Despite driving through it loads I’ve never spent anytime there, got a couple days in a hotel so any good shouts pub, resteraunt and cafe wise?

Drive up the hill turn left and go to Ambleside 🙂

Sorry, Bowness and Windermere are naff lakes at its naffest (and most expensive). to be honest you’ll struggle to find a bad place if you stay away from the lake but its just there’s no mud, walking boots or bikes. It’s all speed boats or coach tours .

The last few times we’ve been out for food, we’ve gone to lazy Daisy’s in Windermere, really nice food, and not to expensive. A mate goes to brambles cafe also in Windermere, through the day, he likes it for the wifi, and cakes.
The lighthouse is nice, but a bit more expensive than the others.
If you like a punch up with your pint, the queens opposite the lighthouse is good! Otherwise the watermill is down the road in Ings, good selection of ales and food.
In Bowness I like the angel for food and drink, always a decent pint there.
Plenty of choice in Windermere, no need to go to Ambleside, and queue with all the people who are there buying a new jacket!

“Hole in wall” nice pub just up from the back of the church

In Windermere itself.
Pub – Elleray, excellent beer and decent bar meals.
Restaurant/bar – The Lamplighter.
A couple of decent, run of the mill, Chinese places as well.
Decent Indian on the main road.
Coffee – The Lighthouse (nice staff :-))

Oh aye forgot about lamplighter, not been there for ages.
Also +1 for the indian.

Hotel was already decided by the Mrs so in bowness/Windermere. Cheers for the pointers so far.