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If you come across the Kirkstile by chance you are probably lost. However most travellers to the tiny village of Loweswater know precisely where they are going. Truly welcoming, it was once a farmer's cottage but has been offering hospitality for over 400 years.
The white walls of the l-shaped bar are simply decorated and adorned with farm implements, and pictures of local heroes.
Most of the seating is low-backed comfy settles, where many guests spend lazy afternoons taking tea and cakes and reading trail and walking magazines.
The Kirkstile is for people who want to indulge in the outdoors, sitting below Melbreak in a stunning setting, twixt Loweswater and Crummock Water, and is the perfect refuge for relaxation.
For my relaxation I chose a pint of house-brewed Melbreak Bitter, at 3.7 percent ABV, a wonderfully enervating drink, as fresh as the Lake District air.
Equally drinkable is the Grasmoor Dark Ale, at 4.3 per cent, which isn't as dark as the name suggests. It is a complex brew of rich intensity, more than Christmas pudding and is a heady brew of entwining malted and spicy flavours.
It is always a pleasure being served by someone who is passionate and knowledgeable about the beers they sell. And the staff at the Kirkstile talked with authoritative enthusiasm about the aromatic qualities of Goldings hops and the burnt toast flavours of roasted malts.
Local food features with such treasures as roasted Herdwick leg of lamb, freshly caught trout, Westmorland parkin and Cumberland Jefferson Rum Nicky. All of which can be paired with a locally brewed ale. Sensible travellers will make sure thay have booked into one of the pub's bedrooms. Just perfect.
For the energetic there is a shove halfpenny board.
Outside a beck meanders through a meadow and on fine days there are fabulous views of the Buttermere valley.
No mobile signal - just peace and tranquillity and the not so silent lambs.
Kirkstile Inn,
nr Cockermouth,
nr Windermere,
Cumbria,
CA13 0RU
Tel: 01900 85219
www.kirkstile.com
Tourist information: www.golakes.co.uk
"The Lakes offers more than 3,500 kilometres of rights of way for walking, cycling and riding including many facilities for the disabled."
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Regional Winners 2006
Overall Winners 2005
Regional Winners 2005
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