Cumbria has some of the United Kingdom’s most spectacular natural scenery, from the coastline to the Lake District, and all the way to Scotland, there are barren hills and heathery dales, and meres and peaks and pikes and spikes, and great swathes of green. This sort of setting demands a-tramping over, or a sailing on, or a cycling through, or exploration of some form or another, and on this sort of holiday our Guru’s are really partial to the traditional charms of a quintessential British inn, or pub with rooms. For a comfortable night’s sleep, hearty fare, a great atmosphere and a genuine welcome our recommendations for Cumbria’s best pubs with rooms are hard to beat. And some of them have incredible views as well.
In the Lake District
- The Masons Arms is a charming, Lake District inn, built in the 17th century, and positioned with a view over the quiet Winster Valley, only three miles from Lake Windermere. The Masons Arms has all the charms you want to find in a country pub, low-beamed ceilings, flagged floors, open fires, cosy snugs, and a wonderful terrace. Upstairs there’s a dining room, but you can also eat in the lively pub. The seven bedrooms are in converted outbuildings and cottages, the cottages being self-catering. They’re not fancy, but they all have access to their own patios.
- The Drunken Duck Inn is at a cross-roads, seemingly miles from anywhere, surrounded by incredible views of the fells in all directions… but it’s actually only ten minutes from busy Ambleside and Lake Windermere. It looks like a typical country inn from the outside, but inside it’s far more chic, with carefully chosen prints, and rugs, a slate-topped bar and wood-burning stoves. And the food is really excellent. Upstairs there are 13 rooms, all decorated with their own style, but all dotted with vintage objets, in amongst the contemporary country style.
- The Queen's Head, Askham is a classic village green pub, in picture perfect Askham, the kind of place with tables out the front overlooking the green and the handsome cottages surrounding it, and a snug collection of rooms, fires and oak beams inside. The Queen’s Head dates from the 17th century, but its six rooms have been smartened up with plaid carpets, wallpapers and a mix of antiques and simple wooden furniture. The food is a lot better than you’re probably expecting it to be too.
For a waterside location
- The Crown Inn at Pooley Bridge is a charming, 17th century coaching inn in a pretty little village on the edge of Ullswater Lake — so you’re right in the heart of the Lake District here. It looks big from the outside, but there are only 17 rooms, so you definitely need to book this one in advance, because the location, complete with waterside beer garden, and the food, make it a very popular inn. There’s a terrace and beer garden, plus bar and restaurant indoors, with lots of nooks and crannies that make it feel cosy and buzzy, and there’s a great menu, plus cask ales and cocktails.
- The King's Head is a centuries old pub sitting right on the water in the charming village of Ravenstonedale. On the outside it’s whitewashed and boxy, and on the inside there are flagstone floors and open fireplaces, but upstairs, in the six guest rooms, the walls and floor have been evened off and it feels fresh and contemporary. It’s got a great restaurant, it’s affordable, and makes a great base for exploring the Lake District.
For foodies
- Pentonbridge Inn in Penton, is a modern, foodie take on the traditional coaching inn, with level wood floors, recently cleaned exposed stone, and perfectly smooth and mitred walls. But still the layout and feel of a more traditional inn, and certainly the look of one from the outside. And in amongst the velvet and tweed armchairs and wood-burning stoves there’s an excellent menu, care of a couple of chefs who come from London’s Berkeley Hotel two Michelin-star restaurant. There are just nine rooms, and it’s in an out of the way spot just walk a mile from Scotland, surrounded by hill views.
- The George and Dragon was built as a coaching inn in the 18th century, and sits on the Lowther family estate, close to Ullswater and Keswick. And close to the family seat at Askham Hall, which is now a restaurant with rooms, feeding great menus, staff and produce to its little sibling, The George and Dragon. There are 11 rooms upstairs, decorated in a smart, contemporary country style, with some well chosen antiques and vintage furnishings, and including some good family-sized rooms too.
For Walkers
- The Wasdale Head Inn is very well known to climbers and walkers because of its spectacular location just below Scafell Pike. So the views are second to none. The food is excellent too, hearty enough to fuel the climbers and walkers who stay here, and served in a cosy, wood-panelled dining room, or in the cheerful pub, to give that extra warmth. The rooms are simple and comfortable. And it’s very affordable.
- The Queen's Head is a Lake District landmark, in a wonderful position overlooking the Troutbeck Valley and Windermere. Its ten bedrooms are far nicer than you would expect to find in a pub, with light oak floors and furnishings, and fabrics in muted shades of the Lake District. Everywhere the beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls remind visitors this is a proper old inn. And the food is good and unpretentious. Popular with walkers.
- The Royal Oak occupies a plum position in the centre of Keswick, one of the Lake District’s friendliest market towns. Once a Georgian post inn, the building has been updated, and, while it still has many proper pub's charms downstairs in the bar and restaurants, the 18 rooms upstairs are cosy but well designed, with bespoke oak furnishings and a gentle animal theme. Its pub food is known for being robust, which has made it a popular choice with walkers.
For a Room with a View
- The Black Bull, Sedbergh is a 17th century coaching inn with 18 bedrooms that have interiors which look like those in a chic urban townhouse hotel. Think Metro tiles in bathrooms featuring deep tubs and partitioned by glass, and wood panelled walls in muted greys; it’s all very stylish. The downstairs area, where you’ll find the bars and restaurant, has been updated too, but many of the best features of these old inns remain, so there are funky lights hanging from ancient beamed ceilings, exposed stone on some of the walls, and reclaimed timber on others. There’s a beer garden too, with views of the Howgill Fells, and Sedbergh is a fun market town.
For a romantic break
- The Punch Bowl Inn, in the village of Crosthwaite, has been welcoming visitors to the Lake District since the 18th century. It’s wonderful for views, and popular with walkers, but it’s also got a romantic feel. There are just nine rooms, decorated with a feeling of modern country comfort, and with large beds and bathrooms. There’s a similar feel downstairs in the bar and restaurant, where some rooms look ready to treat you to a special occasion, and some are cosy hideaways. It’s a popular spot with the locals and the menu is very good too.
Family Friendly Pubs with Rooms
- The Sun Inn is a wonderfully welcoming 17th century inn in the historic heart of Kirkby Lonsdale, a charming market town in a good spot for both the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. So central you’ve a view over the churchyard and the charming little church, you’re also just moments from a scene painted by Turner. The wood-beamed bar is popular with walkers, and there’s a hearty, and award-winning, menu. There are 11 rooms upstairs, in a mixture of decors. And as well as being family friendly, The Sun Inn is also pet friendly.
- The Black Swan is a traditional country inn in Kirkby Stephen, with 14 ‘country style’ rooms, a green and leafy garden, and excellent local ale. They’ve a gastro-pub menu, which is very popular locally, and they have a good range of family-sized rooms, with cots and soft beds for the kids. There’s also lots to do, and you’re only 30kms from Lake Windermere.
Country Inn Escapes
- The Pheasant Inn is a remote feeling traditional coaching inn, surrounded by well kept gardens and wonderful views. There are 15 rooms, and friendly, cosy public spaces, in addition to the oak-panelled bar and sitting room with its log fire. The rooms are spacious, but cosily dressed. As well as offering the potential to just escape and relax, this inn is also close to Lake Bassenthwaite, which is know for its fishing, and for its walking trails.
For Great Value
- The Plough is a popular gastropub, with fresh, airy, country-style contemporary decor and a great location for both the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. There are only six rooms, and they’re all spacious, with huge bathrooms featuring stand-alone baths. The menu is a mix of pub classics and smarter bistro-style dishes, and each offering uses fresh, local ingredients and is executed with appropriate aplomb. There’s not a lot to do here, except beautiful scenery to stroll through, which is why it’s such an affordable option too, but it’s always busy.
- The Hare and Hounds dates from sometime in the 16th century, and has the beams and charms to prove it in the bar, but upstairs the four rooms are all freshly decorated in a contemporary country style. Their restaurant gets rave reviews and there’s the cosy atmosphere we love about these old inns, and the wide range of cask ales. And all for considerably under £100 per night.
Still not sure where to book?
