The Hotel Guru
17 of Cumbria’s Best Pubs with Rooms

17 of Cumbria’s Best Pubs with Rooms

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?

You could browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Cumbria
Check out our Guru’s recommendations for the best hotels in the Lake District or the best pubs with rooms in the Lake District
Refine your search to one of Cumbria’s charming towns — try Carlisle, Keswick, Windermere, Ambleside or Grasmere
Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.
- Wasdale Head Inn Wasdale Head, Cumbria 12 rooms from £120
  
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  Great walks  -  Miles from anywhere, this Inn has some of the most unspoilt walking in England.
  Views  -  All bedrooms have stunning views of Wasdale
  Climbing  -  At the foot of England's highest mountain
  Sights nearby  -  The Smallest Church in England, St Olaf's at Wasdale Head.
  
  Famous climbing inn at the head of Wasdale, spectacularly sited below Scafell Pike with magnificent views. Satisfy your stomach with hearty pub food or enjoy the finer things in the wood-panelled Dining Room. Rooms are simple but extremely comfortable and all boast breathtaking views. See More
  
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- The Black Bull, Sedbergh Cumbria 18 rooms from £99
  
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  Country Escape  -  A country inn with good food and surrounded by fabulous walking country
  Sights nearby  -  Local attractions include Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, and Sizergh Castle
  Great walks  -  From the doorstep onto the Howgill Fells, or in Yorkshire Dales
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  
  A smart market-town, coaching-inn with quietly classy food and a modern, relaxed style that retains a traditional pub feel but subtly updated. Calm and welcoming rather than pretentious, and only minutes from the M6 motorway. See More
  
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- Pentonbridge Inn Carlisle, Cumbria 9 rooms from £125
  
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  Foodies  -  The food is simply sumptuous and the inn's headliner.
  Sights nearby  -  Nearby Carlisle has got a day's worth of activities with its medieval castle, art gallery and Tullie House Museum.
  Great walks  -  Beautiful walks from the doorstep and also the chance to explore a section of nearby Hadrian's Wall.
  Remote  -  Off the beaten track.
  
  A contemporary-style but low-key country inn with Michelin-starred dining, this property will appeal to food-lovers who like its away-from-it-all location close to the Scottish border. A true country retreat. See More
  
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- Drunken Duck Inn Cumbria 13 rooms from £175
  
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  Sights nearby  -  Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount, former homes of poet William Wordsworth
  Great walks  -  Traverse the Southern Lowland Fells
  Full of character
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  Recommended by  -  CN Traveller
  
  In the little village of Ambleside, nestled amongst the Southern Lowland Fells lies this 18th century inn. A landmark Lake District pub as famous for its smart food as its own-brew beer and with an attractive contemporary-country style. Comfortably inviting rooms are stylish yet uncluttered. See More
  
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- The Crown Inn at Pooley Bridge Cumbria 17 rooms from £105
  
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  Local exploring  -  A great base for exploring the stunning Lake District
  Great walks  -  For a challenging hike head up Helvellyn mountain, or for a gentler walk start off in Thirlmere
  Local markets  -  Head to Penrith, once the capital of Cumbria, and explore its traditional shops and arcades
  Sights nearby  -  Visit the ruins of Penrith Castle
  
  17th century coaching inn situated in a charming village by Ullswater Lake. Expect a friendly atmosphere and a great beer garden with gorgeous views. Smart rooms are cosy and comfortable, some featuring statement walls or matching furnishings. An easygoing base for exploring the stunning region. See More
  
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- The Hare and Hounds Kendal, Cumbria 5 rooms from £120
  
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  Active Holiday  -  Everything the Lake District has to offer is on the doorstep from superb hiking to a plethora of watersports
  Great walks  -  Nearby Whitbarrow Scar & Gummer’s How are both easy climbs with fantastic 360° panoramic views
  Country Escape  -  As traditional and rustic as an inn could be! Set in Cumbria's stunning landscape
  Local exploring  -  Just 4 miles from Kendal, this is an ideal base for exploring the Lake District
  
  Historic and homely 16th-century country inn. Rooms are individually designed with lots of character. Beds are king-size and very comfortable. The restaurant serves excellent pub grub and the bar serves great cocktails and local ales. A typical Cumbrian pub with a touch of metropolitan pizzazz. See More
  
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- The Plough Cumbria 6 rooms from £85
  
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  Sights nearby  -  Be sure to visit the historic Levens Hall and Fairy Steps, both just a short distance away
  Great walks  -  The Plough is surrounded by numerous stunning hiking trails
  Back to Nature  -  Get out and about exploring all over the Lake District
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  
  Popular gastro pub with a bold yet comfortable contemporary-country style and large, inviting bedrooms. Well-placed for exploring both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. See More
  
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- Sun Inn Kirkby Lonsdale 11 rooms from £99
  
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  Local exploring  -  Great base for exploring both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.
  Sights nearby  -  Devil’s Bridge in Kirkby Lonsdale
  Birdwatching  -  RSPB’s reserve at Leighton Moss
  Great walks  -  Ingleton Waterfalls Trail.
  Recommended by  -  Sawdays
  
  Traditional town pub with comfortable rooms in a charming market town near the Lake District and the Dales. Popular with locals for its award winning menu. A great base for serious walking, but need a car. Dog friendly with lots of outdoor activities on offer in the surrounding area. See More
  
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- Punch Bowl Inn, Cumbria Crosthwaite (Cumbria) 9 rooms from £130
  
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  Romantic Break  -  Ideal for a romantic weekend away, with his and hers tubs, candlelit dinners and sweeping views of the countryside
  Active Holiday  -  Some of the best walking in the British Isles is right on your doorstep, be sure to bring your hiking boots!
  Foodies  -  Chef Scott Fairweather never fails to impress, with local ingredients and inventive combinations
  Great walks  -  With something for every level of commitment, from full day hikes to an afternoon stroll
  Recommended by  -  Sawdays
  
  A smart country pub tucked away in the Lake District's Lyth Valley. There's a boutique vibe throughout — rooms exude comfort with fresh country styling and boast roll-top baths as standard. Popular lunch food for locals and great dinner menu. Good base for local exploring but a car is needed. See More
  
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- The Queen's Head Cumbria 10 rooms from £137
  
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  Sailing  -  There are plenty of companies who will take you out sailing on Lake Windemere if you fancy a bit of an adventure!
  Sights nearby  -  Head over to Beatrix Potter's house near Sawrey, Holehird Gardens or William Wordsworth's homes at Dove Cottage
  Great walks  -  Take a leisurely stroll through the valley or test yourself with higher fells such as Helvellyn
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  Recommended by  -  Michelin Travel, CN Traveller
  
  The Queen's Head is a traditional country inn with a smart but relaxed, contemporary style, close to Windermere but away from the crowds. Original features and modern craftsmanship create a bright and welcoming atmosphere plus stylish bedrooms and generous food. See More
  
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- The Queen’s Head, Askham Cumbria 6 rooms from £130
  
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  Foodies  -  The pub restaurant serves superb British cuisine, with a contemporary twist, using produce from the neighbouring estate
  Country Escape  -  With fireplaces, local ales, hearty cuisine, and lovely walks this is the perfect country escape
  Sights nearby  -  Visit Lowther Castle and stroll through its wild gardens while the kids play in the adventure playground
  Great walks  -  Set out straight from the property on scenic walks through the Cumbrian countryside
  
  A snug, beamed 17th-century village pub with a smart but understated contemporary country feel that still retains its atmosphere. Big comfortable bedrooms with occasional antiques and confident, robust cooking using ingredients from the local Lowther estates. See More
  
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- The Pheasant Inn, Cumbria Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria 15 rooms from £140
  
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  Foodies  -  Enjoy locally sourced produce at this acclaimed casual Bistro- think wholesome food, fine wines and craft ales.
  Country Escape  -  Make the most of your surroundings at this charming coaching inn just meters from the Bassenthwaite Lake.
  Sights nearby  -  Head to Dalemain House and Gardens and explore the historic house and it's beautiful gardens.
  Great walks  -  Sale Fell is on your doorstep, and for the more adventurous Skiddaw range 10 mins away.
  Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays
  
  An old, remote coaching inn, with fine dining and bistro. Friendly and welcoming with well kept gardens and a cosy lounge with fireplace. Enjoy country walks and fishing in the nearby Lake Bassenthwaite. A country retreat with access to local spa and pool. See More
  
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- The Masons Arms Bowland Bridge, Cumbria 7 rooms from £85
  
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  Families  -  With lovely cottages that sleep up to six people, it's a great option for a family holiday.
  Great walks  -  The surrounding countryside is full of beautiful walking routes.
  Sights nearby  -  Take a trip to the wonderful nearby Holker Hall & Gardens.
  Romantic  -  Good for couples.
  Recommended by  -  Sawdays
  
  Awash with traditional charm, The Masons Arms is a delightful hotel in the Lake District. Featuring excellent food in the restaurant, a wide range of ales and comfortable rooms. The pub's cottages, that sleep up to six, make it a great option for families or groups. See More
  
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- The King's Head, Cumbria Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria 6 rooms from £90
  
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  Local exploring  -  A great base from which to explore the beautiful Lake District surroundings.
  Great walks  -  The fells and footpaths that surround Ravenstonedale are a paradise for walkers.
  Fishing  -  Take a day of wild brown trout fishing on the River Eden.
  Sights nearby  -  Visit the historic nearby market town of Kirby Stephen.
  
  Sitting in the charming village of Ravenstonedale, The King's Head has a history that dates back five centuries. It exudes a homely feel with its cosy pub, excellent restaurant and lovely rooms. A great base from which to explore the beautiful Lake District surroundings. See More
  
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- Black Swan Cumbria 19 rooms from £100
  
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  Traditional
  Great walks  -  Plenty of long walks in the Lake District, England's largest National Park
  Sights nearby  -  Brough Castle, the 'book town' of Sedbergh and Wensleydale cheese shop
  Tennis  -  Courts available in Ravenstonedale village
  Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays
  
  Experience English village life in this traditional country inn. Rooms are decorated in a 'country' style with soft palettes and furnishings. Explore the leafy grounds or enjoy some gastro pub grub and a pint of local ale at the popular restaurant. Pack the car and the kids and the dog! See More
  
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- The Royal Oak, Keswick Keswick 18 rooms from £117
  
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  Local exploring  -  A great base for exploring Keswick and the surrounding Lake District.
  Sights nearby  -  Keswick Pencil Museum; Castlerigg Stone Circle, The Lakes Distillery at head of Bassenthwaite Lake
  Great walks  -  The surrounding countryside is full of wonderful walking routes.
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  
  A dog-friendly historic inn in a plum position in the centre of Keswick, one of the Lake District’s friendliest market towns. Carefully modernised so as not to lose its original charm, the bedrooms are cosy while the food is just the ticket for a day on the fells. See More
  
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- The George and Dragon Penrith, Cumbria 11 rooms from £100
  
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  Local exploring  -  A great base for exploring the Northern parts of the Lake District.
  Sights nearby  -  Go and visit the Rebel oak tree, the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie was finally defeated in 1745.
  Fishing  -  Salmon fishing on the nearby River Eden and brown trout fishing on the River Lowther.
  Great walks  -  Go for lovely walks around nearby Ullswater.
  
  Delightful gastropub with comfortable rooms that offers a great base for people staying in the Northern Lake District. Delicious food served in the restaurant and plush bedrooms make a great choice for people wanting to explore nearby landmarks such as Ullswater and Keswick. See More
  
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