After a morning spent exploring or walking on frost-covered fells, what could be better than finding a cosy, country pub and settling down next to a blazing fire with a pint and a hearty lunch? With so many lovely pubs on our doorstep, you really are spoilt for choice, but here’s a list of some of the finest pubs Cumbria has to offer:
The Watermill Inn, Ings, near Windermere
Voted UK Beer Pub of the Year 2011 in the Good Pub guide, it’s a real gem of a place for those in search of a quiet drink, in a warm and relaxing atmosphere. It boasts its very own Brewery leaving you spoilt for choice! Don’t worry though, as their style guide, indicating the colour and taste of each beer on offer will help you with your all-important decision. There’s a wide selection of hearty food served daily from 12 noon until 9pm, which will help you warm up during those cold wintry nights. 01539 821309/ www.watermillinn.co.uk
The Drunken Duck Inn, Barngates, Ambleside
A multi award-winning family-owned inn which serves the finest local produce imaginatively prepared and served. The food is complemented by fine local beers, top wines and spirits and a traditional interior with an open fire and Brathay Black slate bar top. The inn site’s within 60 acres of private land high above Lake Windermere, providing a scenic setting for a relaxed lunch. 015394 36347/ www.drunkenduckinn.co.uk
Tower Bank Arms, Near Sawrey
This pub is next door to Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s former home and can be seen in one of the sketches for The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck. This 17th century Lakeland inn offers friendly professional service, quality fresh food and an extensive selection of traditional local ales and organic soft drinks and wines. 015394 36334/ www.towerbankarms.co.uk
Yanwath Gate Inn
Awarded the 2012 Good Pub Guide’s ‘Dining Pub of the Year’ for Cumbria award for the fifth time in six years, their ethos of good quality informal dining has also seen them highly praised at a national level. The Gate Inn, locally known as the ‘Yat’ has an ever growing reputation for great food, using local fresh ingredients from independent Cumbrian producers and suppliers. There is also a beautiful garden and outside seating area making it a place you will want to return to again and again. Cumbria benefits from no less than 16 breweries and this is made good use of at the Gate Inn with at least 3 being represented at any one time. Good quality informal dining with a relaxed and comfortably cosy atmosphere. 01768 862386 / www.yanwathgate.com
Eagle and Child, Staveley
During the cold winter months, where better to enjoy a quiet drink, than in front of a roaring fire? This is exactly what you’ll get if you go to the Eagle and Child, which prides itself on its choice of local ales. Food is also served between 12 and 3 and 6 and 9. Monday to Saturday from 12 to 2.30 they offer lunch for £5, so indulge in some good food for less in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
01539 821320/ www.eaglechildinn.co.uk
The Bitter End, Cockermouth
A welcoming pub complete with its own micro brewery where the whole brew process can be seen through a glazed partition in the pub. With roaring open fires, superb home made meals and fantastic real ales this is a very appealing place to relax.
01900 828993 / www.bitterend.co.uk
