Queens Head Inn & Restaurant
Queens Head Inn & Restaurant descritpion
Situated in the rolling hills surrounding Esthwaite Water, the village of Hawkshead is home to The Queen’s Head Inn. This 17th Century inn has been awarded an AA 4-star rating for its varied menu, serving the finest local ingredients in a traditional country pub setting.
Each bedroom has a modern tiled bathroom and a contemporary design, some feature original beamed ceilings and a four-poster bed. The hotel features free Wi-Fi and each bedroom has an LCD TV.
The Queen’s Head serves lunches and dinners ranging from fresh steamed mussels to Cumbrian rib-eye steak. An extensive wine list and local ales are available at the bar, as well as a selection of malt whiskies.
The village of Hawkshead is within a 10-minute drive of both Coniston Water and Windermere, and within 15 minutes by car, hikers can be at the feet of the renowned central Lakeland fells.
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The staff speaks English——Queens Head Inn & Restaurant's staff speaks:Romanian,Polish,Latvian,Spanish,English
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Facilities of Queens Head Inn & Restaurant
Pets ：Pets are not allowed.
Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is not needed).
Services ：Fax/Photocopying
General ：Newspapers | Non-smoking Rooms | Family Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
Languages Spoken ：Romanian | Polish | Latvian | Spanish | English
Reviews for Queens Head Inn & Restaurant
Review 1：First room we were allocated did not smell good - bathroom was clean but had a smell of urine. Food was ok at night but portion of steak was very small for £25.
Review 2：Man at reception desk very helpful and moved us to another room due to first one not being great. Staff were all very helpful and pleasant during our stay.
Review 3：The food was excellent, the pub was the nicest in the village with so much atmosphere, and every single member of staff was lovely. They left us a packed breakfast outside the door as we had to leave early, there was Prosecco available with brekkie for Bucks Fizz and we even found notebooks in the secret cupboards!
Review 4：Our room was perfect., we really enjoyed our 1 night and hope to return after Christmas. All your staff were very helpfuland pleasant.hope there are no floods next time.
Review 5：Nothing
Review 6：We have stayed at this hotel in the past and will be staying again in the future, everything about the place, staff, and cleanliness is perfect and the food is to die for.
Review 7：Lovely setting, great atmosphere,helpful and friendly staff which obviously reflects a good management team. The food was cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. The bedrooms are of a very high standard and had everything you could possibly need......fab shower!! Parking not a problem, park on village car park short walk away and the hotel pay the cost.
Review 8：The staff were fantastic, polite, helpful & entertaining. The room was newly renovated with a great bathroom, spotlessly clean. Food was good in the pub.
Review 9：Lovely room with great decor. The staff were so polite and helpful we couldn't fault it. The haddock for breakfast was fabulous! Would definitely stay again. X
Review 10：Having to remember to book for dinner The staff managed to accomodate us even though even when we had not booked
Review 11：Excellent position @ amenable staff Also food very good
Review 12：Ltd vegetarian options at breakfast, ordered breakfast without bacon but came with bacon
Review 13：Nice rooom with excellent selction of tea and coffe, hot choclate etc. The pub was also good
Review 14：Absolutely nothing bad about the Queens Head althouth the batroom could do with a brighter light.
Review 15：Every thing about the Queens Head is a joy. The Staff, the restaurant, the rooms and especially the shower which unlike a majority wortked at a toch. FREE PARKING, come and go in the village carpark, would never stay where I had to pay for car parking.
Review 16：The staff, especially Nich (correct spelling) are very helpful, friendly and obliging. We had a large room with a beautiful modern bathroom with a view towards the distant hills. There are several restaurants to choose from in Hawkshead but we found the food at the Queen's Head particularly good.
Review 17：We were welcomed on arrival and the staff could not have been more friendly and helpful. Our room was perfect, period features, tastefully decorated with smart modern bathroom. Fantastic food with helpful special offers. The location is perfect for a short stay. All in all a brilliant experience.
Review 18：Poor lighting (diff to shave) in bathrm, hot water took 10 mins to come (finishing a cold shower before it finally did), loo seat loose, cheap flat pillows (got stiff neck), instant decaf coffee for breakfast, fruit at breakfast just a bowl (unpeeled fruit), bacon and egg was one rasher and one egg only, one flavour of yoghurt, small room with poor decor, could not read by bedside lights, very poor value indeed for £130. Worth £70-75. Picture of rooms on web misleading.
Review 19：Central location in a pretty village. Free parking
Review 20：We stayed in the cottage adjacent to the pub and our room was lovely, we particularly liked the fact that the children had a separate room to us. We thought that the price that we paid was very reasonable for B&B for a family of 4 in the Lake District.
Review 21：Could have been a wider variety at breakfast such as more fresh fruit and more low fat choices / flavours of yoghurt. Service at breakfast was good and staff were attentive.
Review 22：The rooms were amazing; lovely and comfortable with good facilities. Staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Dinner was really good with a great variety; food well presented and the pizza was especially gorgeous.
Review 23：The free wifi was not available in my room. I could only check emails etc at breakfast.
Review 24：The locality and the standard of decor in the room and bathroom. Everything was spotless. Staff were very nice and helpful.
Review 25：Too hot in bed at night and no alternative for the high tog quilt - small dislike, I can assure you, and not one that will keep us away in the future!
Review 26：Staff, food, room, cleanliness, well basically everything was fantastic. Thank you to all at the Queens for a very special and enjoyable stay with you :) x
Review 27：Some fixtures in the en-suite needed attention. Leaking plug in sink, loose toilet seat, damaged toilet roll holder. Would have liked an 0800 start for breakfast Would like to see outside of hotel decorated. It didn't look inviting.
Review 28：Staff were excellent. Excellent value for money for evening meal and breakfast
Review 29：The mattress had a bit of a dip in the middle and the overflow on the toilet was dripping all the time.
Review 30：Food excellent, good location in the heart of the village. Staff excellent at all times, when I got home and realised I had left my jacket, I rang and they offered to post it back to me! Very good service.
Review 31：Would have been nice nice to have a residents lounge to sit in in the evening as the pub/restaurant was so popular and busy in the earlier half of the evening, but a minor point.
Review 32：Everything! Brilliant staff, friendly, food (breakfasts were exceptional!), beautifully decorated and incredible shower - great after a days hard walking. Will DEFINITELY stay again!
Review 33：Limited TV channels, but we didn't go yo watch TV.
Review 34：The food was excellent being both delicious and plentiful.The staff were extremely pleasant and helpful with nothing being too much trouble.
Review 35：If you liked complete silence then this is not the place to stay but we did not mind the low level noise. We should have also booked our evening meals as it was very busy and we were very lucky to get a place at the last minute.
Review 36：The location, quality of room and food and friendly staff.
Review 37：It is quite pricey but its what i would expect for lake district
Review 38：the breakfast was absolutely amazing. I highly recommend the salmon. The hotel is in a really good location inthe heart of a small village and only a 10/15 min drive to lake Windermere. They have rooms above the pub and and a separate building nearby with a few rooms. Luckily the family room is away from the puc which is ideal for families with young children.
Review 39：Our room was missing a remote for the TV and although we informed reception, it never appeared.
Review 40：The character and location of the property was excellent, the food was superb!
Review 41：Room had plenty of hanging space but no drawers. Not a problem for a couple of nights but could be if staying longer
Review 42：Lovely old inn, lots of atmosphere. Fantastic staff, amazing breakfast with Bucks Fizz and Bloody Marys! Comfortable room with powerful shower
Review 43：The only down was on our second night we were told we could dine at 8.15, our table had our name on a badge on it saying that. The room was full at 7.15 we could`nt get served with drinks so we went across to the adjacent pub. We returned at 8.10 and the staff were seating 4 people at the table, when we asked the duty manager what was happening she said our table would be 10 mins max !!!!! Why ? That spoiled our evening as one of our party is elderly and could not stand....there were no seats...she did say she would go back to the room and do without dinner...she did`nt in the end, the wait was 10mins. It`s our third time there don`t know if any of us will return.
Review 44：The room was very good, looked as if it had a recent refurb. The food was tasty and reasonably priced, breakfast a good choice and quality produce.
Review 45：Bar staff quite grumpy. Stood and watched as I struggled into main bar area with my case, as I could not hold the door open, and husband parked the car.
Review 46：Food was excellent and lovely rooms. Excellent location. Very helpful reception staff and great waiters.
Review 47：Food service only OK, Asked for variation to Full breakfast, which was accepted but not delivered. Could not help but compare with other places and breakfast not comparable, quality great choice not so.
Review 48：Staff friendly and welcoming. Service discreet and luxuries like towels great.Perfect location for exploring this part of Lakes.
Review 49：Whats not to like?
Review 50：he room was beautifully decorated and immaculately clean, the staff were friendly and polite the breakfast was excellent we would stay here again tomorrow.
Review 51：Compared to the room we had on a previous visit there were no drawers, so had to leave a lot of clothing items in a suitcase which had to stay on the floor as there wasn't a stand to put case on.
Review 52：Excellent location and very nice food. Good atmosphere very helpful and friendly staff.
Review 53：Shower pressure not great
Review 54：Excellent pub come hotel in Hawkshead village. Modern rooms, lovely evening meal, good breakfast. Lots of great pubs in close proximity too.
Review 55：Room was very cosy with all the amenities you would need for a weekend away. Especially liked the breakfast (biggest sausage I have seen!!) and the selection of tea/drinks and cakes in the room.
Review 56：Location was difficult to get to but charming, parking quite a distance away and trying to get car unloaded was awkward.
Review 57：Except for one waitress (who almost ruined the whole visit) the staff waa very helpful and friendly. Food was very good served in a lovely English pub. Room was comfortable and bathroom very new and up to date except for having hot & cold faucets instead of mixing them. Also without a fan I think the room might get uncomfortably warm in the summer.
Review 58：The bar staff took a full drink by mistake at last orders that we'd Intended taking back to our room, refusing to replace It even though we were residents and offered to pay for another. We spoke to the bar manager who misquoted the licencing law to us. It was my daughters wedding and had paid for many rooms over the weekend. Disappointing attitude.
Review 59：Location
Review 60：The shower was very half-hearted. No real power and quite frustrating to use. The bar was very expensive (although all pubs in the Lake District know how to charge). I live just north of London and it's quite a bit cheaper in my local pub!
Review 61：Great location, delicious breakfast, really comfortable bed, very clean bedroom and bathroom
Review 62：Wifi was intermittent Phone in bedroom would be useful
Review 63：Front of house Nish was excellent and very helpful. All staff friendly and made our stay very enjoyable
Review 64：The fact we didn't have a bath when we thought we were getting one! The room was very hot and we didn't sleep well. Would choose rooms away from main landing or out building
Review 65：Live music food and drink location and decor
Review 66：Great walks from location, staff gave map of walk to the lake. Staff very pleasant & extremely helpful. Our premier room absolutely spot on. also another 3 pubs in the village, a bonus! Excellent breakfast & Evening meal Would come again
Review 67：My wife would have liked a mirror nearer to the natural light for putting on her makeup.
Review 68：Friendly staff, friendly atmosphere, food, comfort of the bed and the cleanliness, especially the bed rooms, a very pleasurable stay at a very nice hotel, will be back.
Review 69：The accommodation, staff, food and pub itself are lovely teamed up with the location makes it the perfect place to unwind. Second time we've stayed in the Queens head and we'll go back soon!!
Review 70：I really enjoyed my stay here. The hotel is in a central position in Hawkshead and has a lot of character. The room was comfortable and the food was excellent. Do be sure to book the restaurant as it is very popular. Breakfast was also great with a good choice. The staff were always helpful and made our stay very enjoyable. I would recommend this hotel and would stay here again.
Review 71：Only one armchair in room.no water. No lounge or comfy seating in bar area for drinks. All tables taken up for dining. Breakfast ok. Various other small niggles. Staff need to smile more and do not always understand.
Review 72：Room/bathroom well presented
Review 73：The sun was shining so the seating out front was in demand and had to wait for a table but can't complain!
Review 74：Great little find, everything that we wanted. Very welcoming staff, lovely period pub with comfy and compact accommodation and the food was outstanding! The Cumbrian breakfast was excellen, as was the smoked haddock and duck egg. Perfect location too, we walked to Windermere in less than 2 hours and caught the ferry to Bowness for 50p. Great trip, highly recommended.
Review 75：The entrance of the hotel is through the bar! We didn't like that atmosphere specially that it was a weekend crowd.
Review 76：It was interesting to stay in an old building which was built several centuries ago, and the old style of this small village was nice as well. Moreover, staff was cooperative.
Review 77：Breakfast serviced very slow, waiting for tea, coffee and toast. Had to ask every day for a coffee refill.
Review 78：Room good and really clean, restaurant food good, but very busy with tables turned over several times. Staff really friendly and helpful.
Review 79：This pub is a really old fashioned gem. Low ceilings and exposed beams, roaring fire place and food that is not just pub food but would have place in a restaurant. All in all a great place to stay and dine.
Review 80：The limited menu, The chicken dish that reminded me of Kentucky fried chicken. No chicken breast included.
Review 81：Loved the decor and the music played at breakfast
Review 82：We were situated above the kitchen in room 8 and could hear everything below. I appreciate that this is a working pub and that there will be unavoidable noise but this should be reflected in the price for this room.
Review 83：The staff were all very helpful and very obliging.
Review 84：Evening meal was not good. lamb was tender but had a look of being steamed or boiled. Quail eggs not provided as per menu. Dish lacked holistic delivery expected from description on menu.
Review 85：Historic and quaint pub, hotel and restaurant.
Review 86：Too many dogs in the restaurant on the Saturday night.
Review 87：A very comfortable and practical room. Free parking in the town car park, the village is essentially traffic free.
Review 88：Sadly the steak special was poorr and fatty .Disappointing as the starter was marvellous..Should have stuck to the main menu which I am sure would have been great.
Review 89：Staff were superb.Really helpful
Review 90：The room we stayed in was a 'little dusty' maybe just a little more attention needed with the cleaning. Also my wife wanted a Tia Maria after her evening meal but was told they don't sell it !!?
Review 91：Have been to the QueensHead previously for a meal but this was the first time we've stayed at the hotel, the food is excellent, staff friendly and helpful.
Review 92：Nothing, apart from the fact we only stayed for 2 nights!
Review 93：Great food, fantastic old pub with modern twist on decor within the rooms. Even though we had the only young children in the hotel that weekend - the staff and visitors we're very understanding and kind. It was a lovely weekend and will definitely be back.
Review 94：Loved the atmosphere of this old pub. My husband is from Australia and loves the old English pubs with the quality food and the real ales. Great cosy atmosphere. Would recommend this place to anyone who asks. Loved it.
Review 95：I loved the room in a separate building from the main inn , quiet and cosy with lovely décor all the staff were friendly and helpful the food was brilliant .
Review 96：Warm friendly staff especially Nish who made us feel welcome and happy. Room was lovely with modern touch and great bed. Food was excellent from breakfast through to dinner and my vegan wife loved it : that says a lot.
Review 97：This is not a dislike but hopefully a positive suggestion. my wife would have liked a spotlight above the bathroom mirror to apply make-up in the evening, as the lighting was subdued.
Review 98：excellent location, good food, friendly staff. the room was nicely decorated, clean warm and comfortable.
Review 99：Great location within the village. Lovely,friendly staff, great food and atmosphere, beautiful well appointed spotless room. Thoroughly enjoyable stay! A step back in time from the outside with a modern up to the minute bedroom and bathroom!
Review 100：We were going to eat in the bar by the fire however it was allowed to virtually go out and then hastely remade using too much paper which resulted in a badly smoking fire. I mentioned this and we were offered a table in the dining room. Our bedroom was nicely done but had no drawers so we had to leave things in our cases except for hanging garments. If I had been staying for a few days I would have found this unexeptable. Breakfast was good coffee awful it came lukewarm and very strong we asked for hot coffee and was told the only to have it hot was to microwave it which they did, but again not what we expected we had moved from a small guest house and were given a piping hot pot of coffee with breakfast each morning. Just a bit more attention to detail would make all the difference.
Review 101：The pub has a cosy atmosphere. Good location. Our meal at night was lovely (the lamb.) My cheesboard was overpriced it was over £8.00! The spanish waitress was very nice and helpful.
Review 102：Water pressure was a little low in the shower if you like a real blast of hot water and the non cooked breakfast choices were not as good as the cooked options. It was a bit noisy in the morning with deliveries and the staff setting up in the kitchen.
Review 103：Lovely modern room designs and shower room. Friendly staff and lovely restaurant that had a good (although not vast) range of food. WiFi and other gadgets worked great with a decent iPod dock as well as a TV in the rooms. Excellent choice of cooked breakfast. Great location close to Ambleside. We would return again.
Review 104：Cant get the car near the Queens Head so a short walk of a few minutes from the car park.
Review 105：Hawkeshead is like going back in time , it is a village untouched by modern trapping. The people are lovely & friendly . The Queens head was so welcoming & comfortable , we spent Halloween here so there was live music & a very good atmosphere.
Review 106：The room was cosy and wonderfully comfortable with lots of character. We ate in the restaurant, and really enjoyed our food - the portions were very generous.
Review 107：One member of staff was very rude to my husband when our table we booked four days in advance wasn't vacated by other customers. No apology, just a shout in his face that they were busy! We ended up getting a seat in the bar, on a window seat under a loud fan. It kind of ruined our one night stay.
Review 108：The room was amazing, four poster bed, large bath, TV mounted on wall and lovely decor. It made for a very comfortable stay.
Review 109：The room we stayed in was above the bar and kitchen and was noisy until very late on the Friday night. Weren't there on Saturday night but I imagine this was similar. Sunday night much quieter. Other rooms may have been much quieter. One particular member of staff was rather rude when we asked about Sunday lunch menu. All others were a pleasure to deal with though.
Review 110：Excellent breakfast choice and quality. Staying three days, sampled salmon and eggs and the cooked breakfast which were both excellent. Comfortable and well presented rooms with plenty of space. Kept very clean everywhere. Located central Hawkeshead with parking nearby covered in cost of hotel.
Review 111：Strong smell of food from the kitchens on the first set of bedroom corridors .
Review 112：The character of the inn, the quality of the food was very good and the flexibility of access.
Review 113：Hawkshead is a tiny but idyllic little town and the Queens Head, from the outside, didn't portray how lovely the rooms actually are. But best of all was the staff. Friendly, welcoming, polite and just a pleasure to be around.
Review 114：Along with the accomodation, restaurant etc, the village was beautiful. We were given maps for walks which we enjoyed doing. Also, close to Lake Windemere for the boat trips we took.
Review 115：There was no in room safe in my room (I expect this in a 4 star). If I was being picky I could say there was a lack of cold/continental fare at breakfast (no croissants, rolls and meats/cheeses) but I didn’t really miss this miss this.
Review 116：Usually staying in a building that is hundreds of years old comes with some compromises such as small and drafty rooms or out of the way location but not so at the Queens Head. My standard twin room was a good size, with comfortable modern beds, a pleasant mix of simple clean decoration, old painted furniture (see picture) and pictures. It was equipped with a flat screen TV, tea and coffee facilities and plenty of cupboard and drawer space. The modern bathroom was quite small but was still equipped with a good sized shower cubicle and separate bath. Food in the inn is exceptional, this is not pub grub but high quality dining at a reasonable price. All ingredients are fresh and locally sourced and it shows. Breakfast is waiter service with a good selection of hot fare and fruits for the main course with self-service for cereals, juices and jams.
Review 117：had to ask for toilet roll house keeping forgot to refresh
Review 118：oldest pub in hawkshead,good welcome we had room in annexe nice decor and modern ensuite very charming.food booking for evening meal required for busy periods bistro pub style food
Review 119：The evening dinner would have benefitted with the addition of vegetables, the portions seemed meagre, the pork crackling was also soft! Travesty
Review 120：Nice range of well kept beers
Review 121：Ideally there should be a ground floor toilet in the bar/restaurant but can understand space is limited.
Review 122：In the annex - modern tastefully designed and comfortable room successfully retaining elements of the original character. Excellent breakfast. Staff all very pleasant. Excellent location in the heart of the village.
Review 123：our room was above the kitchen which was a little noisy in the evening but only until nine thirty
Review 124：rooms are well designed to a high standard and very clean. Food is excellent, staff are very helpful. good choice of real ales.
Review 125：It was all good hard to fault. Missing a lift but due to Heritage and having just one floor to reach room was acceptable.
Review 126：Loved the location, room decor and history of the building. Convenient parking and helpful staff.
Review 127：Drinks were expensive in the bar, £4.50 for a pint of lager seems excessive but other than that there was nothing to complain about.
Review 128：Staff were very polite and professional. Food was excellent particularly the fish and chips!
Review 129：The hotel is located in the beautiful village of hawkshead. We were allocated a room across the way from the main hotel. The room was beautifully furnished to a high standard with an excellent bathroom. The restaurant food was superb with plenty of choice. Breakfast was hearty and wholesome. All the staff were attentive and friendly. All in all a great place to stay for visiting the beautiful lakes a lovely place to come back too after a busy day.
The Fine Print
Please not that not all rooms can accommodate an extra bed due to room size and layout.