Pulled Pork Toasted Ciabatta
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The Picnic Box, Ambleside Hot and Cold Food

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A popular spot in Ambleside for delicious, budget-friendly hot and cold food, perfect for grabbing a quick bite.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Pulled Pork Toasted Ciabatta

The Picnic Box, Ambleside Hot and Cold Food

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A popular spot in Ambleside for delicious, budget-friendly hot and cold food, perfect for grabbing a quick bite.

"Best sandwich/baguette in the Lake District with phenomenal prices and amazing service!"

TIP

Customize Your Fillings

Swap or add ingredients and sauces to create your perfect sandwich.

Picnic Perfection

Take your meal to go for a scenic picnic in the Lake District.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 4PM

Cuisine

Sandwich shop

Price

$

Phone

+44 15394 32475

Address

1 Lake Rd, Ambleside, LA22 0AD, United Kingdom

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Generous and Customizable Sandwiches

Generous and Customizable Sandwiches

Build your perfect sandwich with a wide array of fresh fillings and sauces. Great value with generous portions.

Google Review
Perfect Pre-Adventure Fuel

Perfect Pre-Adventure Fuel

Grab a delicious and convenient bite before exploring the stunning Lake District. Open early for breakfast.

Ambleside Restaurants, Cafes, and takeawaysGoogle Review
Mouthwatering Sausage Rolls

Mouthwatering Sausage Rolls

Homemade sausage rolls, available in various flavors, are a must-try for their flaky pastry and delicious filling.

Google Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Customize Your Fillings

Swap or add ingredients and sauces to create your perfect sandwich.

Picnic Perfection

Take your meal to go for a scenic picnic in the Lake District.

Try Specialty Sandwiches

The mozzarella, pesto, and tomato Panini is highly recommended.

Visit Off-Peak

Consider visiting during less busy times to avoid crowds.

Tips

from all over the internet

Customize Your Fillings

Swap or add ingredients and sauces to create your perfect sandwich.

Picnic Perfection

Take your meal to go for a scenic picnic in the Lake District.

Try Specialty Sandwiches

The mozzarella, pesto, and tomato Panini is highly recommended.

Visit Off-Peak

Consider visiting during less busy times to avoid crowds.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Picnic Box is praised for its friendly service, great value, and delicious, customizable sandwiches and rolls. Many appreciate the generous portion sizes and the ability to create personalized meals. However, some find the quality of certain ingredients, like the sausages, to be subpar and the food can sometimes be overly greasy.

"Absolute gem of a place, friendly service, bargain of a price for the food, food was great and the baguettes were soft. Can pick and choose your own fillings! Can’t recommend enough for the price."

Bait Leak

"Got a sausage and egg sandwich. They use the very cheapest quality sausages. They microwaved both the sausages and the eggs, the bun was absolutely soaking with sauce and grease. Took one bite and had to spit it out. Absolutely disgusting food. I will never go there again."

Kriss Lucas

"Great little find for a breakfast sandwich on the move. Very reasonably priced. Everything you'd expected a sandwich shop to offer. Card and cash taken. Will definitely be back when in the area."

Simon

What People Like

Friendly and welcoming staff
Generous portions and great value
Customizable sandwich options

What People Dislike

Inconsistent ingredient quality
Greasy food

Frequently Asked Questions

The Picnic Box opens at 8:00 am, making it ideal for breakfast.

Ambleside Restaurants, Cafes, and takeaways

Yes, you can pick and choose your own fillings and sauces to create your perfect sandwich.

Google Review

The menu includes options like 'Hummus & Red Pepper' and 'V Woodland' which features caramelized onion, mushroom & vegan cheese.

Yes, the service is quick, making it perfect for grabbing lunch before exploring.

Ambleside Restaurants, Cafes, and takeaways

Yes, both card and cash are accepted.

Google Review

Mentioned in

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