Meet our good friends from The Britannia Inn

Please introduce yourself

We’re Andy and Anna Parker, the Landlord and Landlady of the Britannia Inn in Elterwater.

Tell us about your business. What is it you do?

We run the famous Britannia Inn. Our Inn is located in the village of Elterwater, in the Langdale Valleys. We provide traditional pub accommodation, delicious home cooked food and a great choice of real ales for visitors and locals to enjoy.

What’s the story behind your business?

The Britannia Inn is around 500 years old, and for roughly the first 300 years of it’s life it was a gentleman farmer's house. Our cellar and staff accommodation used to be barns for livestock.  The area which we rather grandly call the 'Resident's Lounge', through the dining room, used to be a cobbler's shop, and separate to the farmhouse. About 200 years ago the farmhouse became an Inn, although how it came to be known as 'The Britannia Inn' remains a mystery.

What makes your business great, why should guests staying at Original Cottages Lake District visit?

We provide fantastic home cooked food, a great choice of well-kept real ales and you can come and you meet our helpful staff.

What do you love about the Lake District?

We love the views and great walks, there’s lots of both in the Lake District.

Tell us about your favourite spot in the Lake District, and why you love it so much?

Wasdale, because of the big, impressive fells and amazing views from the tops. Wasdale is a unique place, you get to climb the highest mountain in England, dive in the deepest lake in England and visit the smallest church in England.

What are the top 3 places guests of Original Cottages should visit or activities you would recommend they do?

The Britannia Inn of course! Scale Force in Buttermere as it’s the Lake District’s highest waterfall and am impressive site! The Via Ferrarta at Honister is a great place to visit too, you’ll definitely have a memorable afternoon there.

What is your best kept secret about the Lake District?

It’s beautiful here, but come on your Lake District holiday outside of the school holidays and enjoy it when it’s a bit quieter.