South Lakeland for beer

I was back in Cartmel for another break last week. Apart from the many other reasons for visiting the area, there is the excellent choice of beers. Public transport links to Ulverston, Broughton, Foxfield, Kendal, Staveley and Ings are available giving access to some of the finest pubs in Cumbria. For instance I spent a beautifully sunny afternoon at Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall enjoying all five draught beers on offer.



The Pheasant Inn, Allithwaite


However, a number of villages are within walking distance of Cartmel. Cark, Flookburgh and Allithwaite  have two pubs each and they all sell real ale. These are the cask beers that I drank in pubs within walking distance of my accomodation:

Hawkshead Bitter (to excess)

Coniston Bluebird

Corby Ale

Skiddaw Special Bitter

Stringers Best Bitter

Stringers Yellow Lorry

Loweswater Gold

Caledonian Deuchars IPA

Ulverston Celebration

Ulverston Laughing Gravy

Thwaites IPA

Winster Valley Cartmel Hurdler

That is not a comprehensive list of the beers available. I ignored the Robinson’s pubs and also gave two more Winster valley beers on the racecourse, Draught Bass, Cumberland Ale, Thwaites Bitter & Wainwright, Theakston Bitter and Taylor’s Landlord a miss. A special mention to the Pheasant in Allithwaite. Excellent beer quality and friendly service which must merit a GBG entry soon. There are plenty of other pubs in the area with good beer that can be reached with a bit more effort on public transport, foot or cycle or more easily by car.