Fodor's Expert Review Punch Bowl Inn

An outstanding inn and restaurant, the Punch Bowl is a stylish but down-to-earth retreat in the peaceful Lyth Valley, between Windermere and Kendal. The bright, airy bedrooms have high ceilings and lots of sturdy oak beams. Chic fabrics and wallpaper add some flair, and handsome roll-top tubs take pride of place in the wood-paneled bathrooms. Views are over the village church and the fields, and the breakfasts are famously good. The sleek, slate-floored bar serves fine real ales, and you can sample top-notch homemade and locally sourced dishes in the bright, contemporary restaurant.