The Apple Tree, Carlisle

The entrance of the Apple Tree opens onto a wooden floored area that is faced by the serving counter that supports standard and premium keg alongside four hand pumps, two of which were in use drawing Old Speckled Hen and Apple Tree Ale, whatever that is. The wooden floor continues to the left where there a pool table and dartboard are found. To the right of the entrance is a carpeted seating area with long tables with long padded benches, and banquettes that run up the right-hand wall. Monday night football was playing to the almost empty pub on the televisions. The ale offering isn’t going to have many rushing to drink here, but I thought it was OK for a Greene King pub.

Modern open-plan Greedy King pub just like all their others from that catalogue. Rockin' Rudolph tasted like Santa's sack (NBSS 2). Blaring TV with post-match footy bollocks nobody was watching. A very flat atmosphere.

A fine building that has had its ground floor opened out into a large, modern Greene King pub. It was fairly busy at Monday lunchtime, with groups of shoppers getting stuck into whatever helps them revive, and a table of what may have been work colleagues having some sort of celebratory meal, while regulars were reading their newspapers with half an eye on the horse racing on TV. The bar counter is along the back wall, with a sort of sports bar to the left (with pool and darts) and dining centrally and to the right. There were four hand pumps with Old Speckled Hen, Greene King IPA and Timothy Taylor Landlord. My half of GK IPA was pretty good. This seems to be a well run and popular pub, with good beer, smart surroundings and very good service. Date of visit: 11th July 2022