Here’s our pick of just some of the best Cumbrian producers of food and drink from across the county.

The Lake District Honey Company – Lowther Honey

Jim Lowther started keeping bees and producing honey in 2015. He now has more than 600 hives across the Lowther Estate, with thousands of bees creating four types of delicious honey, depending on the time of year, including his signature River Lowther Blended Honey. 

The bees on the Lowther Estate are busy creatures and they also produce Lowther Castle Blossom Honey – which includes nectar from wild cherry, dandelions, sycamore and hawthorn – from pollen gathered by the bees in April and May. Brampton Valley Wildflower Honey is harvested throughout the summer and it has a mild flavour, with nectar from lime, clover, willowherb and wild raspberry. Shap Fell Heather Honey is an altogether more robust product, with a smoky flavour from the moor heathers around Shap.

Dalemain Marmalade

The majestic Dalemain country house in Penrith is the family home of Jane Hasell-McCosh, marmalade connoisseur and founder of The Marmalade Awards, which attracts entries from across the globe.

Jane’s love for this bitter orange conserve has led to her creating a line of exquisite marmalades such as Kitchen Garden with rhubarb from Dalemain; The Bishop’s Marmalade, a sweeter take on the traditional preserve, containing quince and lemon; and Apple & Brandy, which makes use of the bumper apple crop on the estate. Then there are family favourites such as George’s Marmalade, which is her son’s favourite, and of course, Jane’s Marmalade, a thick-cut orange and grapefruit preserve made to a recipe from her childhood.

Lakes Whisky

Whisky from The Lakes Distillery takes water from the Lake District National Park and mixes it with barley in a slow mashing, fermentation and distillation process, followed by maturation in oak sherry casks. This culminates in whiskies that display the nuances of their individual casks; the result is a sheer delight for whisky lovers. Favourites include The Lakes Whiskymaker’s Reserve Single Malt No.5, The Lakes Signature Blended Whisky and The Lakes Whiskymaker’s Editions Bal Masque.

Cumberland Saucy Gin

Our own Cumbrian masterpiece, Cumberland Saucy Gin, is part craft gin, part homage to a celebrated traditional sauce, local to these parts, usually served alongside cold meats.

Cumberland Sauce is a popular mixture of fruit and spices, including orange, redcurrants, black peppercorns and mustard. We’ve taken the highlights of this and combined them with juniper berries and botanicals to create our bestselling citrus spicy gin. It lends itself particularly well to the festive season, but with its fresh tasted and warming tones, is great at any time of the year.

Jane’s Marmalade Gin

An inspired fusion of botanicals, Seville oranges, grapefruit and lemon, Jane’s Marmalade Gin is a partnership between Jane Hasell-McCosh of the beautiful Dalemain country house and ourselves. Based on her signature marmalade, the  flavour is fruity and full-bodied, with citrus notes shining through. The result is a traditional gin that is eminently drinkable, Cumbrian heritage apparent in every drop.

Mr Vikkis

Adam Marks, the award-winning chef behind Mr Vikkis, is passionate about Indian pickles, chutneys and chillies. He’s based in the Lake District and has conjured up amazing artisan recipes, handcrafting his products from the best fresh ingredients, herbs and freshly milled spices. There are now more than 30 products in the range – including his ever-popular Banana Habanero, which took four years to perfect – with heat levels to suit all tastes. Mr Vikkis has fans across the country and has won more than 110 awards internationally for this self-confessed chilli-head.

Lakeland Mues

Breakfast will never be the same once you discover Lakeland Mues artisan toasted muesli! Each batch is lovingly crafted by hand in Cumbria and is chock-full of the finest nuts, cereals and seeds, with the perfect amount of honey to bring it all together. Choose from the Artman Classic, Berry Blast, The Chocolatier and Total Nutter, as well as seasonal favourites such as Winter Wonder. There’s even a gluten-free vegan recipe so everybody is catered for and more importantly, well fed and happy.

Traybakes

Cakes that look and taste homemade are the hallmark of Traybakes. The award-winning company is based in Penrith and sources the best nuts, fruit, chocolate chips and more to create its handmade cakes that are baked to traditional recipes. We stock a great selection of individual bars, sharing slices and, if you’re hungry, full trays! Flavours include Salted Caramel Brownie, Cinder Road, Honeycomb Crunch and Paradise Flapjack. Yum!

Tirril Ales and Gin

Tirril Brewery in Long Marton, near Appleby-in-Westmoreland, crafts a wide selection of fine ales, stout and lagers for an appreciative clientele locally and beyond the Lake District. Tirril lagers are filtered, not fined, so are suitable for vegetarians and vegans, while all their beers are gluten-free. Favourites include Windermere IPA and Borrowdale Bitter.

Tirril has taken its beliefs in quality and authenticity and applied them to gin, working in conjunction with local distiller Solway Spirits. Flavoured with fruits foraged from Lakeland trees and hedgerows, and gathered from the kitchen garden adjacent to the brewery, their gins include Elderflower and Borrowdale Honey, Wild Blackberry, Rhubarb, and Raspberry.

Langtons No.1 Gin

The water used in Langtons No.1 Gin started off under Skiddaw, the sixth highest mountain in England, before being filtered through 450-million-year-old slate on its way to the surface. This is then married with local botanicals, including seasoned ancient oak bark, resulting in a triple award-winning spirit that is both smooth and fresh on the palate.

Cumbrian Food Producers

Browse our online shop for a whole host of fabulous Cumbrian produce, or pop into our shop in Pooley Bridge, where we can help you pick out a delicious treat or two.