Hotels in the Lake District offer so much these days. Not only to they offer so many services and facilities but they offer great deals on short breaks combined with sampling the local produce of the area in their restaurants.
What has been great to see in the last few years is the use of the magnificent local produce from Cumbria – the Lake District in the hotels in the county. Cumbria is known for a variety of produce but none more so than lamb. Herdwick and rough fell lamb has a very distinct taste and is extremely high quality. This lamb is now revered within the food industry with many top London restaurants requesting Herdwick and markets such as the famous Borough Market stocking it. Cumbrian rose veal is also being championed by top chefs and restaurants for its quality and it is great to see veal back in favour and on menus.

Cumbria and The Lake District are very lucky to have a diverse range of small and artisan producers from lamb, beef and sausages to chutney’s and real ales. Such produce can be found in abundance and the inhabitants and visitors to the area are very spoilt. There are even hotels that have their own Victorian kitchen garden and farms. Such gardens supply as much fresh fruit and vegetables as possible to their hotels and the farms supply as much meat. Not only do many of hotels use local produce but they are taking it one step further and supplying themselves. This is a great marketing tool for a hotel and there are guests now having short breaks in the Lake District as much for the food as the scenery. In the south lakes especially, there are a huge number of local producers and suppliers.

For green conscious travellers going on Lake District weekend breaks, eating local produce which reduces food miles is very appealing. Food miles can easily add up through transportation of UK foodstuffs throughout the UK. By eating locally sourced produce to the area in which you live or are visiting on holiday, cuts down food miles considerably. A consequence of the reduction in food miles means you are also supporting local suppliers and producers.

Many Lake District short breaks venues are situated near bus stops and other good transport links. On the larger lakes, such as Windermere, there is the choice of water transport in the form of ferry’s and launches to get from one end to another. Lake District accommodation venues also have a huge number of walks from right outside the door. If money is tight, then the Lake District is the perfect destination. What can be cheaper than walking one of spectacular fells and eating the fabulous produce from the landscape at the same time?

What represents Cumbria more than Cumberland sausage? Cumberland sausages have been produced for over 500 years. The Cumberland sausage has been put forward for the European Protected Designation of Origin credential which Stilton cheese and the Melton Mowbray pork pie have both received in recent years. Farming has advanced quite considerably in recent years with many farmers rearing rare breed sheep and pigs. The nature of the countryside and climate in this area produces a very different tasting meat to farms in the south and it is great to see rare breeds being reared.