Hawkshead - The Kings Arms

The Kings Arms has been around since the 16th century, serving real ale to locals and visitors alike. Those old oak beams are real, not modern fashion accessories. This village pub still carries on the time-honoured tradition of good company in the public bar in traditional surroundings. The beer, naturally, is real ale and the food is delightfully prepared and serviced from local produce. There's a wide variety on the menu with a daily special. The accommodation is of the highest standard yet it's been installed without sacrificing the antique charm of this venerable establishment. If all the rooms are booked, you might be able to rent one of the owner's charming country cottages.
The Kings Arms, Hawkshead, LA22 0NZ
Web: www.kingsarmshawkshead.co.uk  Phone: 015394 36372

Hawkshead - The Red Lion

The Kings Arms is a traditional 15th century Inn, attractively situated in the centre of Hawkshead and serving fine ales and superb food in a beautiful building with many ancient features. However, the guest accommodation has been most tastefully updated and the owners pride themselves on their attention to detail.

If you're thinking of a romantic break, or considering whether to hold your wedding ceremony in the Lakes, this could be a perfect venue: the village church is just across the road from the pub, and the surrounding countryside is delightful. This is a quiet corner of the Lakes, but Bowness, Windermere, Ambleside, Coniston and Grasmere are all within easy reach - though you may not want to leave the village, because there are plenty of superb walks which start in Hawkshead village itself.

 The Kings Arms, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0NZ
Web: www.redlionhawkshead.co.uk  Phone: 015394 36372

Bowness - The Mariners

This 19th century inn is built in traditional Lakeland stone and retains its period charm despite having been renovated to the highest standards of modern comfort. All rooms are en-suite and well equipped with modern facilities. The bars carry a fine selection of real ales from the Jennings range. The particular speciality of this house is live music in the The Coxwain's Cabin bar, every Friday and Saturday from March to December, with a late night licence. If you are fans of Jazz, Blues and Country and Western, as we are, don't miss it.
The Mariners, Lake Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3AP
Web: www.mariners-inn.co.uk   Email: steve@mariners-inn.co.uk 
Phone: 015394 45678     Fax: 015394 44078

Winster, near Bowness - The Brown Horse

Everyone loves Bowness, but sometimes the crowds in this popular little town leave one wishing for the peace and quiet of the Lakes countryside. And if that includes you, well, have we got an answer for you! We discovered the Brown Horse a few years ago, and it's been a favourite watering hole of ours ever since.
The traditional English pub feel, with open fires and low beamed ceilings, great hospitality and fine ales, has been preserved even as the bedrooms have been beautifully refurbished with ensuite facilities.
It was built in the mid 19th century although there is evidence that an earlier hostelry existed on the same site. As I mentioned above, the Brown Horse has recently been fully refurbished to a high standard without the changes encroaching on its period charm. The bar and restaurant still boast the original beamed ceilings while the log fires supplement the central heating. All rooms are  tastefully furnished and fully equipped with the latest bathroom fittings. The relaxed public bar is noted for high quality, hand pumped real ales. The restaurant's menu of local and international cuisine with its extensive wine list offers an alternative to the bar lounge meals with a daily special. Both menus are well prepared and served and rely largely on fresh local produce.
The great thing about the Brown Horse is that it combines the informality (and price!) of an inn or pub with the classy cuisine and superb setting of a more expensive (and perhaps pretentious) hotel. Highly recommended as a base to stay, but book early because they soon get filled up.
The Brown Horse, Winster, LA23 3NR, (between Bowness and Crosthwaite on the A5074 - it's five minutes from Bowness, but a world away!)
Web: www.thebrownhorseinn.co.uk   Phone: 015394 43443

Little Langdale, near Ambleside - The Three Shires Inn

The Three Shires Inn, a charming Lakeland slate tavern, was built in the 19th century, in the Little Langdale valley, at the boundary of the old counties of Lancashire, Cumberland and Westmorland. The building has been tastefully transformed to provide modern en-suite accommodation while still maintaining the traditional style. The Walkers' Bar is traditionally furnished and has a log fire and a floor of Lakeland slate. As well as the local real ales, there is an interesting collection of fine old malts. The restaurant's wine list is extensive and reliable, and the menu is excellent, thanks to the personal service of the genial proprietor Mr Stevenson. One notable feature of the establishment is the hotel verandas which in summer are copiously bedecked with flowers and afford an exceptional view of the rugged scenery.
The Inn is in Little Langdale, and it's best to see their website for details of how to get there.
The Three Shires Inn, Little Langdale, near Ambleside, LA22 9NZ
Web: www.threeshiresinn.co.uk   Phone: 015394 37215

Grasmere - The Traveller's Rest Inn

The Traveller's Rest Inn, a former stagecoach post, dating from the 16th century, has been tastefully transformed into a stylish yet comfortable pub, featuring modern accommodation without compromising the inn's original character. The pub bar features the original oak beams, inglenooks and an open log-burning fireplace. The beer garden affords a panoramic vista of the local surrounds. The outstanding feature of the pub is the quality of the food and drink. The restaurant boasts a comprehensive menu of local and international dishes, all of which are superbly presented. The wine list is extensive and well chosen, and there are some impressive real ales in the bar, along with a selection of fine old malts. If you're touring around Grasmere, The Traveller's Rest is a great place to stay! On the road from Grasmere to Keswick, North of Grasmere.
The Traveller's Rest Inn, Grasmere, LA22 9RR
Phone: 015394 35604    Web: www.lakedistrictinns.co.uk/travellersrest

Western Lakes Pubs With Rooms and Inns

Wasdale - The Bridge Inn

The Bridge Inn, a former stage coach post, has been tastefully transformed into a stylish yet comfortable pub, in the rugged surroundings of the western lakes. The pub fare is excellent and the Jennings ale is superbly maintained at its optimum condition. The accommodation is good and affordable and the whole ambiance is a credit to the genial hosts, Lesley and John, who offer a old-fashioned welcome in the tradition of Lakeland hospitality. Visitors travelling in November should not miss The Biggest Liar in the World competition which is hosted at the Bridge Inn. If you are visiting this forgotten part of the Lakes, then the Bridge Inn comes highly recommended.
The Bridge Inn, Santon Bridge, near Wasdale, CA19 1UX
Phone: 019467  26221      Fax: 019467  26026 Web: www.santonbridgeinn.com

North Lakes Pubs With Rooms and Inns

Ullswater - The Brackenrigg Inn

This 18th century coaching inn, tastefully refurbished to afford modern comforts, offers a stupendous view of the lake and surrounding fells. If The Brackenrigg were any closer to the lake, you'd get your feet wet! The crowning glory of this hostelry is its food, offering a fine range of local and international cuisine. If you want to give your taste buds a treat, this is the place for you. On our first visit, we had planned to stay for a day but extended our stay for another three days on account of the quality of the menu. In addition there's a good wine list and a selection of local real ales to enjoy.
Another thing we appreciate about the Brackenrigg is that we can work off all that sumptuous food with a spot of activity next day - right on the doorstep. There's all the North Lakes mountains close at hand, of course, and you can read more about them on the walks page, but in addition the hotel's website lists about 12 different activities you can enjoy nearby. They'll help you arrange horse riding, fishing, cycling, quad biking, canoeing, and much more, and they even have a secure cycle store if you're on a cycling tour. And the great thing about all this is that they are so willing to help; there's a real sense of hospitality and friendliness about this pub which is so welcoming we've been there four times now.
The accommodation offered varies from suites with four poster beds and luxury facilities, to low-cost standard en suite rooms. The bar, lounge and dining room are cosy, the relaxed bar features an open fire and a dart board, and the terrace affords a fine view of the lake. The proprietors are welcoming and are well versed in local knowledge. Overall, a good place to stay if you can take the chance that you won't be trapped there forever by the quality of the food!
The Brackenrigg Inn, Watermillock, Ullswater CA11 0LP (1 mile south of Pooley Bridge on the A592).
Web: www.brackenrigginn.co.uk  Phone: 017684 86206    Fax: 017684 86945

Keswick - Sweeney's Bar

Sweeney's Bar, a subtle combination of bar, restaurant and hotel, can be found in the heart of Keswick town, the perfect base for touring the northern lakes. The accommodation is stylish and modern, bordering on the opulent, but without the lavish vulgarity associated with modern "American style" hotels. This is modern design at its very best. The bar and restaurant have an extensive quality wine list complemented by a selection of real ales and continental beverages. The restaurant's a la carte menu of local and international cuisine features daily specials created by the experienced chef. Free parking is offered to all residents. Overall, we think Sweeney's provides the perfect pied-a-terre for touring the Lakes!
Sweeney's Bar, 18-20 Lake Road, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5BX
For accommodation reservations and enquiries: 0500 600 725
For restaurant reservations and enquiries: 017687 72990
Fax: 017687 72309
Web: www. lakedistrictinns.co.uk/sweeneys.html  Email: stay@lakedistrictinns.co.uk