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. Last visit Apr 2008.

Comment - Worth the effort to find this place.

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  beers from Thwaites, Hesket Newmarket and Coniston breweries. (Mar 08)

Comment - Popular eating pub. Give it a try. 

Sample Menu

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. Beers available - Theakstons Best Bitter, Black Sheep bitter, John Smiths smooth and a guest real ale which changes weekly.

Comment - Much improved since a change to a tenancy in June 2007. Food is also excellent - give it a try.
 

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 on our last visit in Feb 2008. 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

This is a real gem of a pub for real ale fans. 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 when I visited in May 2006. 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 visited in April 2006.

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 visited in April 2006.

Comment - Big car park opposite.

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 - The 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.
Cumbria Dining Pub of the Year 2005 award.
Punchbowl website

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 when I visited in April 2006.

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 Timothy Tailor Best 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 excellent - well worth a visit for that special occasion.

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 - The pub has an excellent restaurant which I can personally recommend.
 

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. Last visit Feb 08.

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

Website of - The Outgate Inn

Popular pub on the edge of the village of Lindale. Usually had up to 4 real ales on offer from the Whitbread stable including Boddingtons's bitter, Flowers Original, Castle Eden and Bass but on our last visit (Sep 2005) all the beers were from the Thwaites/Mitchells group. Is there a change of owner I ask myself? 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.

Menu

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 (Jan 2008).

Comment - Foods good too.

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 a guest beer. (Feb 2008). Also gaining awards for its food.

Comment - Another of my favourite pubs.

Visit the Wheatsheaf website

Popular village pub that also serves meals and keeps a good cellar. Beers available - Theakstons Best Bitter, Flowers IPA, plus guest beer - Jennings's Cumberland Ale when we visited (Jun 08). Good range of lagers and Guinness (recommended by landlord) Quiz night - Monday 9:30.

Comment - Small village pub that has retained an "olde worlde" charm.

 

CROWN INN, HIGH NEWTON

Traditional village Inn with stone floors and a roaring fire offering a changing range of real ales. Beers available at our last visit (July 07) were - Theakstons Best bitter and HB, Caledonian Deuchar's IPA, and Timothy Tailors Landlord. Cask smoothflow beers also available.

Comment - recent change of landlord has improved this pub and is popular again with the locals. Award winning Steak Pie is not for the faint hearted.

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 visited in May 2005. 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.

Former railway station converted to a restaurant and bar previously known as the Pot Bellied Pig. then the Dutton Arms. More of a restaurant then a pub but they do have a small separate bar called the Glue Pot with 2 hand pumps serving Lancaster brewery QM and Jennings products. There are also 2 hand pumps in the restaurant area offering Tirrell or Bryson beers.

Comment - Has changed hands again in 2005 and the bar atmosphere and beer quality is now much better. Food is excellent. Last visit Aug 2007.

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 1993-2003
Good Pub Guide - Best Beer Pub in the Country 2006

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 just off the A590 dual carriageway between Levens and Grange. The Derby Arms has suffered from several changes of management in recent years and has lost a lot of its former character. Sadly, building work by the previous management removed the lounge area and the pub now just has the one bar dominated by a pool table. On our last visit (June 04) they had Worthington and Tetley Bitters.

Comment - Re-opened May 04. Unless you like drinking in snooker halls this pub is best visited in summer when you can sit outside.

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 - 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, Jenning’s Bitter, and Timothy Taylor's Landlord plus 2 guest beers which change every barrel. (Squires Original and Copper Dragon on my visit in April 2006)

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 but at £1.30 a pint its a real bargain. Low prices means its very popular with the younger set.

Comment - Checkout their website for details of special events eg curry nights.
Visit The Blue Bell's website

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 (Feb 07) 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.

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 March were Theakstons Best bitter and Black Sheep bitter.

Comment - The Black Sheep was excellent

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.

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 Oct 06. 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 Theakstons and Charles Wells Bombardier (Sep  06). Its also a good place to eat.

Recommended tipple - Theakstons Best Bitter

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. Beers available when we visited in March were:- Tetley bitter, Jennings Cumberland Ale, Boddingtons, Black Sheep bitter and Yates bitter.

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

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.

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.

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 a guest beer.

Comment - Whilst the Scottish background music is not to everyone's taste, 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 07 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 Feb 08.

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.

Situated on the A6 south of Milnthorpe the Kings Arms has recently been extended (2001) and the bar has been moved. When we visited they had Worthington Bitter and Flowers original on draught and in excellent condition. Also popular for food.


Comment - Becoming increasingly popular since the alterations and introduction of good real ale.

Now re-opened in 2003 by a previous owner this hotel is undergoing extensive development which has seen the bar area considerable reduced in size. Clearly aiming at the food market, but they do have three real ale hand pumps on the bar dispensing Archers Bitter, Black Sheep Bitter and their own label bitter at £1.50 a pint when I visited Oct 03. They also have Boddington's on keg.

Comment - Apr 2008 I understand this pub is closed but if you know different please email me.

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. Last visit Dec 2007.

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.

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.
See the 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.

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

Comment - Limited range of beers, all from Robinsons.
Go to the Cross Keys website

Situated on the main street in the village of Kirkby Lonsdale, the Kings Arms is a Jennings house offering a range of real ales from this Cumbrian brewer.

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

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 but when I visited in November only one was in use dispensing Boddington's Bitter. Only one bar with a lounge area on one side and TV/Games area on the other.

Comment - Boddies was good but only one real ale available means a low rating.