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If you want a Lakeland base that’s strolling distance from a lake, has a choice of low-level and tougher walks, is in a lively village and within easy driving distance of bustling market towns, the Crown Inn at Pooley Bridge should be on your list. At the head of Lake Ullswater, it’s also only a 20-minute drive from the M6 at Penrith.
The former 17th-century coaching inn has been given an imaginative refurbishment by the Lancashire-based, family-owned Thwaites Brewery. Bedrooms, with three rooms more privately located in an adjacent converted barn, have a modern rustic style that makes good use of space (even the entry-level Cosy category has room for a couple of chairs). There are chunky wood-plank headboards, warm wood furniture – with ingenious space-saving open-rail wardrobes and shelving – pale grey walls and colourful plaid throws and curtains. Most rooms have either a bold feature wall or blown-up landscape photograph of the lake. Large bathrooms (around half with bath and shower) have wood-effect floors, pale aqua tiles and White Company products.
The large open-plan bar-dining room, with its stripped-wood and tiled floors, scrubbed tables and log fires, is split into sections, including a residents’ lounge. Food is filling and hearty mixing pub classics, such as burgers, and steak and ale pie, with smarter dishes such as slow-braised beef blade, and fish pie with Lancashire cheese mash. There’s a decent wine list as well, of course, as cask ales, while the two west-facing riverside terraces are perfect for sundowners.
Local exploring
Great walks
Local markets
Trekking
Sights nearby
Intimate
Views
Secluded setting
Quiet
Family Suites
Sit-out Terrace
Full of character
Charming
Lakeside
Contemporary
Traditional
Wildlife Area
Disabled access
Child friendly
Village
Quirky
Pet friendly
Inn
In/by a Nature Reserve
Riverside
Restaurant
Rooms
17 rooms in this hotelSatellite / Cable TV
Wifi
Views
Family Suites
Bar
Fireplace
Outdoor dining
Sit-out Terrace
Disabled access
Child friendly
Pet friendly
Garden
Restaurant
Great walks
Local markets
Trekking
Sights nearby
Wildlife Area
Why do people love staying in your hotel? Great location right on the lake, cosy rooms and hearty food and ale.
What is there to do in the area? Pooley Bridge is at the northern end of Ullswater – the second largest lake in the Lake District – and is surrounded by mountains and countryside. Visitors to the Crown Inn have a wealth of options when it comes to activities and days out. Those who are feeling adventurous can get out on to the lake in a motorboat or do a spot of rowing or canoeing. Guests can explore the lake on the famous Ullswater Steamers, or bring a pair of hiking boots to climb Helvellyn. For a more leisurely hike, start off in Thirlmere, which is just half an hour from Pooley Bridge. Fifteen minutes outside of the village is the market town of Penrith with its bustling shopping and sights, such as the ruins of Penrith Castle, which are located on the southern edge of the town.
What kind of breakfast do you offer? Breakfast is served from 7.30 am - 10.00 am every day. The Crown Inn offers both continental and cooked breakfasts. Choose from muesli, freshly baked croissants and creamy porridge with a continental breakfast, or the cooked breakfast menu features the ‘Full Cumbrian Grill’ which will satisfy even the largest of appetites and includes free range eggs (cooked whichever way you like), grilled back bacon, pork sausages, hash browns and grilled tomatoes. Another popular breakfast dish is the kippers with fresh lemon on granary toast.
Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? The Crown Inn has a full menu of delicious starters, mains and desserts – mains include specialities like slow cooked lamb shank cooked with red wine, celeriac and pearl barley broth accompanied by carrot and swede mash or the delicious aubergine, pumpkin, kale and chickpea tagine served with Middle Eastern spiced cous cous, grilled flat bread and lemon yoghurt. Desserts include warm treacle tart with clotted cream ice cream.
There are many options for eating out within the village, as well as two more pubs there is a fine dining restaurant called 1863 and a lovely tea room called Granny Dowbekins. All are within walking distance from The Crown Inn and all offer something different.
Which are your most popular room types, and why? Room 17 is one of our feature rooms and is one of the most popular because of its 360 degree views of Pooley bridge including lake Ullswater, the riverbank and the village.
The barn is also popular for night owls as it’s separate from the hotel.
What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? The Crown Inn offers travel cots, highchairs, a children’s menu and colouring pencils and sheets. There is plenty to do in the village with the lake being right on our doorstep - fishing, plodging, walking and the Ullswater steamers. Regards extra beds, we have four rooms with sofa beds and can fit z-beds into most rooms.
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