I come to the lakes twice a year and love nothing better than the steak pies. This one tasted fine but it has the lakes record for the smallest. About 2 inches square. The one from the Fox & Hounds at Ennerdale is 3 x the size. Had to go home and have something else to eat.
James O'Connell
Great pub to stop for food and a
Peter Robinson
5 star as this is the only place in the bale and if this place wasn’t going what would there be? So fair play to those doing the shift and keeping this alive. Thanks. Shop near b, great walks round the back not just up Scafell. Campsite nearby too. Camp near the wall for wind protection.
Martyn J
For many decades now we have always strolled off the hill then going into Ritsons to enjoy a hearty meal that has kept us coming back time and time again. Perfect end to a great day on the mountains. Although I will not get into the cost which for nearly £19 for a Lasagne with a bit of salad. My wife thinks the chips were over £6 for a small bowl. I must comment that the quality of said food was the worst meal I have ever had in Ritsons. Dry tasteless Lasagne with concrete garlic bread. Albeit Wasdale ale was as always very pleasant. Sorry Team Ritson, today's experience was awful, terrible food, overpriced and service well below par. Please note we normally don't leave reviews, but today we felt we must. We will be looking for an alternative going forward, such a shame that such an establishment has deteriorated so much. Really disappointing.
Seb Patient
Lovely bar. The cozy fire and comfy seats are a godsend after a long walk. Black pudding scotch egg was nice, burger was good. Chicken Katsu also looked good. Very nice after a long walk. Lovely
Geoffrey B
I have enjoyed many a pleasant evening in Ritson's Bar in the past few years, but I’m sorry to say that from now on I will be spending a lot less time there on my annual trips to Wasdale Head, because the food has become far too expensive. This is pub food at restaurant prices! The quality of the food has also declined markedly in recent years. I suspect I'm not the only person who only stays long enough to eat a meal and drink a single pint. Obviously the management have decided that because there is nowhere else for people to get a meal at Wasdale Head, they can charge what they like. Moreover, I have to acknowledge that the profit margin on beer sales is insignificant. However, in the long run I suspect they have made a mistake as they are discouraging people from spending time on their premises. It is also very disrespectful of their local B&B colleagues, who have always recommended Ritson’s Bar as a place to get an evening meal, and who are now increasingly finding their guests are complaining about the prices at Ritson’s Bar. Some of them are actually choosing instead to drive to Nether Wasdale and back for dinner. Just to illustrate, I fail to see that the Wasdale Head Inn’s overheads can be that much higher than those of the Cheshire Cat in Christleton, Chester, where I stayed immediately after leaving Wasdale. Yet a sirloin steak in a bar environment costs £25.95 at Ritson’s, while a, frankly, much better steak served in a relaxed restaurant environment at the Cheshire Cat costs only £18.95. I used to say that Ritson’s Bar was my favourite pub, but I’m sorry to say that this is no longer the case.
Matt R
Myself and some friends stayed in the camp site across the road for a couple of nights to support our friend Bill scattering his late wife's ashes. On both nights we ate and drank in Ritson's bar and the experience was absolutely fantastic. Despite what some other reviews have been saying, the prices for food and drink are in line with other parts of the Lake District, and given how remote the location is, they are definitely well priced. The food itself was really tasty (the Lamb Henry was superb) and the portion sizes were spot on for me. The drinks selection focused much more on ales rather than lagers which is great if, like me, you want a beer that tastes of something. The decor around the rooms was classic lake district photos and snippets or articles and gave a really cosy feel to the snug area near the bar. I particular enjoyed the story about Will Ritson and his tall tales! But the main thing that made our trip so memorable was the staff. Without exception, everyone we spoke to was friendly and helpful. In particular Chris made us feel extremely welcome, chatting to us several times throughout our stay. Also would like to name Pete, AJ, Cameron, Hazel and Jordan (apologies if I've got their names slightly wrong!) as being particularly good. A pub with staff like this makes it a proper pub with character, not just a place to get fed and watered after a hike. We will certainly be back at some point. Thank you so much! Matt
tonysW4987CT
We stopped over for 2 nights at the adjacent camping area, and used the bar for food and drinks. First night we all had the excellent burger, and several pints of beer, which while tasty was served warm. The keg beers were cold, but the hand pumps were not chilled at all. Maybe the inn doesn’t have a traditional cellar. Second night we had a mix of meals. However, unlike the previous night, the food was below par. We ordered and ate the Katsu Curry, the Fish and Chips, and the Chicken Tikka Skewer with flatbread. After finishing my Tikka Skewer, I decided to approach the bar and express my disappointment, that there were only 3 small pieces of chicken on the skewer, and that this did not match the description on the menu. The bar persons answer was “I’ve told the kitchen about this before, and nothing changes!” I didn’t press for any refund, as it was obvious that it would make no difference. Overall, the Inn is a very nice place, and I have enjoyed meals there before. It’s such a shame that customer service seems to capitalise on the fact that they have a captive audience.
DanielCM95
Overpriced food which is sub standard. Poor customer service, suppose they don't need to bother when the location sells it's self.
Deana T
Such a lovely place, sat by the river with our dogs after a morning walking and swimming. Shame that one member of staff was bordering on rude to us, totally spoilt the day!
Plenty of indoor seating and hot food options including a vegan option (plant burger). On the pricey side but that's a given as it is in a good location with minimal other choices around for food and drink. Place has WiFi and clean toilets
laura jones
My son and I came here for dinner during our camping trip at Wasdale NT campsite. We had the best time! Food was amazing. Portions HUGE and maybe the best burger I've ever had. Service by bar team awesome.. friendly, knowledgeable and kind. Took time to talk to my son about wildcamping and inspired him to come away and tell me he can't wait to return to see his new friends and tell them about his camping experience! Would HIGHLY recommend to anyone. Great place. Will be back!
Grant Thompson
A lovely pub in the middle of nowhere great stop off for hikers and campers food was very good nice selection of beers very isolated at the top of the lake, great atmosphere Wi-Fi and phone didn’t work though. Nice pub a mile walk from my National Trust campsite down the road.
Jesse Barker
A nice warm pub with good local beers and a nice warm fire on wet days. What more could you possibly want after a (potentially wet) trip up a mountain. The beer is also reasonably priced given the location and from what I saw the food looked good as well. Atmosphere there feels very much like a proper old school tavern.
Benjamin Holdsworth
Made a recent trip to the bar, and although the indoor oven was out, the trailer arranged for making food produced the best fish, chips and mushy peas that I have had in years. Staff was friendly and helpful. Will have another meal here the next time up to Wasdale Head.
I come to the lakes twice a year and love nothing better than the steak pies. This one tasted fine but it has the lakes record for the smallest. About 2 inches square. The one from the Fox & Hounds at Ennerdale is 3 x the size. Had to go home and have something else to eat.
Great pub to stop for food and a
5 star as this is the only place in the bale and if this place wasn’t going what would there be? So fair play to those doing the shift and keeping this alive. Thanks. Shop near b, great walks round the back not just up Scafell. Campsite nearby too. Camp near the wall for wind protection.
For many decades now we have always strolled off the hill then going into Ritsons to enjoy a hearty meal that has kept us coming back time and time again. Perfect end to a great day on the mountains. Although I will not get into the cost which for nearly £19 for a Lasagne with a bit of salad. My wife thinks the chips were over £6 for a small bowl. I must comment that the quality of said food was the worst meal I have ever had in Ritsons. Dry tasteless Lasagne with concrete garlic bread. Albeit Wasdale ale was as always very pleasant. Sorry Team Ritson, today's experience was awful, terrible food, overpriced and service well below par. Please note we normally don't leave reviews, but today we felt we must. We will be looking for an alternative going forward, such a shame that such an establishment has deteriorated so much. Really disappointing.
Lovely bar. The cozy fire and comfy seats are a godsend after a long walk. Black pudding scotch egg was nice, burger was good. Chicken Katsu also looked good. Very nice after a long walk. Lovely
I have enjoyed many a pleasant evening in Ritson's Bar in the past few years, but I’m sorry to say that from now on I will be spending a lot less time there on my annual trips to Wasdale Head, because the food has become far too expensive. This is pub food at restaurant prices! The quality of the food has also declined markedly in recent years. I suspect I'm not the only person who only stays long enough to eat a meal and drink a single pint. Obviously the management have decided that because there is nowhere else for people to get a meal at Wasdale Head, they can charge what they like. Moreover, I have to acknowledge that the profit margin on beer sales is insignificant. However, in the long run I suspect they have made a mistake as they are discouraging people from spending time on their premises. It is also very disrespectful of their local B&B colleagues, who have always recommended Ritson’s Bar as a place to get an evening meal, and who are now increasingly finding their guests are complaining about the prices at Ritson’s Bar. Some of them are actually choosing instead to drive to Nether Wasdale and back for dinner. Just to illustrate, I fail to see that the Wasdale Head Inn’s overheads can be that much higher than those of the Cheshire Cat in Christleton, Chester, where I stayed immediately after leaving Wasdale. Yet a sirloin steak in a bar environment costs £25.95 at Ritson’s, while a, frankly, much better steak served in a relaxed restaurant environment at the Cheshire Cat costs only £18.95. I used to say that Ritson’s Bar was my favourite pub, but I’m sorry to say that this is no longer the case.
Myself and some friends stayed in the camp site across the road for a couple of nights to support our friend Bill scattering his late wife's ashes. On both nights we ate and drank in Ritson's bar and the experience was absolutely fantastic. Despite what some other reviews have been saying, the prices for food and drink are in line with other parts of the Lake District, and given how remote the location is, they are definitely well priced. The food itself was really tasty (the Lamb Henry was superb) and the portion sizes were spot on for me. The drinks selection focused much more on ales rather than lagers which is great if, like me, you want a beer that tastes of something. The decor around the rooms was classic lake district photos and snippets or articles and gave a really cosy feel to the snug area near the bar. I particular enjoyed the story about Will Ritson and his tall tales! But the main thing that made our trip so memorable was the staff. Without exception, everyone we spoke to was friendly and helpful. In particular Chris made us feel extremely welcome, chatting to us several times throughout our stay. Also would like to name Pete, AJ, Cameron, Hazel and Jordan (apologies if I've got their names slightly wrong!) as being particularly good. A pub with staff like this makes it a proper pub with character, not just a place to get fed and watered after a hike. We will certainly be back at some point. Thank you so much! Matt
We stopped over for 2 nights at the adjacent camping area, and used the bar for food and drinks. First night we all had the excellent burger, and several pints of beer, which while tasty was served warm. The keg beers were cold, but the hand pumps were not chilled at all. Maybe the inn doesn’t have a traditional cellar. Second night we had a mix of meals. However, unlike the previous night, the food was below par. We ordered and ate the Katsu Curry, the Fish and Chips, and the Chicken Tikka Skewer with flatbread. After finishing my Tikka Skewer, I decided to approach the bar and express my disappointment, that there were only 3 small pieces of chicken on the skewer, and that this did not match the description on the menu. The bar persons answer was “I’ve told the kitchen about this before, and nothing changes!” I didn’t press for any refund, as it was obvious that it would make no difference. Overall, the Inn is a very nice place, and I have enjoyed meals there before. It’s such a shame that customer service seems to capitalise on the fact that they have a captive audience.
Overpriced food which is sub standard. Poor customer service, suppose they don't need to bother when the location sells it's self.
Such a lovely place, sat by the river with our dogs after a morning walking and swimming. Shame that one member of staff was bordering on rude to us, totally spoilt the day!
Restaurantji Recommends
Plenty of indoor seating and hot food options including a vegan option (plant burger). On the pricey side but that's a given as it is in a good location with minimal other choices around for food and drink. Place has WiFi and clean toilets
My son and I came here for dinner during our camping trip at Wasdale NT campsite. We had the best time! Food was amazing. Portions HUGE and maybe the best burger I've ever had. Service by bar team awesome.. friendly, knowledgeable and kind. Took time to talk to my son about wildcamping and inspired him to come away and tell me he can't wait to return to see his new friends and tell them about his camping experience! Would HIGHLY recommend to anyone. Great place. Will be back!
A lovely pub in the middle of nowhere great stop off for hikers and campers food was very good nice selection of beers very isolated at the top of the lake, great atmosphere Wi-Fi and phone didn’t work though. Nice pub a mile walk from my National Trust campsite down the road.
A nice warm pub with good local beers and a nice warm fire on wet days. What more could you possibly want after a (potentially wet) trip up a mountain. The beer is also reasonably priced given the location and from what I saw the food looked good as well. Atmosphere there feels very much like a proper old school tavern.
Made a recent trip to the bar, and although the indoor oven was out, the trailer arranged for making food produced the best fish, chips and mushy peas that I have had in years. Staff was friendly and helpful. Will have another meal here the next time up to Wasdale Head.