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.
In the Lake District
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The Masons Arms is a charming Lake District inn, built in the 17th century, and positioned with a view over the quiet Winster Valley. Expect 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 self-catering cottages.
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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, a slate-topped bar, and wood-burning stoves. The food is excellent and the rooms utterly charming.
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The Queen's Head, Askham is a classic village green pub in picture-perfect Askham. A 17th-century property, it is packed full of character but its six rooms have been smartened up with plaid carpets, wallpapers and a mix of antiques and simple wooden furniture. The food is noteworthy too.
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The Hare & Hounds Inn, set in Bowland Bridge near Lake Windermere, is an inviting inn that blends country charm with modern style. The rustic decor, with its warm woods and earthy tones, creates a welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy local dishes, signature gin, and a curated wine list. Perfect for a cosy getaway.
For a waterside location
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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. Pick this for the popular waterside beer garden and superb cuisine.
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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. The great restaurant and affordable rates make this a great base for exploring the Lake District.
For foodies
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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. 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. A real foodie location.
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The George and Dragon was built as a coaching inn in the 18th century and sits on the Lowther family estate, close to the family seat at Askham Hall, which is now a restaurant with rooms, offering great menus 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
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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.
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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 that this is a proper old inn. The food is good and unpretentious. A popular spot with walkers.
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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.
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Kirkstile Inn is a traditional Lakeland inn, tucked away near Loweswater, that offers terrific food, own-brew beers and smartly comfortable cottage bedrooms. The views are stunning, plus there are walks from the doorstep, and a popular beer garden to recover in on your return.
For a Room with a View
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The Black Bull, Sedbergh is a 17th-century coaching inn with bedrooms that have interiors which look like those in a chic urban townhouse hotel. 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. There’s a beer garden too, with views of the Howgill Fells, and Sedbergh is a fun market town.
For a romantic break
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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. The nine rooms have an atmospheric feel with modern country design. There’s a similar feel downstairs in the bar and restaurant, with cosy hideaways perfect for two.
Family-Friendly Pubs with Rooms
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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, award-winning menu. Very family-friendly and pets are allowed too.
- The Black Swan is a traditional country inn in Kirkby Stephen, with ‘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
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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 decorated. As well as offering the potential to just escape and relax, this inn is also close to Lake Bassenthwaite, which is known for its fishing, and for its walking trails.
For Great Value
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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. Be warned, it is always busy!
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The Hare and Hounds dates back to the 16th century and has the beams and charms to prove it in the bar. 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. It's very reasonably priced too.
Still not sure where to book?
