Fat Badgers Guide to Quality Inns. The original Guide Listing the very best inns serving good food, wine, beer, ales and hospitality

Cumbria

Click the map for tourism ideas Cumbria is probably England's most picturesque county. The majority of the county is made up of the Lake District, a region of high peaks and picturesque lakes carved out by glaciers some 10,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. Wordsworth and his companions popularised a taste for nature's wilder manifestations, and soon the Lake District became a popular destination for artists and writers looking for inspiration among the crags, mountain passes, waterfalls, and lakes. Today, the popularity of Lake Windermere, Kendal, and Grasmere, as well as Beatrix Potter's house near Sawrey can be found among some of England's highest peaks.

	Badger Bar

	Rydal, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9LR. Tel: 015394 34500
	17th Century hotel located at the end of Rydal Water in the heart of the Lake District.Home cooked meals made from seasonal and locally sourced produce and a range of local real ales.
	Bay Horse Inn

	Canal Foot, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 9EL. Tel: 01229 583972
	17th Century coaching inn which used to service the stagecoaches that crossed Morecambe Bay sands. Located close to the stretch of canal which is just 2 miles long, connecting Ulverston to the sea and where a warm welcome is assured along with great food and cask ales.
	Black Bull Hotel

	Yewdale Road, Coniston, Cumbria LA21 8DU. Tel: 015394 41668
	The Black Bull Hotel in the centre of Coniston is home to the micro-brewery of the Coniston Brewing Company. Built in the 16th century, the foot of Coniston Old Man intrudes into the wall of the guest's dining room. Fine ales, such as the award-winning Bluebird Bitter, Coniston Old Man and Opium bitter are brewed on the premises. The Black Bull hotel boasts a large restaurant facility serving excellent food.
	Bridge Inn

	, Santon Bridge, Cumbria CA19 1UX. Tel: 019467 26221
	The Bridge Inn is situated in a tranquil setting on the bank of the River Irt at Santon Bridge. Accommodation is available, along with fine fare. An imaginative menu is available, including 'Curry Night', every Thursday. Jennings beers are always available along with guest ales.
	Britannia Inn

	Elterwater, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9HP. Tel: 015394 37210
	Popular traditional inn overlooking the village green, in the unspoilt village of Elterwater. Good quality cask ales are served along with an excellent food menu.
	Brook House Inn

	Boot, Eskdale, Cumbria CA19 1TG. Tel: 019467 23288
	Excellent inn situated in the heart of the lake district, in the beautiful, unspoilt valley of Eskdale with welcoming and friendly staff, good beer and excellent resonably priced food and a vast range of single malt whisky's. Close to Hardnott Pass and Wrynose pass and the ideal base to explore the spectacular unspoilt western fells and valleys.
	Brown Horse Inn

	Winster, Nr Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3NR. Tel: 015394 43443
	Excellent inn overlooking the fields and just 15 minutes from Bowness-on-Windermere. Good food and local ales.
	Drunken Duck Inn

	Barn Gates, Hawkshead, Cumbria LA22 0NG. Tel: 015394 36347
	Award winning 16th Century inn set in 60 acres of grounds and rightly so. The Drunken Duck brews it's own ales and has an interesting story about the origin of the inn's name. Along with their own excellent ales, they serve great quality food and are located surrounded by stunning scenery.
	Eagle & Child

	Kendal Road, Staveley, Cumbria LA8 9LP. Tel: 01539 821320
	Just 4 miles from Windermere the Eagle & Child can be found in the village of Staveley off the A591 bypass. The Eagle serves some great well kept ales along with wholesome home cooked food.
	Gate Inn

	Yanwath, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2LF. Tel: 01768 862386
	Dating back to 1683 the grade II listed Gate is a delightful stone inn serving excellent real ales and good food just a couple of miles from the M6.
	Golden Rule

	Smithy Brow, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9AS. Tel: 015394 32257
	The Golden Rule is a popular place for locals and visitors who flock to enjoy good the old English atmosphere of a basic 'boozer' where conversation is the order of the day. If you just want a 'cob and a pint', then the Golden Rule is to visit the 'Golden Rule' !
	Hare & Hounds

	Bowland Bridge, Grange-Over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6NN. Tel: 015395 68333
	Lovely Lakeland pub. Good range of beers, excellent quality food and super-friendly staff.
	Horse & Farrier

	Threlkeld, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5BT. Tel: 017687 79688
	17th century inn serving award winning food along with good ales and a warm welcome. Located below the dramatic ridges of Blencathra with Skiddaw close by. The Horse & Farrier is easily reached on the A66 from the M6 motorway.
	Kings Arms

	Bowness On_Solway, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 5AF. Tel: 016973 51426
	The Kings Arms is part of a World Heriatge Site as the Frontier of the Roman Empire and start of Hadrian's Wall. The Kings Arms serves home cooked food and good ales.
	Kirkstile Inn

	, Loweswater, Cumbria CA13 0RU. Tel: 01900 85219
	Traditional Lake District inn serving great food and ales, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and just a 20 minute walk to either Loweswater or Crummock Water depending on which way you turn out of the front door.
	Kirkstone Pass Inn

	Kirkstone Pass, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9LQ. Tel: 015394 33624
	Extremely well known inn situated at 1500 feet on the A592 between Ullswater and Windermere. The views are spectacular and the inn is believed to be the third highest in England.
	Langstrath Country Inn

	Stonethwaite, Borrowdale, Cumbria CA12 5XG. Tel: 017687 77239
	Small local family run inn located in the Langstrath valley, in the quiet village of Stonethwaite. Originally a miners cottage, built around 1590.
	Masons Arms

	Strawberry Bank, Cartmel Fell, Grange-Over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6NW. Tel: 015395 68486
	Grade II listed Lakeland coaching inn, with stone floors. A converted farmhouse which boasts a traditional English bar, a collection of more than 250 bottled beers - plus its own brews - and a magnificent array of food, much of it vegetarian.
	Mortal Man

	Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1PL. Tel: 015394 33193
	Excellent 300 year old inn for those wishing to explore the Lake District National Park. Superb Food and excellent cask ales.
	New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel

	Great Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9JY. Tel: 015394 37213
	Built on the site of a medieval settlement with breathtaking views The New Dungeon Ghyll has a good reputation for its food cask ales
	Old Crown

	Hesket Newmarket, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 8JG. Tel: 016974 78288
	Britain's first co-operatively owned pub owned by 150 locals and friends. Good quality food and excellent ales located from the brewery next door.
	Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel

	Great Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9JY. Tel: 015394 37272
	Originally a farm and an Inn at the foot of the Langdale Pikes, the Old hotel, located a little further along the B5343 from the New Hotel, is renowned for the quality of it's ales although the food is good as well. Both are located amongst some of Britain's most magnificent scenery and close to Dungeon Ghyll Waterfall.
	Punch Bowl Inn

	, Crosthwaite, Cumbria LA8 8HR. Tel: 01539 568237
	17th Century village inn between Kendal and Windermere with many low beamed rooms and a balcony. Real ales and an excellent wine list compliment the excellent menu.
	Queens Head Hotel

	, Hawkshead, Cumbria LA22 0HS. Tel: 015394 36271
	Half timbered 16th Century hotel located in the delightful car free village of Hawkshead. Very popular with tourists for the cask ales and excellent quality food.
	Queens Head Inn

	Tirril, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2JF. Tel: 01768 863219
	Old English inn formally owned by William Wordsworth' s older Brother and dating from 1719 serving an excellent range of home brewed real ales and good food.

	Royal Oak Inn

	Bongate, Appleby-In-Westmorland, Cumbria CA16 6UN. Tel: 017683 51463
	Traditional wooden panelled rooms with excellent food and a wide range of ale.
	Screes Hotel

	Nether Wasdale, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1ET. Tel: 019467 26262
	17th Century inn situated in a quiet valley amid majestic mountain scenery. A former Temperance House after the local vicar in the 1800s revoked its license due to drunkeness. Renowned by walkers and climbers for the excellent ales and good food.
	Snooty Fox

	Main Street, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria LA6 2AH. Tel: 015242 71308
	Very Popular Jacobean town centre coaching inn with two bars and unusual memorabilia. Located close to the Lancashire border the Snooty Fox serves great food, lunchtimes and evenings and is renowned for its atmosphere and friendly service.
	Strickland Arms

	Great Strickland, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 3DF. Tel: 01931 712238
	Excellent stone inn less than a mile from the M6 although you can't get on it there. The Strickland serves good home cooked food and real ales with some intereting accommodation to boot.
	The Swan

	Keswick Road, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9RF. Tel: 015394 35551
	Delightful inn dating back to 1650 with a wonderful history. Frequented by Sir Walter Scott and William Wordsworth, the Swan is still home to Wordsworth's 18th century chair.
	Three Shires Inn

	, Little Langdale, Cumbria LA22 9NZ. Tel: 015394 37215
	The Three Shires Inn in the small village of Little Langdale lies in the shadow of Lingmoor Fell. The inn was built in 1872, near the meeting point of the old county shires of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire. Accommodation is available on a B&B, or Half-board basis. Excellent food is served in the restaurant along with fine ales. Jennings ales are always available.
	Tower Bank Arms

	, Near Sawrey, Cumbria LA22 0LF. Tel: 015394 36334
	The Tower Bank Arms is juxtaposed next to Beatrix Potter's family home, Hill Top (National Trust) in the picturesque village of Near Sawrey on the B5285 road from the Windermere ferry. A traditionally inspired menu is on offer, along with fine ales. Accommodation is also available.
	Travellers Rest Inn

	, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9RR. Tel: 015394 35604
	16th Century former coaching inn with oak beams, inglenooks, excellent real ales, fine wines and great home cooking. Located in the shadow of Helvellyn in the wonderful village of Grasmere
	Tweedies Bar

	Red Bank Road, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9SW. Tel: 015394 35300
	Tweedies is located at the rear of the Lodge Hotel in the heart of Grasmere - 'the loveliest spot that man hath ever found'. Mr Wordworth wasn't wrong, Tweedies serves great food and superb local ales in a stunningly beautiful part of the world.
	Wasdale Head Inn

	, Wasdale Head, Cumbria CA20 1EX. Tel: 01282 26229
	What a magnificent find when you've just walked over the top of England's tallest mountain. Stunning views of Sca Fell and Great Gable and adjacent to England's deepest lake Wastwater. Great food and a superb pint or two of Theakstons' Old Peculiar.
	Watermill Inn

	Ings, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9PY. Tel: 01539 821309
	Very popular ivy-covered stone inn just 3 miles from lake Windermere in the superb surroundings of the Lake District. A huge range of cask conditioned ales and a cellar that can be viewed through a cartwheel window. The landlord is very friendly, the pub cosy and the food is just as good as the beer.
	Woolpack Inn

	Near Boot, Eskdale Valley, Cumbria CA19 1TH. Tel: 019467 23230
	The Woolpack Inn offers budget price and standard price accommodation in heart of the beautiful Eskdale valley. An excellent menu, with clear Mediterranean influence, is on offer, along with top quality ales from the Coniston Brewing Company and guest ales such as Timothy Taylor's Landlord.