The Boot & Shoe Inn — Restaurant in England

Parking is limited but not impossible. On entry, it was clear it was a very "local users pub" but wasn't unwelcoming. The bar and dining area were extremely small.maybe more stagg than seats, but I did think the theme was great for a bar, which somehow fits in bands to play live music. We had booked a dinner table well in advanced but this still wasn't ready. we stood around the bar and ordered drinks, and the table was ready in a short time. Bar lady was great with the dog and kids, so we knew we were going to be in good hands. The dining area as me turned us small, very small, and the service at that time was poor table given to us but no menu's or advise how the order process was handled and no table number for me to assume we were to order at the bar. After at least half hour we asked for menu's and fresh drinks now as these had gone, menu's was small and the menu was a dirty screwed up single sheet of A3 paper. Food ordered super fast as it is now around 830+pm. and the food maybe 20 mins ish later we ate and was promptly left. Bill for young family 2 adults and 2 kids main courses only 65 quid plus drinks. Cider was something close to £7 this was a bottled, not draft, but even kids' soft drinks soon added up. Sorry to advise that it was ok, not amazing, and it does have the potential to be great as they're not ever going to be stretched for food orders with seating for a maximum of 20 people. I do wish the proprietor and all its regulars all the very best. Just our first impression could have been so much better and was at other places nearby. Special thanks to the lady on the bar...

We had high hopes for our recent meal, especially after reading such positive reviews, but unfortunately, our experience was far from ideal. Even though we'd pre-booked a table, it seemed our reservation was overlooked when we arrived. Once seated, we found ourselves a bit lost on how to order, and when I inquired, the staff member's blunt response ("at the bar") wasn't very welcoming.

We'd already noted the menu was limited, but discovered it was even more so once we tried to order. Our initial choices of two pates and a club sandwich were met with news that the club sandwich was unavailable, and there was only enough pate for two servings. This was apparently due to a lack of food preparation, which was perplexing given they'd been open for two hours already. Our third companion settled for a small portion of sausage, mash, and peas.

The food itself was a significant letdown. The pate, served on large white plates, was a minuscule, tasteless amount accompanied by a tiny smear of chutney and five incredibly thin, fragile slices of ciabatta that crumbled at the slightest touch. I truly wish I'd taken a photo to illustrate how disappointing it looked. The sausage and mash arrived looking like it had been reheated in a microwave, and the sausage had an unpleasant, fatty taste.

As the pub became quite loud with a large group behind us, we simply wanted to pay and leave. It was a stark contrast to the glowing food reviews, and for £32 it felt like money wasted. While I'm always keen to support local businesses, this visit was a...

We were on our holiday at the Lakes near Ullswater and had booked Sunday lunch at the Boot and Shoe Inn.

So glad we did, from the first contact the staff were so friendly and welcoming. The pub is small but has a intimate feel, and dog friendly.

We sent out compliments to the chef as the roast beef dinner was definitely the best we had ever had anywhere else!

As it was such a lovely atmosphere we hung around chatting to the bar staff for a couple of hours (whilst sipping a cool drink of course!), until the band arrived.

Again, such friendly guys, playing a bit of everything including blues. Even our 20 year old son who normally appreciates something a bit 'heavier' really enjoyed the afternoon.

For us this just finished what had been a lovely relaxing holiday in the Lakes, thanks guys!

Would very much recommend you put this on your list of places to visit and interestingly you will also hear information about the nearby Greystoke Castle once home to Tarzan, son of Lord and Lady Greystoke who was born in the African jungle in 1888. Edgar Rice Burroughs went on to write the book Tarzan of the Apes, a story...