The café in the courtyard

Scones for sale at a National Trust café

Our café at Claife is a hidden gem on the west shore of Windermere. The cottage in the courtyard has been an office, a home and a Victorian tea garden. But it is now open as a cosy rest stop before you walk up to Claife Viewing Station or set out on the longer stretch along the west shore.

Local goodies

Run in partnership with local foodie lovers; Lakes Catering Co, we are really excited about the freshly baked cakes and local produce you can pick up here.

What’s on the menu?

Everything is freshly made for our café. The highlight of the café menu has got to be the Ferryman’s lunch. This is a bit like a Ploughman’s but with seafaring legs. It includes a fresh pork pie, or vegetarian quiche, hunk of local cheese, chutney, tomato, crisps, bread roll & butter.

Wash this down with a cup of freshly ground coffee and finish off with a slice of tiffin or a scone with jam and clotted cream – how could you resist? We like to think we owe it to those Victorians who took tea here hundreds of years ago.

Nearest loo

We’re sorry there aren’t any public loos in the cafe. The National Trust saved the toilets at the ferry landing so we’re asking visitors to use those. The facilities are just a four minute walk away, but make sure you give yourself enough time to get there, especially with young children.