Eat and Drink at the Hostel
Hearty, healthy, home cooked meals
At Elterwater Hostel, good food and friendly company are all part of the experience. Whether you’re setting off for a big day in the fells or winding down after a long walk, our kitchen serves hearty, home-cooked meals that make you feel right at home.
Breakfast, Fresh and Local
Wake up to the smell of fresh coffee and sizzling breakfast at the hostel. Served daily between 7:30 and 9:30am, there’s no need to plan ahead, just come along when you’re ready and order from our menu. From a simple bacon sandwich to a Full Cumbrian Breakfast, everything is cooked fresh and made with the best local ingredients to set you up perfectly for the day ahead.
Packed Lunches for the Trail
If you’re heading out exploring, we can pack you a delicious lunch to go — sandwiches, fruit, and a few tasty snacks to keep you fuelled for the journey.
Evening Meals, Relax and Refuel
After a day in the great outdoors, join us for a relaxed, homely supper served between 6pm and 8pm. Our menu changes regularly, but you’ll always find something comforting and satisfying from Cumberland sausage with mash, veg, and onion gravy, to homemade pizzas, sharing meat boards, or lighter favourites like Quiche or Soup of the Day.
Everything is freshly cooked in-house using locally sourced ingredients, and we’re happy to cater for all dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Save Room for Dessert
Of course, no visit would be complete without a helping of our infamous Sticky Toffee Pudding, warm, rich, and utterly delicious. Or, if you prefer something lighter, fresh fruit salad or Lakes Ice Cream.
Celebrations and Group Meals
Whether it’s a family gathering, a birthday meal, or a special occasion with friends, we love bringing people together around good food. From Christmas dinners to Burns Night suppers, we’re always happy to cook up something memorable for your group, and would be delighted to talk through options with you. .
Something to Drink
Good food deserves a good drink, and we’ve got plenty to choose from.
We’re proud to stock a selection of local beers, celebrating the best of Cumbrian brewing. You’ll often find favourites from Coniston Brewing Company, Lakes Brew Co., and other nearby brewers perfect for relaxing after a day on the fells. Whether you prefer a crisp pale ale, a smooth bitter, or something a little darker, there’s always something worth trying.
If wine’s more your style, we have a carefully chosen range of reds, whites, and rosés to suit every meal and mood, along with a few sparkling options for those special occasions.
We also serve soft drinks, juices, teas, and freshly brewed coffee, so whatever you fancy from a morning cuppa to a post-dinner pint you can always find the right drink to go with your meal.
New breakfast menu now being served! 🍳☕️
Join us daily from 7:30–9:30am for everything from a hearty Cumbrian breakfast or veggie Fell Walker, to pancakes, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches.
Pair it with our fresh bean-to-cup coffee for the perfect start to your day.
Non-residents welcome – pop in and enjoy!
We’re delighted to share that we’ve been awarded a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-star Food Hygiene Rating! A huge thank you to our fantastic team for their hard work and commitment to maintaining the highest standards.
We’re also excited to introduce our refreshed dining experience, with new menus and a more relaxed, café-style approach. You can now enjoy:
🥐 Breakfast served between 7:30am – 9:30am
🍽️ Evening meals available from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
It’s all about great food in a more casual, welcoming setting.
Keep an eye out for more posts coming soon as we showcase our new menus… we can’t wait for you to try them!
A fantastic effort from Jen and Rich, completing this year’s first Elterwater Hostel 23 Before Tea round in 8 hours 35 minutes.
The day was also a recce for Jen’s planned attempt to break the female record later this year — so watch this space.
Best of all, they were welcomed back to the hostel with tea and sticky toffee brownie, which sounds like just about the perfect finish.
Well done both!
#ElterwaterHostel #23BeforeTea
Bring your group together around the breakfast table!
There’s something special about starting the day with good friends, good food, fresh coffee, and time to connect before the day’s adventures begin.
When you stay with us as a group, you can add our buffet breakfast served in a relaxed space to gather and plan the day ahead, perfect for walking groups, school trips, retreats, corporate teams, or friends exploring the Lakes together. Fuel up, slow down, and start the day right together.
Get in touch to add group breakfast to your booking!
Part 3: The Reveal
And here it is…..
Our new reception, bar servery and refreshed lounge/dining space are complete and we couldn’t be happier with the result.
Lighter, warmer colours, a more open layout and a calmer, more relaxed atmosphere from the moment you walk through the door.
It’s now a space to check in, grab a drink, sit back, and feel at home.
We’d love to know what you think and even better, come and see it for yourself.
Post 2: The Build, From idea to reality
With the old reception removed, work began on creating a new modern, multi-functional space – bringing together reception, bar servery and a more open connection to the lounge and dining area.
Behind the scenes there’s been a lot of careful planning, building (and a fair bit of dust!) as the new counter took shape. Every decision was about making the space more practical for our team and more welcoming for our guests.
Nearly there…
Refurb Part 1 - The Strip Out!
Big changes start with brave decisions… and this was one of them.
We’ve said goodbye to our original reception cubicle to make way for something much more open, flexible and welcoming.
It’s served us well over the years, but it was time to rethink how this space works for our guests today.
This was the first step in transforming our reception and lounge into a place that feels warmer, more relaxed and better suited to how people really use the space.
Watch this space 👀
We are very pleased to be ranked 1st in TripAdvisor top 5 Hostels in the Lake District.
With an average 4.9 out of 5, based on around 375 reviews,
Small, friendly and tucked away in one of the prettiest valleys in the Lakes, it draws rave reviews for its “relaxed”, “homely” feel and “big breakfasts”.
In November, one reviewer gave the hostel a five-star rating on TripAdvisor. “Excellent venue for outdoor activities,” they said.
“The hostel is clean, well-equipped, comfortable, warm, and all the staff are welcoming and most helpful.”
Read the whole article here:
https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/25809020.best-hostels-lake-district-ranked-tripadvisor/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1769961366
Think hostel food = sausage & mash? Think again…
Our GM may say he’s a great chef…
…but after this 40th birthday feast, we’re inclined to agree 👀🔥
🥩 Tomahawk steak
🍖 Lamb rumps
🥔 Dauphinoise potatoes
✨ Very happy guests
Got a group staying with us? Fancy something a bit special?
We love an excuse to get creative in the kitchen
Happy Birthday Alfred Wainwright
A man who shaped how we see and walk the Lake District, with a legacy deeply rooted in the Langdale Valley.
His love for the fells lives on in every path explored and every quiet moment enjoyed.
At Elterwater Hostel, we’re proud to be part of the landscape he inspired so many to cherish.
Cold, snowy days here in the valley but that hasn’t stopped us cracking on with a big project behind the scenes.
Lots of hard work happening despite the weather and it’ll all be worth it.
Keep an eye out for updates coming soon…
A new completion of the Elterwater Hostel Challenge 23 before tea was logged just before the end of the year.
Carlisle-based Adam Armata returned after being beaten by the weather last winter , this time though everything clicked.
Running solo and unsupported, he chose a longer, less conventional 60km route with 4,500m of ascent, echoing the original spirit of the challenge.
he said “his wasn’t about records., it was about adventure: sunrise on the first summit, icy descents, winter light, and even a head torch detour into Rydal Cave because why rush a perfect day in the hills? 11 hours 58 minutes. No shortcuts. Just mountains, patience, and joy”.
If you’ve ever thought about giving a winter round a go, take this as your sign. choose your day, respect the conditions, move at your own pace and savour every moment out there, and dont forget to knock on the hostels door and get your cup of tea when you finish!
