Longtown, Cumbria:
We were traveling north to Scotland, and Longtown was our overnight stop just about south of the border.
We’d checked in at our hotel, and wandered to the only other still open pub in town. The entrance turned out to be down an alley, off a yard at the back, and we found a single-room pub that looked like it could be, as we like to say, “vibrant”.
As it was? Friendly locals, friendly barman, decent enough lager. Suspect it may have been a bit more vibrant later, but Friday early doors was pleasant.
Carnforth:
Small traditional backstreet locals pub we came across while looking for somewhere to eat. Friendly enough, but a strong smell of dog. The beer was OK though, and we sat in the sun outside.
Carnforth:
Large Victorian hotel near the station. Slightly reduced in size with some bits rented out, and a bit faded grandeur (but evidently under refurbishment). The bar was pub-like, and pleasant enough, full of locals on a Friday evening, we came for a drink, then returned for food as the nearby Chinese restaurant was shut. Food and beer both fine, though only 1 ale available, but decent lager as well. Could be absolutely magnificent with investment, and the current people seem to be doing a good job.
Grange-over-Sands:
This didn’t give a good impression from one side- looking a bit tatty as we walked through town, but later, approaching from the prom it looked better, and in the event was pretty good, with friendly staff, great beer, and decent sandwiches. The place isn’t plush or fancy, but not tatty either, inside.
Arnside:
Just up the road from Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, another Thwaites pub. Traditional-tending-to-modern-gastropub inside, and outside with clever glass screens to shelter you from the wind but not block the view, and heaters, making the outside space very pleasant. Great beer, food looked good (though we didn’t try it), friendly staff.
Arnside:
We wanted a few days away, so we stopped here: it’s a pub with rooms, not a hotel- but it’s both a comfortable place to stay, and a nice pub. Friendly landlord and staff, excellent Thwaites beer, wine, and food, and a great location just minutes from the station and with stunning views over the bay. Our room was pretty good too.
The pub was featured on Four in a Bed a few years ago.
Windemere:
A mistake: our bus ride to Windemere was on a bus that called everywhere, so it took a long time. This meant we missed food times at The Queens (which seems a bit odd, I’d have thought serving all day would make good money), but we stayed for a drink. A nice, traditional pub, good beer and wine, and outside space (which sadly highlighted the fact that Windemere really needs a bypass). I’d imagine it could get very, very busy.
In Ur Pubz, Drinkin Ur Beerz