The Pheasant, Cockermouth

The Pheasant is quite an impressive old coaching inn tucked away down a lane, not far from Bassenthwaite Lake. To the right-hand side of the entrance was where most of the action was on my Wednesday lunchtime visit. There are rooms to the front and rear, the front room having access to the bar. I chose the front room, where most people were eating or waiting for their food to arrive. But there were at least two old blokes discussing football and there for just a drink. The room has a fair amount of character, with plenty of wood, include a nice panelled wall pictures at one end. There are wood and glass dividers between tables to create a bit of privacy. There was a small TV on one wall, which was off for my visit, with background music playing instead. With food being the mainstay here, at least at lunchtime, there were menus on each table, including daily specials. A sign near the door I had entered pointed to the snug bar and lounges. I duly headed in that direction towards the toilets. A couple with their dog were in the room to the front, but it was a room to the rear that really caught my attention. This room was empty, despite having its own bar with handpulls. Decorated with red walls, a red ceiling and a multitude of pictures, it is presumably this room that earns the pub a 2* award for an "interior of very special national historic interest". Back in the main bar, there were a couple of cask ales. The regular Cumbrian Ales Loweswater Gold was supplemented by a Westgate WB Bitter which I chose. Sharp's Atlantic, Caffrey's & Aspall's were amongst the keg options. Unsurprisingly for such a location, this inn offers accommodation. In fact, there were signs for private lounges, of which I assume the room with the couple and their dog was one. There was also an area of outdoor seating to the rear with a hillside behind. I really liked this place as a building, both inside and out. The location is also superb. As a drinking venue, it is more food-led than wet-led. The beer I had was fine, but with just the 2 cask ales, the choice could be improved. Service was also a bit too brusque for my liking.