• Alston
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• The Duddon Valley
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• Wasdale
• Wetheral
• Whitehaven
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• Windermere
• Workington
• Spa Hotels In Windermere The Lake District
• Hotels With Hot Tubs In Windermere
• Hot Tub Hotels In Windermere And The Lake District
• Romantic Breaks In Windermere And The Lake District
• Themed Hotels In Windermere And The Lake District
• Weekend Breaks In Windermere
• Windermere Attractions And Boat Trips
• Boutique Hotels And Accommodation In Windermere And The Lake District
• Windermere In The Rain
• One Way Ticket To Windermere Por Favor
• Horse Riding In The Lake District
• Walks In The Lake District
• Windermere Boutique Hotel Bedrooms
• Holiday Accommodation Wanted In The Lake District

Top 20 pubs to visit in the Lake District

If you enjoy country pubs, old inns with real ales and a warm welcome, and hostelries which date back to the time of Dickens, look no further than the Lake District. This region boasts some of the most fascinating pubs in Britain, and our top 20 include:

1.The Punchbowl Inn, Crosthwaite

Voted ´Pub of the Year´ in 2009, by the Michelin Guide, the Punchbowl is one of the most popular pubs in the lakes. With antique furniture, real open fires, and slate floors, the Punchbowl transports you back to the bygone days of the lakes, and also offers a superb range of local cuisine and traditional real ales. Situated in the Lyth Valley, this pub enjoys one of the most scenic locations in the lakes.

2.The Drunken Duck, Ambleside

The Drunken Duck is the sister pub of the Punchbowl, and is situated in Ambleside. Named The Drunken Duck after a landlady in Victorian times found what she thought were dead ducks stretched out in the road. Just as she was about to pluck them she realised they were very much alive and dead drunk, after drinking the beer from a slipped barrel behind the pub. In a fit of conscience, the landlady allowed the ducks to live and even knitted waistcoats for them to wear until their feathers grew back. The Duck bar has wide oak flooring, original old beams and an open fire. Photographs depict local scenes, and the pub is famous for its real ales and delicious local cuisine.

3.The Angel Inn, Bowness

The Angel Inn has a wide and spacious contemporary interior and ample outdoor space where you can enjoy a summer drink. Offering a wide range of European beers and lagers plus real ales and a menu offering local Cumbrian produce, this pub is one of the most popular in the area.

4.Hole in T´Wall, Bowness

This legendary pub was built in 1612, and is situated in the oldest part of Bowness. The pub was given its name when the landlord knocked a hole in the wall, so he could pass pints of ale through to the blacksmiths next door. Stone floors, a beer garden and a fine range of real ales set this pub apart from others in the area.

5.Traveller´s Rest, Grasmere

The 16th Century Traveller´s Rest at Grasmere is 1 mile north of the village, and offers travellers and locals the perfect place to rest, with a range of real ales from Jennings, a beer garden and a great selection of pub meals. Also surrounded by beautiful scenery, if you are in the Grasmere area, stop off at the Traveller´s Rest for some great Cumbrian hospitality.

6.The Black Bull Hotel, Coniston

The Black Bull at Coniston offers a great range of real ales and excellent pub grub. Surrounded by beautiful scenery and close to Coniston Water, make a day of it and have lunch at this famous local pub.

7.The King´s Arms, Hawkshead

The King´s Arms offers a great range of Cumbrian pub fayre, and real ales, including: Hawkshead Bitter and Coniston Bluebird. A small outdoor seating area gets busy in summer, and this welcoming 500 year old pub is situated in Market Square, Hawkshead.

8.The Queen´s Head, Hawkshead

The Queen´s Head in Hawshead is something of a legend in these parts, and this 16th Century village inn has log fires in winter, low-beamed ceilings and flagstone floors. Old fashioned memorabilia includes the famous Girt Clog, which dates back to 1826. This pub is typical of the Lake District, and is popular with visitors and locals alike.

9.The Dog and Gun, Keswick

This busy local pub in Keswick serves a wide range of real ales from the Keswick Brewing Company and Yates Brewery, and offers delicious pub food at very reasonable prices.

10.The Brackenrigg Inn, Ullswater

This traditional 18th Century coaching inn serves excellent food in the bar and restaurant, and offers stunning views over Ullswater. This is a great place to stop off for a quick pint, a bar snack or a three course meal. Well priced, delicious food and a range of real ales.

11.Pooley Bridge Inn, Ullswater

The Pooley Bridge Inn at Ullswater offers a good selection of typical Cumbrian fare, and a wide range of real ales to hungry and thirsty visitors. This is an authentic Lake District pub which is popular with tourists and locals.

12.Ramblers Bar, Ullswater

Perfect for ramblers and locals who enjoy their sport, the Ramblers Bar at Ullswater is a lively pub with large TVs, showing all the major sporting events. The pub also has a pool table, and offers delicious traditional pub food and local real ales.

13.The Brown Horse Inn, Winster, Windermere Lake

The Brown Horse is a whitewashed 19th Century coaching house which is located in the beautiful Winster Valley. Offering a range of local ales and a predominantly British menu, Cumbrian specialities feature throughout.

14.The Eagle and Child, Stavely, Windermere Lake

This traditional Lake District pub has slate floors and period features, and offers a constantly-changing range of real ales to suit all tastes. A riverside beer garden attracts plenty of visitors in summer, and the pub is busy with locals all year round.

15.The Mortal Man, Troutbeck, Windermere Lake

The Mortal Man is a fascinating inn, which was built in the 1689. Offering stunning views over Troutbeck Valley, the inn´s name comes from the verse on the sign of the pub: \"O mortal man that lives by bread, what is it that makes thou nose so red?\" \"Thou silly fool that look´st so pale, Tis drinking Sally Birkett´s ale.\" The pub offers accommodation and excellent local Cumbrian food.

16.The Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite Lake

This traditional inn on the shores of Bassenthwaite was originally a farmhouse, and converted to an inn in during the 18th Century. A traditional period bar offers real ales, and the inn enjoys a great reputation for excellent food.

17.The Mardale Inn, Bampton, Nr.Penrith

The Mardale Inn is a cosy pub, which offers traditional pub means and Cumbrian specialities. Beers are well-kept, and an enormous range of whiskies are on offer. Featuring wooden beams and  open fires, authentic Lake District pub is surrounded by stunning scenery.

18.The Ratty Arms, Ravenglass

The Ratty Arms is situated right next to the main railway station in Ravenglass, and has a loyal following of locals and regular visitors. Cumbrian lamb is a speciality, and guests can choose from a wide range of dishes to suit all tastes. Built in 1873, the Ratty Arms is a former Victorian railway station which was originally built from granite and limestone. Guest beers and real ales feature.

19.The Wasdale Head Inn, Wasdale

The Wasdale Head Inn is one of the most remote spots in the UK. Ritson´s Bar at the inn was name after the first landlord of the inn, Will Ritson, who was something of a legend in these parts. Will was known as a huntsman, a wrestler, a farmer, a fellsman, a guide and a raconteur. The pub now serves real ales and delicious local food. Enjoy a lakeside beer garden in summer and roaring log fires in winter.

20.The Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater

This authentic old Lake District inn has had something of a make-over, and now offers beautiful accommodation, plus excellent food, using local produce and many extras. Well worth a visit.

Whether you want to stop off at a local pub for an hour between walks, or you fancy a good old Lake District pub crawl, you will find plenty of old hostelries and country inns to keep you entertained for hours. Many Lake District pubs date back to the 17th Century and from Windermere to Wasdale and Coniston to Carlisle, you will always be guaranteed a warm welcome.

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