Grange Bridge Cottage Tea Shop

Having visited Grange River Cafe, I am at a loss to reconcile the poor reviews which I have read. I have visited this beautiful cafe on several occasions over a number of years both with my family/ children and as a solo walker, at the end of many a walk in the Borrowdale area, I have always looked forward to ending my walk sitting having tea and scones on a fine day or one of the excellent homemade soups on a wet one. I have spent many a good conversation with both the Lady and Gentleman owners who have always been not only courteous, but engaged in good conversation.

On holiday in the North/Western Lakes we visited this area, but we know we didn’t even ‘scratched the surface’. There is so much to see, exploring all the lanes, villages, tarns, rivers, streams, waterfalls, hills and moutains etc. What we saw was very beautiful and probably worthy of a longer visit on another occasion. Borrowdale lies close to the western side of Derwentwater: it is owned by the National Trust and covers approximately 46 square miles. We saw some of this area during walks and trips in the car but we suspect some views can only be enjoyed by trekking across the fells and neither of us at our ages are fit enough to do that. One of the areas we stopped and looked around was Grange, it was just so impossibly beautiful by the twin bridges over the Derwent. Sadly we arrived here after the café had closed for the day. We will be back, we don’t know when, but we must.

Genuinely don't recognise the other reviews. We were shattered after an exhausting hike and were warmly welcomed. We sat in the beautiful garden over looking the river, were served happily and politely by the owner who made polite conversation and the cake, coffee and especially apple pie were excellent, I mean like really good. It was such welcome relief. Thank you

The restaurant is situated in a picturesque location next to the river Derwent and Grange Bridge, with a lovely garden. Unfortunately, the owner and waiter were not very friendly. When my wife asked for a cappuccino, she was abruptly told that they do not serve them and that everything available is listed on the menu. The ham sandwich we ordered was average, and the tea and coffee were okay. After cycling there from Keswick, we politely requested for our water bottles to be refilled, but the owner refused to pass them between us. Instead, he directed us to an outside tap with a 20m garden hose connected to it.

The food at this restaurant was okay, but when a couple sitting near us asked if they served alcohol, they were told, "We're not a pub, we're a tea room. The drinks list is in the menu." The couple left, and I would have too if we hadn't already been served. It seemed like the server may not have the right attitude for the job. A simple "no, sorry we don't" would have been sufficient.