Name: The Drunken Duck Inn
Address: Barngates, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0NG
Price range: US$204+
Rating: 8.8

The Drunken Duck Inn Ambleside Exterior photo

The Drunken Duck Inn Ambleside Interior photo

Key details

About the Hotel

Barngates, Ambleside, LA22 0NG

Near Lake Windermere

Great

8.3

/10

3.8

4.3

Loved by The Drunken Duck Inn guests

Super views

Great atmosphere

Excellent staff

Delicious food

The Drunken Duck Inn - A historic pub with mountain-view rooms, craft ales, and access to Langdale leisure facilities

The Drunken Duck Inn provides accommodation in a cream-rendered building that has operated as a pub for over 300 years. Rooms feature private entrances, mountain views from terraces, and rustic-chic bathrooms with walk-in showers. The open kitchen serves a short-choice menu including dishes like treacle-glazed beef shin and hake with pickled samphire. Guests can enjoy around six or seven house-brewed ales at the bar, complimentary afternoon tea, and free access to the Langdale Hotel's leisure facilities. The property is located two-and-a-half miles from Ambleside, near Windermere cruises and Hawkshead with its Beatrix Potter connections. Nearby landmarks include Tarn Hows (3 km) and Brockhole on Windermere (4 km). A continental breakfast is available each morning at The Drunken Duck Inn.

Pros

The historic pub offers a quirky, contemporary-country style with a relaxed atmosphere.

Rooms include private terraces with mountain views and rustic-chic bathrooms.

Complimentary afternoon tea and access to Langdale leisure facilities are provided.

The bar serves house-brewed ales, and the open kitchen prepares seasonal dishes.

Cons

The location at a crossroads may require a car for convenient access.

Dinner reservations are limited, with the largest bookable table accommodating six guests.

Select your room type

The Drunken Duck Inn offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Superior King Room
2 persons
165 sq. feet
1 King-size bed / 2 Single beds
Bathtub
Heating
room details
Standard King Room
2 persons
130 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
King Room Mountain View
2 persons
120 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed
Heating
Shower
room details

Show all rooms

Room Rates & Availability Calendar

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Facilities

The Drunken Duck Inn offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Great

8.4/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
VIP check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers

Services

Pet amenities available
Room service
Housekeeping
Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Picnic area/ Tables
Special diet menus

Children

Cots
Board games
Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

Garden area

Room features

Heating
Sitting area
Patio
Garden furniture
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

The Drunken Duck Inn Location

Barngates, Ambleside, LA22 0NG

Map view

City landmarks

Castle

Wray Castle

1.5 mi

Landmark

Tarn Hows

1.8 mi

Gallery

Beatrix Potter Gallery

1.9 mi

Landmark

Skelwith Force

1.4 mi

Landmark

Blelham Tarn

1.1 mi

Landmark

View point looking north west

1.0 mi

Landmark

Ambleside Roman Fort

1.9 mi

Landmark

Latterbarrow

1.7 mi

Park

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

4.2 mi

Landmark

Hawkshead Courthouse

1.5 mi

Landmark

St Margaret's Church

1.4 mi

Garden

Stagshaw Garden

2.1 mi

Landmark

Brockhole on Windermere

2.4 mi

Landmark

Hawkshead Grammar School

2.0 mi

Camping

Skelwith Fold

1.9 mi

Church

St Michael and All Angels Church

2.0 mi

Landmark

Colwith Force

1.9 mi

Landmark

Wray Castle Summer House

1.5 mi

Landmark

Hawkshead and Claife

1.9 mi

Landmark

Tarn Hows Viewpoint

1.6 mi

Gallery

The Fitzwilliam Gallery

2.0 mi

Farm

Hawkshead Hall Farm Campsite

1.9 mi

Museum

National Trust Hill Top

3.7 mi

Landmark

Borrans Park

2.0 mi

Landmark

Lake Windermere

3.6 mi

Landmark

Hawkshead Hill Chapel

1.8 mi

Landmark

Tom Ghyll Waterfalls

1.8 mi

Church

Hawkshead Methodist Church

1.9 mi

Landmark

Loughrigg Tarn

2.0 mi

Landmark

Elter Water

2.0 mi

Restaurants

The Drunken Duck Inn

600 ft

Barngates

Drunken Duck

600 ft

Barngates

Explore Ambleside

Explore Barngates

Wray Castle

25 minutes' walk

A striking Victorian castle on the shores of Lake Windermere, offering scenic views and lovely grounds to explore.

Beatrix Potter Gallery

10 minutes' drive

Home to the original illustrations by Beatrix Potter, this gallery immerses visitors in her enchanting world of storytelling.

Tarn Hows

30 minutes' walk

A picturesque tarn set amidst woodlands, perfect for walks and enjoying the stunning Lake District landscape.

Ambleside Roman Fort

10 minutes' drive

A historical site showcasing Roman ruins, offering insights into ancient life in the Lake District.

Hiking at Loughrigg Fell

30 minutes' drive

A challenging hike with rewarding views of Windermere, suitable for thrill-seekers and nature lovers.

Yoga Classes at Ambleside

10 minutes' drive

Relaxing yoga sessions available in nearby studios, perfect for unwinding after your adventures.

The Drunken Duck Inn

5 minutes' walk

A cozy inn serving local cuisine with seasonal ingredients, including craft beers and fine wines.

Drunken Duck

5 minutes' walk

Delicious pub fare in a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for casual dining with friends or family.

Ambleside Cinema

10 minutes' drive

A charming independent cinema featuring a mix of films, including popular releases and indie favorites.

Jazz Nights at The Old Mill

10 minutes' drive

Weekly live jazz nights create a vibrant atmosphere, perfect for a night out with friends or a special date.

Getting around

City Centre
Ambleside 6 min · 2.4 mi
Airports
Carlisle Lake District (CAX) 120 min · 49.4 mi
Blackpool International (BLK) 166 min · 68.4 mi
Bus
Bus stop 6 min · 2.5 mi

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-22:00

Check-out

from 08:00-11:00

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Children & extra beds

There are no extra beds provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Number of rooms:

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about The Drunken Duck Inn from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

The Drunken Duck Inn is often praised for its scenic and peaceful location in the countryside, though the exterior's rear appearance has struck some as a bit worn. Guests frequently enjoy the spacious and prettily decorated rooms, along with the bar's great selection of wines and beers, creating a cosy Cumbrian pub atmosphere enhanced by a real fire. The breakfast stands out, featuring an original menu with delicious, locally sourced food and generous portions, especially the mushroom parfait which some found comparable to Michelin-starred cuisine.

Review score

Based on 3 verified reviews

8.8 /10

Great

100%

Recommend

Location

9.2/10

Staff

9.2/10

Value for money

7.7/10

Free Wi-Fi

8.3/10

Pros

Comfortable bed

Friendly staff

Clean room

Magnificent views

Cons

Expensive food

No coffee facilities

Geoffrey from United Kingdom

Couple

King Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 28, 2025

8.5/10

charming stay in the lakes

friendly staff idyllic location

I found the staff really friendly. The idyllic location offered peace. dinner was amazing and the bar was very comfortable. the bedroom was lovely too and it was great after a long day!

I found no tea or coffee in the room. It would be really appreciated! for the price, i would have expected more from this place.

Service

9/10

the staff displayed friendliness and were cute throughout my stay. they were attentive at dinner and in the bar. room service was prompt, addressing requests quickly.

Facilities

8/10

the bar featured a great selection of wines and beers, i noticed. my room had pretty decor and felt spacious. breakfast was delicious, setting a positive tone for my day.

0 Helpful

jordan from united kingdom

Couple

deluxe king room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 20, 2025

9.0/10

a wonderful dining experience!

original menu spacious environment friendly staff

the breakfast was amazing, i saw they had an original menu with an individual touch to the choices and some gorgeous tasting food. the atmosphere was so relaxing with table service and a clean, warm spacious environment. the bar has the cosy feel of a cumbrian pub, a real fire burned, staff were chatty and friendly.

Service

9/10

the pub is warm, cosy and the locals are all friendly, staff are lovely and there is some proper real ale brewed at the premises, great beer! it was a warm and friendly reception.

Dining

10/10

i enjoyed a wonderful sunday lunch with generous portions! the food quality was good and well cooked, and what's not to like? the chef uses locally sourced and foraged ingredients with consideration to being environmentally friendly.

Location

8/10

the place has a superb location out the way with views overlooking the countryside. it is set in a beautiful countryside location! the old world charm includes amazing views and outlook.

0 Helpful

Sebastian from Germany

Couple

King Room

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: October 19, 2025

9/10

scenic location peaceful ambience delicious food

the location was scenic and peaceful i appreciated that the staff recommended dishes it certainly did not disappoint the food was gorgeous there i enjoyed the beautiful countryside setting

the back of the building looked a bit worn when i arrived

0 Helpful

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