The Troutbeck Inn, Penrith

Will Larter left this review about The Troutbeck Inn

I have lost count of the number of times I have driven or cycled past this pub, but never at a time when it was open for service. In March I took a photo of the opening times, but in fact they open seven days a week in the season, though still only from 4pm (noon on Sundays). As I approached on a recent Saturday I was encouraged by a sign near the car park entrance, "Come In We're OPEN" - a cross between helpfulness and desperation, perhaps. In I went, but the pent up anticipation of so many years was unrewarded, as the interior of the Troutbeck Inn has been modernised to within an inch of its life. What I wouldn't have given for the sound of a gently ticking grandfather clock and the smell of beeswax furniture polish on an old settle. All of this furniture came straight out of a catalogue, brand new, modern and totally lacking in taste. Or at least, not to my taste. On the small bar counter was a solitary hand pump with Wainwright Gold on - I asked the server for a half of Wainwright and he said "Gold or Amber", but it turns out the latter was in keg form. The Gold was OK (NBSS 3), with quite a decent bitter finish, but I took it out to the car park where there are a few benches and booths for people who get upset by modern furniture.

On 27^th June 2023 - rating: 4
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