The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Great Langdale, Ambleside LA22 9JY England
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About
#91 of 135 hotels in Ambleside
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Value
The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel and Famous Climbers Bar is to be found in the magnificent setting of the Great Langdale Valley. It is the ‘original’ Dale Head Inn and right in the centre of the Lake District.
The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel provides accommodation and sustenance to weary fell walkers and climbers in the midst of some of the highest mountains in England.
Finish your day on the fell with a pint or two of local ale and hearty food.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Public wifi
Free breakfast
Bar / lounge
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Sun umbrellas
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Room features
Housekeeping
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Private bathrooms
Electric kettle
Bath / shower
Room types
Mountain view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Quirky Hotels
Mid-range
Location
Great Langdale, Ambleside LA22 9JY England
Getting there
Car HireSee all Ambleside car hire
404Reviews1Q+A55Room tips
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Staff were miserable and unwelcoming. Sign says walk-in breakfast welcome from 8 till 930. 8 of us got turned away at 8.30 in the morning. No explanation given except chef said no! Wouldn't have been so bad but as it's basically the only place in the valley , we had been for dinner and drinks for the previous 2 nights so between us all spent a fair bit of ££££. Food is basic but nice. The beers ok but the bar staff are as welcoming as 90's bouncers.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
After a 6 and a half mile walk up the glorious valley from Skelwith Bridge we wanted a simple coffee and soup or a sandwich. When the cafe door was unlocked half an hour late, the surly member of staff didn't think to open the door or even welcome in the 12 or so hungry and thirsty walkers but stomped off to the back of the bar and stood with arms crossed glaring at all those brave enough to enter. We ordered some coffee and not a word was spoken to us. When asking for some milk we were told that as we had ordered an Americano we would not be getting milk! There was no offer of a menu, no smile, and when asking what beers were available were told to look for ourselves!! Beyond rude. We hurried to the next bus and found a far friendlier place at Chesters Cafe. Will not be returning.…
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Date of stay: November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We came to the climbers bar for a beer, what a great pub, no frills, just good beer and a warm welcome. Straight forward food, well cooked, great portions and served quickly! I had the battered haggis, absolutely delicious. Shall definitely come back next time we stay in Langdale
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
It was not without misgivings that we arrived here, having read some very negative reviews. We were, however, delighted to find that they were very misleading, in fact we wondered if they were reviewing the same place! The bar and hotel staff are friendly, helpful and efficient, and what’s more they have a great sense of humour. The climbers’ bar is exactly what you want when you come back muddy and dripping from a day on the fells. It is warm, clean and functional and serves a variety of well-kept local ales as well as great coffee and the best pies in the area. If you’re lucky, you will get to hear some live music and not just on Wednesday. We also found lots of like-minded people and wiled away the evenings in pleasant company. Our room was clean, warm and comfortable with a small en suite bathroom. Both were serviced daily while we were out exploring the fells. Breakfast was generous, with a variety of options, all served with a smile. All in all this is a great base from which to enjoy the Great Langdale Valley, and meet some really lovely people. We will endeavour to return in the not too distant future.…
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Book early to avoid disappointment!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Stayed two nights in Langdale earlier this week and spent both nights eating and drinking in the Old Dungeon Ghyll Climbers bar. What a place. Food was excellent, pie of the day gorgeous and the Chicken Wings fantastic. Beer as usual was excellent and loads of choice. Atmosphere was brilliant. Really don't understand how this place gets poor reviews. We've always found the staff to be great, I suppose it depends on how you treat people and what you expect. For a pub basically in the middle of nowhere it's always open, food and beer always available. Certainly can't say the same for other parts of the Lake District. Will be back (again!)
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Wifi now brilliant
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Only good thing is the location and the staff who did their best We have stayed at this hotel many times in the past and can confidently say that it has gone seriously down hill. The whole place has become shabby. Menu poor. At breakfast we were told the fruit salad was unavailable - (no fruit in the kitchen but we could have the one remaining apple!) On the second morning they ran out of eggs ( at one point we could have had poached or fried eggs which had obviously been pre-cooked but no scrambled etc. Shortly after this there were no eggs available) At dinner we were told that there was no point in bringing the desert menu as there was just one brownie remaining
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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Room Tip: Don’t bother
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Hotel Reception, Guest Services / Front Office at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Responded 20 Oct 2023
Thanks for your feedback. All reviews are useful.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We visited the climbers bar for a snack and a beer. It’s a spit and sawdust kind of place, metaphorically and literally. Hard benches, uneven floors, etc but quirky for sure. Graffiti scratched into the wooden tables has an interesting early 1980s feel to it - but not sure it works now. The pale ale was quite pleasant as was the tuna mayonnaise sandwiches; which were reasonably priced too. The food was brought to the table by the ‘chef’ who was clearly not a people person; glum, dour and disinterested is about the best one could describe him as. There’s not many places around there and I would expect after 6 hours in the pouring rain on the pikes, the bar is probably heaven. However - if you’re thinking of making a detour from somewhere else, simply to tick this one off your list - you maybe need to think twice.…
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Just make sure you park in pub car park opposite and not the national trust one next door, which...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Hotel Reception, Guest Services / Front Office at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Responded 20 Oct 2023
Thanks for your review. We are what we are and loved by a great many. Some call us authentic but we are and always will be a climbers bar. History was made here by a great many route setters and path layers. We're not for everyone, but those we are for, we'll keep the traditions and authenticitu going. We wish you safe travels. The ODG.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Currently doing the Cumbrian Way walk and camping near by. Stopped in for preparation for a decent evening meal before the horrific rain the next day. The BEST pub food I have experienced in a long time, my mates curry could have been out of a fresh tandoori, my pie was fantastic and proper home cooked chips were EXACTLY what we needed! Belter food, better beer and great place! Thanks :)
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Hotel Reception, Guest Services / Front Office at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Responded 22 Sept 2023
We hope your trip was enjoyable. Langstrath is certainly a site to behold after the Langdale Valley. Thanks for stopping in and we'll pass the message on to the kitchen staff and chef. See you again soon. ODG.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We were 3 friends on a walking holiday and we really enjoyed our stay. One of our party was injured and the staff were very helpful to her. The stay was great value as we shared a family room with a separate bathroom. The food was good and all the staff were friendly and helpful. I'd definitely return.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Hotel Reception, Guest Services / Front Office at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Responded 23 Sept 2023
Thanks for your wonderful review. We're glad you enjoyed your stay with us and we look forward to seeing you again in future. The ODG.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is a characterful hotel, if you want modern luxurious interior this is not for you but it was just perfect for us after a long (damp) walk. We visited for one night and had a dog with us. The staff couldn’t help us more, we had the residents bar to ourselves and rang the bell where refreshments were needed. We were not allowed in the restaurant with our dog but the staff were super and laid a table in the residents bar for us with the restaurant menu available to us. The food was lovely. The beer spot on and the barman even went out his way when we requested him to find us a pack of playing cards. For breakfast again the staff could help more and laid a table in the bar so we could eat with our dog. A wonderful stay and we will definitely return as the location is amazing if you like walking. …
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Hotel Reception, Guest Services / Front Office at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Responded 22 Sept 2023
Thanks for your wonderful review. We're happy you enjoyed your stay and hope to see you again in future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$139 - US$162 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandCumbriaLake DistrictAmbleside
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
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Claim Your ListingTHE OLD DUNGEON GHYLL HOTEL - Updated 2023 (Ambleside)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Easedale Tarn (3.1 miles), Loughrigg Fell (3.7 miles), and Lake Grasmere (3.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Jumble Room, Lanty Slee's, and Lucia's Coffee + Bakehouse.
Are pets allowed at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Rydal Mount & Gardens (4.4 miles).