Joan Rivers is the latest star to visit the Lake District (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Joan Rivers is the latest star to visit the Lake District

2:00pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Stephanie Manley, Reporter

AN American comedienne is the latest in a long line of celebrities to brave the wet weather and flock to the Lake District.

Joan Rivers, who is also an actress, writer, and film director, stopped off for Sunday lunch at The Punch Bowl, Crosthwaite, at the weekend, where she enjoyed twice-baked souffle, a traditional roast beef dinner, and sticky toffee pudding.

Manager Lorraine Stanton said Ms Rivers, and her five guests, were ‘absolutely lovely’. “They were very nice and really friendly,” she said. “They originally were planning to have just two courses as they needed to be out by 2.30pm, but they loved it so much they ended up having three, and coffee.”

The 79-year-old gave the manager a scarf from her Joan Rivers Collection before writing ‘thank you for a fab lunch’ in the visitors book, and tweeting: ‘Had a delicious roast at the Punch Bowl in Kendal’ to her 1.4million followers.

She also added a photograph of Windermere, and said it was a ‘perfect English day’ at the lake.

The famous visitor dropped in less than a week after chart-topper Neil Sedaka called in for lunch at the White Hart, Kendal, where staff described him as a ‘lovely, lovely person’.

And there have also been some well-known faces staying for more than lunch.

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi stayed at Windermere’s Holbeck Gyhll Country House Hotel, in September.

Spokesperson Ellie Hargreaves said: “Mr Iommi was great fun to have around, and very complimentary about the area and the food. “He has a look of someone famous, but you could tell by their faces, that some of the guests couldn't place him, which often happens and is always quite amusing.”

The hotel has also seen the likes of Cheryl Cole, Lionel Richie, Colleen Rooney, Charlize Theron, and Pet Shop Boys star Neil Tennant, and Olympic medallist Pete Reed, pass through the doors.

Mr Reed, who won gold in the men’s coxless four at London 2012, took his girlfriend, Frauke, to Holbeck Ghyll two weeks ago to celebrate getting engaged at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.

And Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne helped drum up business for Bowness restaurant Porto, after he recently tweeted: ‘Having fantastic meal at Porto in Bowness. My boys give Porto nine out of ten.’ Managing director of Cumbria Tourism, Ian Stephens, said: “Celebrities play an increasingly influential role in our society and, like most of us, they too like to take holidays. The Lake District is one of the most beautiful and inspiring locations in the world, and it’s no wonder that famous people want to discover this stunning place for themselves. “Endorsement of the area by celebrities can only help to raise the profile of our beautiful county, and inspire others to visit.’’