popular. Really popular. If you try to book a Saturday night three weeks out, you’re going to be disappointed. You basically have to plan your life around their availability calendar.
- The Garden Rooms: These feel more modern. Great if you want to step right out into the crisp Lakeland air.
- The Main House: More traditional. Think low ceilings and the smell of woodsmoke.
- The Views: Because it sits so high up on the fells, the view toward Windermere and the surrounding mountains is, frankly, ridiculous.
Breakfast is a highlight. Forget the sad buffet heat lamps. We’re talking local Cumberland sausage, black pudding that actually tastes like something, and eggs with yolks so orange they look painted. It’s the kind of fuel you need if you’re planning to tackle Black Crag or Tarn Hows later that morning.
The Barngates Brewery Connection
You can’t talk about this place without talking about the beer.
They have their own brewery right on-site. Barngates Brewery started in the back of the pub in the late 90s and eventually grew into its own dedicated facility. This is why the beer is so good. It hasn't traveled three hundred miles in a hot truck. It’s piped in from a few yards away.
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- Cracker: A classic amber ale. It’s their flagship. Very balanced.
- Tag Lag: Named after a local sheep, apparently. It’s a stronger, darker pale ale.
- Red Bull: No, not the energy drink. A rich, ruby ale that hits the spot on a rainy November afternoon.
Most pubs in the Lake District serve the same three national brands. The Duck doesn't. They lean into their identity. When you sit in that bar area—which, by the way, still allows dogs—you are drinking the landscape. It sounds cheesy, but it’s true.
The Food: Gastropub or Fine Dining?
This is where the debate usually starts. Is it a pub that serves food, or a restaurant with a bar attached?
The menu at the Drunken Duck Inn Barngates changes with the seasons, which is a phrase every restaurant uses, but here it actually means something. If it's autumn, expect venison and root vegetables. If it's spring, it's all about that Cumbrian lamb.
The dining room is a bit more formal than the bar, but not "white tablecloth" formal. It’s more "well-tailored tweed" formal. You’ll see dishes like pan-roasted cod with samphire or a duck breast (ironic, I know) with a cherry reduction. They don't overcomplicate things. They just use really high-quality ingredients and let them talk.
One thing to note: they do a fixed-price lunch menu that is actually a bit of a bargain compared to the evening rates. If you’re hiking nearby, it is worth the detour just for that. Just make sure you’ve wiped the mud off your legs.
The Logistics: Getting There and Staying There
Don't rely on your GPS blindly.
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If you are coming from the south, the SatNav might try to take you up some "roads" that are basically goat paths. Stick to the main routes toward Hawkshead then follow the signs for Barngates.
- Parking: It’s tight. The car park is small and often full of diners who aren't even staying the night. Get there early if you’re checking in.
- Connectivity: It’s the middle of the fells. Cell service is spotty at best. The Wi-Fi works, but you shouldn't be coming here to check your emails anyway. Use it as an excuse to go off the grid.
- Walking: You are perfectly positioned for the Black Crag walk. It’s a relatively easy ascent and gives you one of the best 360-degree views in the entire Lake District.
Why It Matters in 2026
The Lake District is changing. It's getting busier. More corporate.
Places like the Drunken Duck Inn Barngates matter because they are still family-owned in spirit. They represent a specific type of English hospitality that is disappearing. It’s expensive, yes. A pint here will cost you more than in a backstreet boozer in Carlisle. But you aren't just paying for the liquid; you’re paying for the preservation of a vibe.
It’s the quiet. The way the mist sits in the valley below the inn at 6:00 AM. The fact that they still have a real fire going in the hearth when the horizontal sleet starts hitting the windows in February.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you're actually going to do this, do it right.
- Book your table when you book your room. Do not assume you can just wander down for dinner. The restaurant fills up weeks in advance, even for residents.
- Visit in the shoulder season. May or September. The crowds are thinner, the light is better for photos, and you might actually get a seat by the window.
- Try the Barngates sampler. If you can't decide on a beer, ask for a flight. It’s the best way to experience what the brewery is doing without falling off your chair.
- Walk to Tarn Hows. It’s a manageable stroll from the front door and one of the most photographed spots in England.
- Check the weather twice. Barngates is high up. If it's raining in Ambleside, it's probably snowing or sleeting at the Duck. Bring a proper waterproof jacket.
Staying at the Drunken Duck Inn Barngates isn't about luxury in the gold-faucet sense. It’s about "quiet luxury"—the luxury of being somewhere that feels authentic, remote, and incredibly well-cared for. It’s a benchmark for what a Lakeland inn should be. If you haven't been, you're missing the soul of the fells.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the official website for "Midweek Escape" packages, which often include dinner.
- Download an offline map of the Barngates area; GPS will fail you on the backroads.
- Look up the Barngates Brewery stockist list if you want to take some bottled Cracker ale home with you.