A Lake District watering hole that only opened in 2019 has been voted as ‘The UK Lakeside Bar of the Year’.

Despite having to tackle Coronavirus restrictions, Boaters Bar on Glebe Road in Bowness has thrived under the pressure by winning the iGap Travel Awards.

The awards acknowledge businesses that are helping to shape the traditional gap year travel experience.

Olivia Hartley, marketing, events and communications manager at the venue, said: “We were all overwhelmed but so delighted and over the moon to have won this award.

“We only opened in 2019, and we’ve been closed for a lot of that time and had COVID restrictions, so to be found as one of the best lakeside bars is very pleasing.

“We put a lot of time and effort into organising different events including hosting live musicians, tribute acts and mic nights for all of our customers to enjoy.”

Customers have lauded Boaters Bar on TripAdvisor and Google with the venue gaining a rating of 4.5/5.

Olivia added: “Hopefully we’ll get more people visiting us from further afield now. Hopefully our international clients and customers from all over the country will help put Bowness-on-Windermere back on the map.”