5 of the Best Food and Drink Producers in the Lake District

The Lake District is a food lovers paradise, boasting a vast array of award-winning food and drink. The region’s idyllic location and proximity to an abundance of farmland and unlimited supply of Lakeland water, provides the perfect environment for produce to flourish. This means that artisan makers are able to source the freshest ingredients to create a variety of tasty treats.

You can sample some of the best food Cumbria has to offer at farm shops and food festivals across the county during a stay at our Lake District holiday park.

Grasmere Gingerbread

In 1854 Sarah Nelson developed, Grasmere Gingerbread, a unique sweet and spicy snack, unlike anything locals had ever tasted before. In the years that followed news of the gingerbread spread far and wide and hordes of visitors began flocking to her Lake District home to sample the delicious product, which was somewhere between a cake and a biscuit. Today third generation members of the Nelson family continue to sell the secret recipe from Church Cottage, Mrs Nelsons Victorian home. The secret recipe remains unchanged and popular with visitors to Park Cliffe.

Hawkshead Relish Company

Hawkshead Relish was originally created by husband and wife team, Mark and Maria to accompany dishes served in their small café. Following praise from customers and requests to purchase their products to take home, the couple began bottling a small range to sell. An overwhelming reception inspired Mark and Maria to take the leap to start producing their products on a larger scale to be sold in farm shops and garden centres throughout Cumbria. From its humble beginnings the Hawkshead Relish company has gone on to win more than 60 Great Taste Awards and now boasts a range of more than 120 products, stocked in 20 countries worldwide. Their jams, marmalades, mustards and preserves continue to be made by hand in open pans using only quality ingredients. During your trip to the lakes you can visit their shop in Hawkshead.

The Lakes Gin

 The Lakes Gin is created in a beautiful renovated distillery within the bounds of the national park. It is distilled in a traditional copper still and combines a beautiful selection of botanicals and notes of juniper, citrus and orange. Cold and pure water from the lakes is used throughout the 18-hour distillation process, which helps to create a smooth gin, which is best enjoyed with Mediterranean tonic water. The Lakes Gin has won numerous industry awards, including a gold medal at the World Gin Awards. If you fancy a tipple during your stay with us at Park Cliffe, we serve The Lakes Gin in our on-site bar.

Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding

Cartmel is situated on the outskirts of the Lake District National Park and the official home of the Sticky Toffee Pudding. The delightful sweet treat was first created in the back kitchen of the village shop, before demand grew and a larger premise were required. Despite the expansion Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding is still made using the same high-quality and 100% natural local ingredients. It also continues to be made by hand. Even the toffee is hand ladled to ensure an authentic eating experience!

Jennings Brewery

Jennings ales have been brewed in the Lakeland village of Cockermouth since 1828. The Beers have received numerous awards and are a staple in many pubs throughout the national park and the wider Cumbria area. Jennings combine a mix of traditional and modern commercial techniques in their unique brewing process. They use pure Lakeland water from their on-site well and ensure they maintain the traditional values instilled by the brewery’s founders.

Photo credit: Wildman Media, Cumbria Media Library