On a busy Friday night any old excuse to turn off the M6 when heading north is worth taking. And frankly speaking Junction 36 is better than any old excuse. For I know that if I drive along the A591 for about 15 minutes, two miles east of Windermere in the quiet village of Ings is the Watermill Inn.

Much more than a beer lover's paradise, more than just a village local, the Watermill has become a local for thousands of visitors to the Lake District from all over the world. If only more pubs could sell beer with such knowledge, style and enthusiasm.

Do not be put off by the rough-cut exterior of this former wood mill, which has now been much extended since it became a pub and bed and breakfast 13 short years ago. The hand-pulls for sixteen draft beers stand proud in the bars, but there the Watermill's beer range just begins and a long and extensive beer menu just like the nearby Lakes is waiting to be explored.

On the first Tuesday of each month it is the home to an evening of legends, folklore and music hosted by professional storyteller Taffy Thomas.

Many people travel to see this little bit of culture which itself is probably as old as beer drinking, delighting at the twists and turns of Taffy's many rozzums, the droll little tales of which he says he is the custodian of 2,000, as they swirl around the bar.

Watermill Inn,
Ings,
nr Windermere,
Cumbria,
LA8 9PY
Tel: 01539 821309

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Regional Winners 2005

Overall Winners 2006
Regional Winners 2006