The Great British Pub. We know how it’s done, and in the North we know how to make a good pub, great. Many pubs have had to develop their offering over the last few decades in an ever changing (and challenging) environment for pubs and eating out, but as a result we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to choosing great destinations to eat. I could do a list as long as my arm, but I wanted to just highlight a few that I have personally visited and would recommend. So, without further ado, here are just few of the brilliant pubs available to try in North Lancashire and the South Lakes.
Note: Whilst no dining experience is “cheap” these days, I have tried to give some indication of price bracket underneath the information given, with either a ££ for moderately priced, or £££ for more on the expensive side. Clearly this is relative to how I interpret prices, so please see these restaurants menus and information for more.
The Fleece at Dolphinholme
££
The Fleece at Dolphinholme has recenlty won Pub of the Year from Visit Britain, which is very well deserved! It’s got a lovely pub area when you first go in, with plenty of local brews to choose from, and then a distinct restaurant area as well. It’s been a couple of years since I last ate at The Fleece, and I imagine the menu has probably changed since then, but I remember it being very good food and cracking Sunday lunch! What I also really like about The Fleece is that there is a community shop within the pub as well. As far as I’m aware, the village of Dolphinholme doesn’t have any type of shop for locals just to pick up a pint of milk or a loaf etc. So it’s nice that there is option in the pub, rather than having to travel miles by car if you just want to nip out for the essentials. The pub is dog friendly in the bar, and there’s a children’s play area outside.
Anyon Lane
Dolphinholme
Lancaster
LA2 9AQ
The Inn at Whitewell
£££
We go to the Inn at Whitewell for special occasions; namely for my mum’s 70th last year, and for dad’s birthday the year before. The pub can be found in a beautiful location in the midst of the Trough of Bowland. It takes a bit of getting to by car because of the very rural location, but the journey is scenic and the end destination is well worth it! The Inn is also a hotel and a popular wedding venue, and it’s always thrumming with life. This is one you will definitely have to book if you want to go as there is a limited serving window (this applies even more if you’d like to go for Sunday Lunch!), but I think it’s lovely. We’ve always had brilliant food there, and they’ve always been accommodating to any needs we may have had – for example, last year mum asked for a smaller portion on her main, as she sometimes struggles with large amounts, and they were quite happy to adjust to her request. I would definitely recommend for special occasion; eating a fabulous lunch looking out over the River Hodder in the stunning Trough of Bowland; it doesn’t get much better than that!
The hotel also boasts twenty-five beautiful bedrooms, as well as bookable spa treatments, so if you’d like to make a weekend of it and enjoy the beauty of the Trough of Bowland, there’s ample opportunity to do so!
The Inn At Whitewell
Forest of Bowland
Nr. Clitheroe
Lancashire
BB7 3AT
The Cavendish Arms, Cartmel
££
The Cavendish Arms sits on the banks of the River Eea in Cartmel, with a lovely outside seating area which is perfect in the summer for a pub meal with a view. Supposedly serving tired patrons since the days of Mary I (1555 to be exact), there is plenty of history to be found within the pub, as it used to be an old coaching inn. These days, the chef has put a decidedly modern twist on the menu with several dishes with international flavours, rather than only serving “traditional” British pub fare. You can find Tagine, Korean Steak Tartare, and Mushroom Linguine, alongside your delicious usuals like Steak & Ale pie, and Pulled Pork with chips.
There’s a bit of a legend within my family about this pub. This was where my grandfather was taken for his retirement lunch back in the 1980s. Now, my grandfather was a big gentleman – 6 ft 4 in. in his prime, and he was known for having a rather large appetite. The family legend (and I’m definitely not sure if this is true) is that, as a joke, his colleagues ordered him two of everything on the big grill platter that was then on offer. So, two gammon steaks, two sirloin, two sausages, two pork chops, two chicken breasts… you get the picture. And then my grandfather, not wanting to be rude to his colleagues, as he wasn’t paying, apparently ate the lot!
Whilst I can’t say I would attempt anything of the sort, having a decidedly smaller appetite, the food at the Cavendish Arms is delicious and locally sourced wherever possible, which is a huge huge plus.
Cavendish Street
Cartmel
Cumbria
LA11 6QA
The Bay Horse at Bay Horse, Ellel
£££
I love this pub. The Bay Horse Inn, Bay Horse Lane, Bay Horse, Ellel (clearly the local naming committee was feeling creative that day) is a really cosy country pub with delicious food. There’s a signpost outside which tells you where everything comes from, and how far it is (e.g. Lancaster Brewery, three miles; Lancaster Smokehouse, five miles etc.), which I think is a really great touch to see where all the lovely local produce is sourced! You also get a few different choices about where to eat when choosing the vibe for your visit. There’s the barn area at the back for open plan dining (often used for weddings and other events); the smaller dining room that overlooks the garden, which is lovely on a summer’s evening; or the cosy bar room itself, wonderful on a dark evening in autumn and winter for that comfortable pub feel with a crackling fire. Also the fillet steak is delicious. It’s a birthday treat for me, and I savour every bite because it is truly divine. I don’t get fillet steak other than on my birthday (which coincidentally is coming up again soon), so I make the most of it, and the Bay Horse is the place to do just that!
The Bay Horse Inn
Bay Horse Lane
Bay Horse
Ellel
Lancaster
LA2 0HR
So there you have it! Four brilliant Northern pubs picked out among so so many. Have you been to any of these? Which one will you be visiting next? Stay with me as I cross the border into North Yorkshire to find some of the most amazing pubs that that county has to offer…
