The Ship Inn is situated at Sandside on the B5282 between Milnthorpe and Arnside. It has wonderful views over the Kent estuary. The Langdales and Coniston Old Man in the lake district are visible on a clear day. Following failed attempts to turn it into a fine dining restauarnt the Ship Inn reopened in March 2011 as a pub once again and is being run by Ray and Lyn and family. Up to 4 real ales available -  Black Sheep bitter, Lancaster Blonde, Tirrel and the award winning St Austell Tribute.

Pub Grub is also available - sample menu

May 2013 - This pub is now for sale - details available from Colliers International.

Popular village pub that reopened in April 2013 after some refurbishment by the new owners. The pub is now a free house with up to 5 local real ales available. Food is currently restricted to pizzas in the evening pending upgrades/refurbishment of the kitchen.

Comment - Small village pub that has retained an "olde worlde" charm. Good range of real ales, many from local micro breweries. Well worth a visit.

April - Reopened on 9 April 2013 - 4pm - 11pm
 

Situated on the cross roads in Milnthorpe, the Cross Keys offers beers from the Robinson's stable and is popular with those who like a quieter environment then some of the other pubs in the village. It has a large car park at the rear and a function room upstairs which make it a good choice for those of you seeking a venue for a party


Go to the Cross Keys website

Situated on the A6 south of Milnthorpe the Kings Arms boasts a cosy atmosphere with fires at both ends of the lounge/bar area. Another hand pump has been added recently which means 4 real ales are on offer. Everards Beacon ale is the resident beer plus there are 3 guest beers which change weekly - all kept in excellent condition. Recent guest beers include Black Sheep, Hawkshead bitter and Coniston Bluebird. The Kings Arms also offers excellent food at reasonable prices. There is a separate dining room or you can eat in the lounge bar.

Comment - Popular pub which has good real ale at sensible prices and a rarity these days - a landlord that actually drinks what he's selling. Give it a visit.

Hidden away on the north side of the village of Silverdale, the Woodlands Hotel gets the prize for being the hardest to find. A pot holed track leads up to the hotel and on entering you find yourself in a hall with no obvious bar in sight. Take the door on your left into the snooker room and then pass through to the bar. Do not be put off by the pumps on the bar, the real ale is out of sight in the back. A blackboard displays what's available from a changing range of up to 4 guest beers. They also offer their own woody bitter and keg Boddies.

Comment - Worth the effort to find this place and at £2.50 a pint or less (May 2013) it must be one of the cheapest places to drink around. Why not combine a trip here with a visit to the excellent Cinnamon Indian Restaurant and Take Away in the village of Silverdale. See local info for details.

This pub is managed by the same team that run the Strickland Arms so you can expect good food and a selection of real beers. The bar has 6 hand pumps with beers from Hawkshead, Black sheep, Coniston, Tirrel, and Twaites breweries, plus Jollyboys bitter from Cumbria Legendary Brewery. For lager drinkers they have an excellent Hawkshead lager.

Comment -  Good range of well kept beers and excellent dining.

The Derby Arms website

Just off the A6, 2 miles south of Milnthorpe, the Wheatsheaf at Beetham offers a warm welcome and 3 real ales - Jennings Cumberland ale, Thwaites Lancaster Bomber and the excellent Thwaites Wainwright Ale.

Comment - Another of my favourite pubs.

Visit the Wheatsheaf website

Busy pub with a lively atmosphere. The Longlands has a good range of real ales with two resident beers, Theakstons Black Bull and Black Sheep bitter plus two guest beers. Beers on offer are usually in good condition.

Recommended tipple - Black Sheep bitter

Longlands hotel website

Those of you seeking something a bit different will not be disappointed here as this popular pub offers an extensive range of foreign bottled beers and draught lagers. For those seeking real British ale they have 5 hand pumps offering Boddington's bitter, 2 bitters from the local Hawkshead micro brewery, Timothy Tailor Landlord, and Jennings Cumberland when we visited).

Comment - Great views and the Hawkshead bitter is delicious. They also sell a rather nice alcohol free lager for drivers. Foods good too.

Mason's Arms website

Situated just off the A590 dual carriageway at Haverthwaite this pub has 5 real ales in the bar and a further 5 real ales in the lounge giving a choice of up to 10 different beers. They also have an impressive range of lager, cider and bottled beers.

Comment  - Has plenty of outside seating so a great place for a beer in the sun. Working model railway in lounge,

This 400 year old coaching inn is situated at Troutbeck on the A592 from Windermere to Penrith. It has many old features including a converted four poster bed as a bar. Stone flags and oak beams feature strongly. Offers 6 real ales which included Coniston Bluebird and Old Man, Barngates Red Bull, Boddingtons and Jennings Cumberland when I last visited.

Comment - Lakeland coaching inn offering good food and superb real ale.

Website of - The Queen's Head Hotel

Drive up Kirkstone Pass from Ambleside and when you reach the junction with the A592 Windermere - Ullswater Road you will find the Kirkstone Pass Inn. At 1500 feet above sea level it is the highest pub in the Lake District and the third highest in the UK and is 510 years old. The pub has 3 real ale hand pumps and was serving Carlisle Pale Bitter and Moorhouse Black Cat when I last visited.

Comment - Big car park opposite.

Website of the Kirkstone Pass Inn

Just up the hill from Oxenholme station lies the Station Inn which is a child friendly pub with a large eating area and a reputation for good real ale. Real ales currently available - Tirrell Old Faithfull, Flowers Original and Black Sheep bitter.

Comment  - Has an adventure playground for the kids.

Website of Station Inn Oxenholme

If this web site gave ratings for food the Punch Bowl at Crosthwaite would get 10 stars and is thoroughly recommended for those seeking excellent cuisine. It offers 3 good real ales from the local Barngates brewery -Tag-lag, Cat Nap and Westmorland Gold and a guest beer, currently Black Sheep..

Comment - Great place to dine with some good beers available.
Michelin regional dining pub 2008 award.
Punchbowl website

The Bulls Head at Milnthorpe is on the main A6 adjacent to the traffic lights and directly opposite the Cross Keys Hotel. There is parking in the square behind the pub. This pub was closed for a while and has had several changes of landlord but is now open again.

The beers on offer include Black Sheep, St Austell Tribute and Lancaster Blonde. Food is also available.
 

Comment - Currently closed again (May 2013)

Tucked away in the Troutbeck Fells, just up the hill from the Queens Head Hotel, the Mortal Man was first established in 1689. The bar and lounge are quite small but you will find 3 real ale hand pumps here serving beers from Black Sheep and Theakston's.

Recommended tipple - Black Sheep bitter

Website of - The Mortal Man

Situated in the small village of Winster in the Lythe Valley, the Brown Horse has 3 real ales on offer including, Jennings Cumberland Ale, Theakstons Best bitter and Hawkshead bitter. It provides a pleasant atmosphere including a welcoming log fire in winter. The pub has a pleasant restaurant area for food but a bar area has been retained for drinkers.

Comment - Beers were in good condition. The food is usually excellent - well worth a visit for that special occasion.

Website of Brown Horse Winster

Tucked away on the edge of the village of Brigsteer this free house has 2 real ale hand pumps for guest beers which change weekly plus a range of other beers and lager.  The building dates back to the mid 1700's and has been a public house for over 200 years. The bar and restaurant areas were refurbished in 2007.

Comment - Currently closed for refurbishment.
 

Home of the Barngates Brewery, so you would expect a good selection of real ales here and you will not be disappointed. Situated within a few minutes drive of Tarn Hows, Coniston Old Man and the Langdale Pikes, it provides good real ale and food and magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.

Comment - Beers are named after dogs that have lived at the inn.

Website of - The Drunken Duck Inn

Situated on the road from Ambleside to Hawkshead, the 18th Century Outgate Inn lies in the small hamlet of Outgate. It is a Robinson's house so beers on offer all come from the Robinson's stable.

Comment - Live jazz on Friday nights - see website for details.

Popular pub on the edge of the village of Lindale. Usually has up to 4 real ales on offer from the Mitchells group. Is very popular in the summer when trade is boosted by tourists from the Flookburgh and Meathop caravan sites. There is outside seating to the rear of the pub.

Comment  - I've never had a bad pint here says Rob Harvey

The Silverdale Hotel on Shore Road has been refurbished and is worth a visit if in Silverdale. It is just up the road from the estuary where you can drive right down onto the foreshore. The pub offers 2 real ales from Jennings and Tirrel breweries as well as some keg beers. They also do bar food at reasonable prices.

Comment  - Has a good garden area for drinking outside.

Website of the Siverdale Hotel

Situated on the seafront at Arnside, with great views across Morecambe Bay, this recently refurbished and extended pub has an outdoor area at the front which is a good place to sit and watch the world go by on a nice sunny day. The Albion is a Thwaites pub and they have 2 beers on hand pumps plus a couple of frothy offerings for any smooth beer fans.

Comment - Foods good too.

CROWN INN, HIGH NEWTON

The Crown at High Newton is a traditional Lakeland Coaching Inn nestled in the quiet village of High Newton in the southern reaches of the English Lakes. Following extensive refurbishment in July 2010, the Crown Inn has re-opened with the bar and restaurant retaining all the original features of a comfortable hostelry whilst offering locally sourced home cooked food accompanied by a fine wine list and an ever-changing selection of local cask ales. The lower bar area, with its open log fire and carved oak settles, is both relaxed and welcoming.  Well behaved dogs are welcome in this part of the bar and you are welcome to dine here too. The restaurant seats up to 60 people and is available for group and private bookings by prior arrangement. The chef is happy to create special menus to accommodate all your dietary requirements. Accommodation is available with double rooms for two people starting from £65 including breakfast and single rooms starting from £45 including breakfast.

Website - Crown Inn website

This Jacobean pub has some interesting items on display inside and offers a range of 4 real ales. Theakstons Best, Black Sheep bitter, Skipton Breweries Copper Dragon and Tirrel Ale when we last visited. Its also a good place to eat and can offer accommodation if you want to stay in the village.

Comment  Popular with the locals again and beers were in good condition.

Formerly known as Ditto this is not a pub but more of a bistro. Avanti has an eating area upstairs and one of the best "beer gardens" I've seen which must be viewed at night to appreciate the lighting effects, it even has heaters to keep you warm. Only one real ale is available - Bass but this was in excellent condition. Keg Boddingtons is also served

Comment - Well worth a visit for Bass and Groundforce fans.

Avanti website

Situated in the village of Ings near Windermere, this traditional lake district pub offers good food and a constantly changing range of quality real ales from all over the country plus five brewed at the pub.

CAMRA - Westmorland pub of the year 2009 and many other awards

Comment - With up to 16 different beers available the Watermill Inn has something for everyone - Highly recommended .

Visit Watermill Inn's website

Situated in the village of Staveley, half way between Kendal and Windermere, this country inn boasts four hand pumps and an ever changing range of real ales mainly from local brewers. On our last visit they had Yates bitter, Coniston Bluebird, Black Sheep bitter and Barngates Catnap all in excellent condition. The inn has riverside gardens and offers food and accommodation.

Comment - Has an interesting collection of truncheons hanging next to the bar, troublemakers beware!

Visit Eagle and Child Inn's website

On the A590 near Levens this Robinson's owned hotel offers three real ales, Robinsons Unicorn (renamed Best Bitter) HB and Cumbria Way. For the smoothflow fans the Robinsons is also available in a frothy version.

Comment - Decent pint of Robinsons.

Situated close to Sizergh Castle, the Strickland Arms has re-opened after a prolonged period of closure and extensive alterations which have transformed the interior. The pub has four hand pumps for real ale with a changing range of beers from Thwaites, Hesket Newmarket, Hawkshead, Tirrel and Coniston breweries.

Comment - A very popular pub with a good range of beers and excellent food. Quiz night Wednesday 9:30.

Sample Menu

Website of the Strickland Arms

Situated at the foot of Coniston Old Man, the Black Bull also plays host to the Coniston Brewing Company, brewers of award winning ales such as Coniston Bluebird. As you would expect, a good selection of beers in tip top condition.

Comment - Plenty of outside seating to sit and watch the world go by.

Website of - Coniston Brewery

Website of - The Black Bull Hotel

Set in the heart of the Lake District near the Langdales, this 400 year old inn is very popular all year round and rightly so. As well as a good selection of food it offers 5 real ales which included resident beers - Coniston Bluebird, Jennings Bitter, and Timothy Taylor's Landlord plus 2 guest beers which change every barrel.

Comment - You may just loose the will to go for that walk if you pop in here first.

Website of - The Britannia Inn

On Elleray Road, just off the main A591, this large country house hotel offers a good selection of real ales and is away from the hustle and bustle of Bowness.

Comment - Small car park so you may need to search around for parking. Bus stop nearby.

The Grey Walls and Greys Inn Website

A former vicarage and school dormitory, the Blue Bell is owned by Samuel Smiths Tadcaster brewery. Sadly, only Sam Smith's products are available. Although the bar has 2 hand pumps they both serve the unremarkable Old Brewery Bitter at bargain prices. Low prices means its very popular with the younger set.

Comment - Checkout their website for details of special events eg curry nights.

Traditional lakeland inn with stone floors and open fires in winter. Situated in the small village of Crook between Kendal and Bowness the Sun Inn also has a good reputation for food. Beers available on our last visit were Theakston's Best Bitter, Coniston Bluebird and Courage Directors.

Comment - Well worth a trip out for a meal and a few decent pints. The wine list is good too!

The Golden Rule was famous for the quality of its Hartley's bitter when it came in wooden barrels from Ulverston. Now sells a range of Robinson's beers including Robinson's Best, Hartley's XB, Frederic's, Stockport Arches and Hatters Mild. A Lake District favourite.

Comment - Robinson fans will find a range of good quality beers here.

Golden rule website

On the A683 between Lancaster and Kirkby Lonsdale. This pub has recently changed hands and has undergone extensive refurbishment including a repositioned bar and exposure of the stone and wood floors. The bar area is reserved for drinkers (no food) and there is a large dining area. Beers available when we visited in Dec 09 were Timothy Taylor Best bitter and Black Sheep bitter.

Comment - The beer and food were both excellent.

The Lunesdale website

Situated near the centre of the village, the Queens Hotel is making a real effort to attract customers by offering two real ales and two guest beers. In Nov 2006 they had Jennings Bitter and Yate's Bitter along with Coniston Bluebird and Hawkshead bitter. Very popular with the local real ale fans.

Comment - Try and catch the Yates spring fever next time its on.

Queens hotel ambleside website

Popular village pub in the heart of this lake district village. Offering beers from Theakstons (Best bitter and HB) and Youngers when I called in. One of the 4 handpumps was out of action so they may offer something else as well.

Comment - Another very popular Ambleside pub.

Kirkby Lonsdale is ideal for a nights pub crawling as it has several pubs offering a wide variety of good beer. One of our favourites is the Orange Tree which has well kept beer from Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery. Its also a good place to eat.

Recommended tipple - Ruskins Bitter

Website of the Orange Tree Hotel

Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery

Traditional Lakeland village pub which has an interesting decor and up to 6 real ales available. The walls and beamed ceiling are adorned with old tools and implements, stuffed animals, horse brasses and a collection of mugs. Many of the beers on offer are brewed in Cumbria so its well worth a visit. The food is good too.

Comment - Fans of taxidermy will love this place and real ale hunters will not be disappointed. Try the Black Sheep or Ennerdale Blond bitter.

Website of the White Hart at Bouth

Popular 16th century coaching inn situated next to the canal in Hest Bank village between Bolton le Sands and Morecambe. Gaining a reputation for good food and real ale. Normally has up to 4 real ales available. On offer in July 07 were Timothy Tailor's Landlord, Green King Abbot Ale, Boddingtons Cask Bitter plus J Smith smooth and Tetley mild

Comment - Great location and excellent quality beer.

Just round the corner from the Golden Rule the Unicorn with its beamed ceiling and horse brasses is a popular venue for jazz music. It sells a range of real ale from Robinson's. On offer when we visited in April were Old Stockport bitter, Stockport Arches bitter, Hartleys and Frederic's.

Comment - Another good lake district venue for Robinsons fans.

More info

Pub near the centre of the village which has become less popular with real ale fans lately. Has several real ales on offer including Theakstons, Timothy Taylor Best and Black Sheep bitter. It also has a bistro area for food.

Recommended tipple - Black sheep bitter.

Sun Inn website

This 18th century coaching inn is renowned for its food but also serves some good real ales. It keeps Theakstons best bitter but also offers 2 guest beers - Corby Ale and Tirrel on my last visit (Apr 13).

Comment - The beer is good and the food even better.

Pheasant Inn website

Situated on the A65 2 miles east of the village of Kirkby Lonsdale. This popular hotel often has live entertainment in the bar and offers some good real ales. It has a caravan site alongside so you can bring your own bed and make a weekend of it

Recommended tipple - Theakstons Bitter.

Whoop Hall website

Popular village pub with entertainment on Friday nights and complementary chips on the bar when we visited in early May. A Mitchell's pub that now offers Caledonian - Flying Scotsman and Tetley bitter. Boddingtons Keg is also available.

Comment - Worth a visit now that Mitchells is no longer brewed.

This 16th century inn knows something about keeping good real ale as until recently it produced its own beer. It also has a good reputation for food and also has rooms available for a longer stay. When we visited in Dec they had Charles Wells Bombardier, Theakston's Best and Jennings Cumberland Ale, all of which were in excellent condition.

Comment - Beer quality is good.

Cavendish Arms, Cartmel

Situated in the square, this popular pub offers a good range of up to 4 real ales from local brewers such as Hawkshead and Barngates. Those sampled were in excellent condition when I visited.

Comment - Real ale fans are in for a treat here and the food is good as well.

This pub in the village of Underbarrow near Kendal has beamed ceilings and a welcoming fire if you visit in winter. It offers 3 real ales - Jennings Cumberland, Thwaites Traditional and Black Sheep bitter.

Comment - Beers are in good condition and reasonably priced.

Traditional lakeland village pub offering a good range of 3 locally produced beers and good food. Real ales sourced from Tirrel, Hesket Newmarket and Ulverston breweries.

Hare and Hounds website

On the seafront in Arnside, this Thwaites pub only offers Thwaites products which means only one real ale plus the frothy variety for the smoothy fans. Popular with the tourists in summer and now enjoying increased popularity with the locals.

Comment - Great view over the estuary from the beer garden. Live entertainment on Saturday nights.

This 17th Century Inn is the first of 3 pubs you come across if entering the village of Hawkshead on foot from the main car park. It has 4 hand pumps offering real ales from local brewers such as Barngates, Hawkshead and Jennings.

Comment - Try the Hawkshead and Barngates bitters

Sun Inn Hawkshead - Website

In the centre of the village you will find the 2nd of 3 pubs all serving real Ale. This is a delightful 16th century pub focusing primarily on providing good food. All the beers here are by Robinson's so you will not find any local brews on any of the 4 hand pumps.

Comment - This pub was standing when Wordsworth was a lad.

Website of - Queen's Head Hotel Hawkshead

In the centre of Hawkshead in the market square, you will find the 3rd of 3 pubs in the village. The Kings Arms is a typical small Lakeland hotel. It is 500 years old and features oak beams and an open fire. It has 2 hand pumps serving real ale from local producers and further afield.

Comment - You will need to walk to this pub as no cars are allowed into the village.

Kings Arms website

Its quite rare these days to get a totally new pub but on the Canal side in Carnforth is a little gem. Opened in summer 2001 this pub was formerly a cottage and has been tastefully converted. What's more it has six real ales on offer including; Moorlands-Old Speckled Hen, Black Sheep bitter, Bass, Hancocks HB, Cask Worthington IPA and Greene King Abbot Ale.

Comment - Great place to watch the boats and decent beer on offer.

Canal Turn website

OK, the Marton Arms is over the border in Yorkshire but it is well worth a visit. The bar has 16 hand pumps and offers an ever changing range of real ales from all over the country. Whiskey drinkers will not be disappointed either as there are over 200 different ones available. The pub has letting rooms and provides good bar food. It is very popular with cave dwellers and pot holers

Comment - Paradise for real ale fans.

Marton Arms website

The White Lion is a large hotel in the centre of the village offering a good choice of beer including 2 real ales - Worthington Bitter and Draught Bass which were in good condition. Has spacious dining areas so its a good place to eat as well.

Comment - Recommended for Bass lovers

On the main street in Burton, this pub is once again very popular. When I visited in Mar 07 they had 5 cask conditioned beers on offer plus Jennings Mild. All were in good condition and reasonably priced.

Comment - Well worth a visit for real ale fans.

Kings Arms website

Situated on the main street in the village of Kirkby Lonsdale, the Kings Arms is a Scottish and Newcastle house offering Theakston's Best bitter as its only real ale along with Theakston's dark smooth Keg and John smiths keg.

Comment - Another one to try on a pub crawl through Kirkby Lonsdale.

Kings Arms Hotel website

Yealand Conyers lies just off the A6 between Carnforth and Milnthorpe. This ivy covered pub has undergone a number of landlord changes in recent years but continues to offer good food and a range of real ales from Robinson's.

Comment - Has a separate dining room for those seeking a more formal eating experience.

Offering a TV in the bar and a Disco to 1am this popular inn belongs to Thwaites and in common with other Thwaites houses only offers real ale from its own brewery. Fine if you are a fan of Thwaites products.

Comment - Handy if you want to catch the big match while on holiday.

On the A65 3 miles South of Kendal, this pub offers Theakstons beers plus a guest beer from a range which changes weekly.

Comment - Also a popular place to eat.

Punchbowl website

Former Mitchells pub which has 3 hand pumps on the bar dispensing beers from Everards and Hawkshead breweries.

Comment - Better range of beers on offer since Mitchells stopped brewing.