We stopped in Buttermere for a weekend and were going to visit the Bridge to eat after a long days walk as it had been recommended to us. We visited on Friday evening just for a drink and to check out the food menu (which to be fair looked very good). We enjoyed a drink then went to ask the bar staff if we could book a table for the following night for 8 of us. We were curtly told "no, we don't do reservations". Ok we said, can you advise us on whether it'll be very busy and at what are the peak times, we'll come outside of those. "No idea, it may be busy, it may not" was the curt reply. Anyway we left at that point and all made arrangements to meet there at 6.30 on the following night. We duly arrived, there were only 6 people in already eating. We asked a member of the bar staff where were the easiest places for 8 of us to sit and he pointed to two corners and said "either of those". We duly moved over into one of the corners and moved two of the small tables closer together so that we could all sit as a small group - definitely not impinging on any other diners. The bar manager (?) glowered at us from behind the bar and we asked if it was ok as we'd moved the two tables together. His answer was "well you already have done havent you" very sharply. We decided to just ignore it and get drinks and menus but two or our party decided they didnt want to sit on stools and so went to swap them with free chairs from an adjoining table. At this point the bar person shouted loudly "could you please not swap the chairs as other people may want to sit on them later". All the other diners were embarrased (as were the other bar staff!!) and we just sat down and discussed our treatment and as one we all agreed to leave without eating or having a drink. None of could understand it as we'd probably have spend well over £200 on drinks and food there. I complained to the bar manager saying that he was very rude and he just shrugged and said "well you shouldnt have moved the table and chairs". So beware - even if there's only 6 people in the pub, don't you dare try and move a chair and table to sit together - it may be that "someone may come in later". Apalling service. We decided to revisit the Fish next door instead (where we were stopping) and were made most welcome and even though the bar area was very busy with other diners, the staff there helped us move two tables together to eat. Good food and excellent choice of local real ales.

Have just had a four night break at at the Bridge. We were amazed at the standard of the food in the restaurant on each night we stayed there. The room was spacious and individual, it looked as though it had been refurbished. We stayed with friends whose room was also great. Staff friendly and help ful in particular Paul who was always aware of what was happening and made sure the restaurant ran smoothly. Many thanks for a great stay.

We stayed for two nights in the summer in a lovely room, not a very big room but spotlessly clean with a lovely comfortable bed and good clean shower area. The food was faultless and the waiters were very friendly and efficient. We would definitely go back again.

I have just spent three nights at the Bridge Hotel, my second visit this year. The rate I paid represented excellent value for money. The dinners are delicious and very reasonably priced at £31.50 .

I returned to the Bridge Hotel because I had so enjoyed the accommodation and food on my previous visit in April. My recollection was in every way justified. The service was friendly and efficient.

I think the hotel deserves its *** rating and the food is a notch above that. There is also a good and reasonably priced wine list.

The hotel is well placed for anybody visiting the Northern Lakes