The Cumberland Inn, Carlisle

Nice frontage and a suitably woody interior, lots of panelling, bit of mosaic floor (probably modern) and a leaded skylight over the counter; WhatPub tells me it is grade II listed. No cask beer, although there are two unused pulls on the counter, just a horseshoe of low end national kegs, WhatPub says Jennings Cumberland is usually on. Nowhere near as busy as ‘spoons next door, a fair mix of clientele but tending to the codger end, probably gets younger later. Multi space layout where walls have been removed. Constant music and usual screens and machines, and one of those useless rotating snack dispensers that usually eat my pound coin. DJ booth in one corner with speakers and lights n stuff so may be one to avoid on post plague weekends even if you fancy the beer or just admiring the interior.

This should be a really good pub, and I think in the past it has been in the Good Beer Guide. Certainly it is one of Camra's heritage pubs, for its well-preserved interior with original fittings, but unfortunately it was let down at the time of my visit by a poorly presented drink - sloppily poured, without either care or attention, resulting in no head on the beer. It tasted ok, and if I'd been in a pub in Luton or London the absence of a head would not have been worthy of comment, but here it felt like the result of either ignorance (and no proper training) or lack of attention. Date of visit: 28th February 2019