Bassenthwaite Lake Station — Restaurant in England

Husband and I had a wonderful time yesterday at the Station. We especially wanted to enjoy a treat on a vintage train, and when we came across the Lake Station website a couple of months ago we knew it was for us.

We enjoyed a supremely tasty afternoon tea which we booked to have in the Salon. We booked a while ago as a treat for my husband’s upcoming birthday. We paid the mandatory deposit in advance and settled the bill as we left.

When we arrived we were so happy to see we’d made a great choice because the area is really beautiful. There’s a lovely woodland feel surrounding the station and we ventured to have a look at the nearby pond and wildlife hide.

The train itself is wonderfully restored and as we walked through the carriages to reach the salon we could see how much care and effort has gone into making this place an absolute MUST VISIT as a destination in the Derwentwater area.

And yes we spied on the meals other diners were having as we walked through and they looked delicious!

We were brought to our table by the super friendly ladies and offered a selection of unlimited teas, coffee and juices which were all included in the price we paid. I had the loose leaf decaf tea which was lovely and strong. My husband ordered an iced mocha which he really enjoyed -so shoutout to the lovely young lass who made it (I think it was Ellie?)

When the afternoon tea was delivered to our table we were thrilled to see the quality and variety of the treats. We’ve had many, many teas over the years and I have to say this was my favourite one so far! (I do love Betty’s but this was better in my opinion).

We ate from the Summer menu and honestly thought the savouries were some of the best we’d had anywhere. The potato dauphine and cheese bites were so good!

Some of my favourite sweets included the scone which was lovely and buttery, the chocolate torte -rich and sumptuous, and I LOVED the tea bread which I spread with the deliciously creamy and salty local butter. Honestly the word I would use is DIVINE.

The salon looks just as good now as it did in the movie it starred in. I really appreciated the decor in the carriage with art deco touches and the early 1930s music playing in the background, it gave the whole experience an authentic feel.

We absolutely want to return as soon as we can. We very much want to experience this again...

Very bad experience. Staffs were arrogant, unwelcoming and rude. We took two family members visiting from India. I felt there behaviour was more or less unwelcoming for guests with different non British ethnicity. It was quite racist the whole attitude of staffs. We received a reply from them today. I must say it was completely wrong what they replied. We asked a middle aged lady staff around 4:30. The shop was going to be closed. She told us that we can have ice cream as take away. But requested if we can just take some photos. She did allowed us to go and take some photos. When we just walked back in 5-10 minuets and asked if we can biy ice cream as take away. A young girl said she is not sure but the same middle aged lady whom we spoke to 10 minutes ago, she just ignored us. A young lad standing there told us it will not be served. As we came out there was another lady may be a senior staff. She was talking to four elderly white people. She told us that there should not be any issue if we are taking a take away ice cream. But this young lad came and told her something. This lady very rudely told us “ bye” and basically virtually told us to go away. This is completely untrue that we wanted to sit in the train restaurant. We hadn’t booked it hence had no intention at all. We were all two families of Asian60-70 age group. Also two were visiting from India and retired as very senior officers in Indian army and other couple retired as very senior professionals in the NHS. I did feel it is an issue with the staff organisation and system. Sadly the reply from them is completely wrong as we had no intention to sit in tge restaurant without booking.specially when it nearer closing time. We were staying at the Pheasant very nearer to this restaurant. Their overall customer care was simply superb.we had a lovely stay there. It was not the issue if ice cream but the attitude of the whole set of staff.Rather than doing an introspection coming back with wrong reply. I can say that we will never like to visit this place ever again also suggest anyone like us if they want to go there be prepared for such...

If you're looking for a truly unique dining experience in the Lake District, Bassenthwaite Lake Station is a must-visit! Nestled in a station building, this charming restaurant offers the unforgettable opportunity to enjoy delicious meals aboard the Orient Express train. It’s a fantastic blend of history, comfort, top-notch cuisine, and relaxing atmosphere.

The menu is wonderfully varied, catering to all tastes and (most of) dietary preferences. Whether you're after a hearty breakfast, a relaxed brunch, or a satisfying lunch, there's something for everyone. During our visit, we tried a prawn sandwich, waffle fries, and a comforting bowl of soup—each dish was packed with flavour and beautifully presented.

In winter, don’t miss out on their festive menu, which is a treat for the senses. We had the vegan festive brunch bowl, paired with a mint chocolate tea—perfectly festive and incredibly delicious!

Their afternoon tea is also a highlight, and from what we saw, it's absolutely gorgeous—ideal for a relaxed afternoon out.

What really makes this place stand out, however, is the wonderful staff. They’re not only attentive when everything is going perfectly, but they handle any hiccups with competence and grace. We had a small misunderstanding with our order, which was resolved swiftly and professionally. Our server, Anne remained wonderful throughout the entire experience. She was kind and consistently approached everything with warmth and a nice attitude — truly a gem!

The venue is incredibly family and pet-friendly, with space for both children and dogs, and it’s fully accessible. Plus, the station building houses a lovely shop featuring local produce and products, perfect for picking up something special or a little souvenir.

Whether you're a local or just visiting, Bassenthwaite Lake Station offers a delightful experience that we can't...