The King's Head

Free parking is attractive

I have grave misgivings about hotels in the busiest parts of the Lake District, especially at holiday times. Obviously they will be relentlessly overcrowded, with harassed and unfriendly staff. I’ve wanted to go back to the Proper Lake District for a while though so took a risk on the King’s Head. It’s easy to find on the ear popping main road up from Grasmere, just beyond the impressive hulk of Steel Fell, close to Thirlemere. Parking anywhere in the Lakes is hideous and expensive. Not here. Relaxed and plenty of room. It’s a long building with a pleasant bar restaurant area and beer garden. I found a rather pleasant residents lounge where a lady called Jo checked me in and made me feel welcome. It does get busy with passing trade but the staff look after their residents. They flogged me decent real ale and Jura whisky (the proper stuff). Breakfast is briskly table served from a menu and is well presented. I didn’t eat otherwise there but the food is popular and well priced. The road outside is busy and a bit of a racetrack, and the occasional fighter jet roars between the mountains on low altitude practice, but the relentless bleating of the sheep opposite soon returns things to normal. I was a little sorry to depart, but the manager said he hoped I would come again. I believe I will, and will even bring my wife.

Staff were lovely and we felt really looked after during our stay. A particular highlight was the food - lamb, chicken and steak were all excellent.

Fantastic hotel, lovely staff, delicious food and central location to all the hotspots with a bus stop across the road with a regular bus service to and from all the hotspots. Room for 1 was clean and beautifully decorated but very small which meant that on warm sunny nights the heat builds up making it uncomfortable to get ready and sleep in, easy fix, needs Air Con or a decent fan as the ones in the room were inadequate, however would this stop me returning, absolutely not as everything else in the Kings Head Inn was first class. Special shout to Sean/Shaun who gave me some lovely scenic places to walk.

The hotel was near to Helvellyn for our walk, our third visit to this hotel. The staff were all very hardworking and lovely. The meals and choices were very good as were the bar choices. A lovely old building.

Excellent stay Great overnight stay. I had booked a double room for myself and my neice as there was no twin available, but at check in they were able to offer us a twin which was perfect. Breakfast was absolutely lovely, full English all cooked fresh.