Portinscale and Keswick Trip

Rob, Brock and I had a walk from Portinscale, via Ullock, along Newlands Beck, past the Swinside Inn and Hawse End and back towards Portinscale past Lingholm and Nichol End. The walk is about 4.5 miles long, over fairly flat and even ground. You can find the same walk in the Footprint guide: Walks Around Keswick, Number 13.

Before we set out, we had coffee and a cake at The Chalet Tearoom and Restaurant in Portinscale. We both enjoyed what we had and might go back for a lunch or dinner another time.

[Click on any photo to see a larger version. You can just make out people on the mountain ridge shown in the third photo!]

We drove into Keswick afterwards for lunch at The Lakeland Peddlar, only to find that it had gone (three weeks ago, the waitress told us), and a new restaurant, Maxwells, was in its place. Since they allowed dogs, we decided to give it a go.

I had the mezze platter £8.45 (including, hummus, feta pate, tsatskiki, olives etc with gluten free bread option)

Rob had the Ploughman's £8.50.

As you can see there was plenty to eat. I found the dips and felafels on mine a little bland - more garlic, lemon juice, herbs or spice required, I think, but it was great to be able to have gluten free bread, and the coleslaw and curried potatoes were nice. Rob's Ploughman's came with loads of cheese, salad, onion relish (again a little bland), and balsamic vinegar pickled onions, which were tasty.

Other menu items included soup, sandwiches, tapas and seafood options.

I prefer The Abrahams Tea Room in George Fisher, however, this has the advantage of allowing dogs, which is useful during the warmer weather.