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Local area guide · Lake District / Cumbria

Group-Friendly Restaurants, Pubs & Things To Do near Number One

Number One is the first house on The Terrace above Windermere station, in Windermere town. We’d use the station for arrivals and plan separate journeys north towards Ambleside and Grasmere. A restaurant advertised as being beside Windermere may mean the lake, rather than a short walk from this house.The house sleeps fourteen, with additional infant cots by arrangement, and has an extendable dining table. We’d keep one proper meal at home and reserve a restaurant evening for the whole party. Confirm the bedroom layout before assigning couples and single guests; all bedrooms are upstairs and the entrance has steps.

Where to stay in Number One, WindermereAdd an experience at the house

Where to stay

Group houses to rent in Number One, Windermere

Whole-house rentals on our books in and around Number One, Windermere — exclusive use, booked direct with the owner.

Bring it to the house

Group experiences at your house in Number One, Windermere

These six travel to any house we list, Number One, Windermere included. The host turns up with everything needed, so nobody has to book a table or a taxi.

Staying at Number One? Give us the house and your dates when you ask for a quote and we’ll price it for that address, travel included.

Want something else? The full list is on our group experiences page, though some of those need a local venue, so check the area on each one.

See every experience

Eating & drinking

Where to arrange group meals in Number One, Windermere

Ask about one table or agreed neighbouring tables and give the full headcount. We’d send allergies, children’s requirements and access needs together before anyone books transport.

  • The Samling, Windermere

    About ten minutes’ drive north on Ambleside Road, the Samling offers restaurant dining and a separate event space, The Gathering. We’d contact the hotel about a house-sized meal, the menu and the space actually available. Its Chef’s Table is a much smaller experience and won’t seat the whole party. Discuss dietary needs and children directly rather than assume every dining format follows identical rules.

  • The Drunken Duck Inn, Barngates

    About twenty-five minutes’ drive away near Ambleside, the Drunken Duck takes restaurant reservations. We’d enquire directly about a larger meal or adjacent tables before making it the main dinner. Its published policy says it can’t safely cater for guests with an allergy requiring an adrenaline auto-injector or a previous severe reaction, so it won’t suit every party. Read the current cancellation terms when booking.

  • The Wateredge Inn, Ambleside

    About fifteen minutes’ drive away on Borrans Road at Waterhead, the Wateredge serves pub meals with indoor and lakeside seating. We’d contact the team about the full group and a dependable indoor arrangement. Children’s choices and designated dog-friendly areas make it an option to discuss for a mixed party. Walk-in availability shouldn’t be treated as a promise of immediate seats for everyone.

  • The Waterhead Inn, Ambleside

    About fifteen minutes’ drive away on Lake Road, this is a separate inn from the nearby Wateredge. It offers bookable tables, pub dishes and children’s choices. We’d ask which table or neighbouring tables can accommodate the party and whether any dogs can join that booking. Confirm the exact inn in the taxi instructions so guests don’t arrive at two different restaurants.

  • Fellinis, Ambleside

    About twenty minutes’ drive away on Church Street, Fellinis combines vegetarian dining with a boutique cinema. We’d contact the reservations team about a larger table or coordinated tables and check the menu suits everyone. A dinner-and-film booking needs both parts arranged, including suitable seats and screening times. Ask about stair access before choosing a cinema package for guests with limited mobility.

  • Zeffirellis, Ambleside

    About twenty minutes’ drive away on Compston Road, Zeffirellis offers vegetarian dining, cinema and live music. We’d enquire about a group reservation and agree which dining area you’ll use. It shares an operator with Fellinis but occupies a different venue. Check the current programme if adding a film: the website reports a temporary closure affecting one screen, so don’t promise an unconfirmed screening.

Menus, opening hours and group policies change — always confirm directly with the venue.

Things to do

Things to do in Number One, Windermere for large groups

Choose an outing for your party and confirm any operator booking or access requirements.

  • Stock Ghyll Force, Ambleside

    About twenty minutes’ drive to Ambleside, followed by a walk uphill, the council’s woodland route leads to waterfall viewing points. We’d let walkers move in smaller groups and keep to marked paths and barriers. Wet leaves, steps and steep sections make this unsuitable as an effortless accessible stroll. Choose a town meeting point for anyone who’d rather skip the climb.

  • Stagshaw Garden

    About fifteen minutes’ drive away near Waterhead, this National Trust woodland garden has winding paths and views towards the lake. We’d visit in smaller walking groups and arrange transport carefully because the car park is small. Much of the ground is steep or rugged, with some steps. Check the current access statement and don’t expect toilets or extensive facilities at the garden itself.

  • Wordsworth Grasmere and Dove Cottage

    About twenty-five minutes’ drive away, Wordsworth Grasmere offers booked group visits combining the cottage, museum and gardens. The cottage tour capacity can fit Number One’s guests, subject to spaces being available together. We’d reserve the visit and discuss access needs before confirming. Check current times and the itinerary rather than assume a museum ticket means unrestricted entry to the small historic cottage.

  • Allan Bank, Grasmere

    About thirty minutes’ drive away with a final walk from village parking, Allan Bank has exhibitions, views and wooded grounds. We’d ask about arriving as a group and let guests choose how much of the outdoor route to attempt. Indoor picnic space is useful in uncertain weather, but check capacity before depending on it for everyone. The woodland paths are more demanding than sitting in the house.

  • Ambleside Adventure climbing wall

    About twenty minutes’ drive away, the climbing wall accepts private group bookings with instruction. We’d book a session appropriate to the party’s ages and experience, rather than bring a large novice group for unsupervised climbing. Confirm instructor provision, clothing, supervision and the activity format together. Give non-climbers a separate plan and agree when everyone will meet for the return journey.

  • Rothay Park, Ambleside

    About twenty minutes’ drive away, Rothay Park has open grass, picnic benches and a children’s play area. We’d use it for an informal break where guests can spread out, rather than promise exclusive space for organised games. Bring layers and supervise children around paths and natural rock outcrops. Check local dog signs and leave the park clear for other visitors.

Check current tickets, group availability and access directly with the operator.

Good to know

Practical tips for a big group in Number One, Windermere

The big shop, getting around and the things worth sorting before everyone arrives.

Good to know

  • Follow the host’s directions for Number One on The Terrace. The owner lists six parking spaces and an EV charger shared with White Moss; coordinate cars and charging rather than use neighbouring spaces.
  • Confirm bed configurations before arrival, including any requested zip-and-link changes. Sleeping capacity and dining capacity are different, and a larger table doesn’t authorise extra overnight guests or day visitors.
  • Arrange groceries for the first evening and divide cooking duties. The hallway bar is for your own drinks, so check the host’s rules before planning suppliers, entertainment or a celebration.
  • Book return transport for rural dinners, especially Barngates. We’d agree the collection location and vehicle capacity in advance instead of expecting several app-based taxis to arrive together.
  • The hot tub seats fewer people than the house sleeps. Agree turns and follow the house’s outdoor-noise rules; the neighbouring Terrace houses may have other guests staying.
  • Check current times, road conditions and weather before each outing. Keep waterproofs handy and let guests choose a park or indoor visit when a steep woodland walk doesn’t suit them.

Plan with current information

Official visitor sources

Use these sources for current routes, access information and visitor arrangements.

Local planning references checked 30 October 2026. Confirm prices, opening times, access and group capacity directly before booking.

More local guides

Other group-friendly area guides

The same format for other UK towns and villages that work well for a big group.

Keep planning the trip

Once the house is settled, the rest of it — dates, the food shop, which experience to book, who is paying for what — is the part that usually drags. Our free group trip planner keeps the itinerary, the budget and the group in one place, and you can share it with everyone on a single link.

Still choosing where to go? Browse every large group house on Group Escape Houses, or look at Group accommodation in the Lake District.

Bring the whole group to Number One, Windermere

Exclusive-use houses, booked direct with the owner — no commission and no hotel corridors.

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