Horse and Farrier Inn, Keswick

Spotted this from the Penrith/Keswick bus and vowed to come back. After a day in the Fells, where the water ran out, I was delighted to finally visit. 1688 date above the door. Several buildings knocked together. Fine patio area. Didn't spend too long inside but low ceilings, posh coaching house vibe. Tirill Windermere IPA had just been changed and was in fine condition. Worth the slight detour from the A66. Or getting off the bus.

A very neat Marston's (ex Jennings) pub in the small village of Threlkeld which somehow manages to sustain 2 pubs. This pub definitely majors on diners, but there was a small area near the bar with a couple of tables not set up for dining. Lots or rural prints around the walls along with some nice wood. 5 ales available on our Friday lunchtime visit and my pint of Jennings Cockerhoop went down very nicely after our walk along the old railway line from Keswick. A very pleasant pub, but not one to stay in for a drinking session, more of a call in for pub grub and have a couple of pints type of place.

In the picturesque village of Threlkeld, a few miles outside Keswick, is The Horse and Farrier, situated in splendid walking country and just off the A66 Keswick to Penrith road. It’s on a bus route, but, if you fancy a visit, you can walk along the track of the old disused railway starting from Keswick, which will take you to the village. Branding itself as an “Inn and Rooms”, it’s a long whitewashed building with a number of adjoining rooms side by side parallel with the street outside. Over the front door, we see the date 1688 carved into the plasterwork. There’s no hanging pub sign, but the front wall displays a splendid large canvas painting of a horse being shoe’d by a farrier. It’s a typically low ceilinged building, but wish a light and fresh feel. The cream coloured walls are decorated with a collection of hunting prints and local scenes. On my recent late Sunday afternoon September visit, most tables were laid out for diners, but, with it being around 3pm, people were starting to finish their meals and disappear. There’s much of an upmarket destination dining pub feel with, seemingly, well heeled local residents, as opposed to walkers and climbers, being the target market. I got the distinct impression that muddy boots and rucksacks would not be particularly welcome. Although I didn’t have either of these, the rather disdainful “welcome” from the barman, who I took to be His Nibs, made it apparent that I didn’t fit into the desired customer profile, and, with the weather being fine, I quickly retreated into the garden after being served. The outside seating area includes a grassy area alongside the large car park, where a number of picnic tables afford splendid views of the mountains on both sides. The Horse and Farrier is a Jennings pub which, on my visit, was serving Jennings Bitter, Cumberland and Sneck Lifter. Perhaps unusually, also on was Marstons EPA. The Jennings Bitter was in good form, the higher price than in Keswick pubs perhaps reflecting the upmarket aspirational feel of the establishment. The beer was in good form and it was very pleasant sitting outside in the afternoon sunshine enjoying the mountain views, but, based on my visit, this is much more a restaurant with a bar than a pub, and I’d be inclined to give it a miss if I’m ever passing through again.

Built in 1688, this is an old roadside inn at the foot of Blencathra in the now quiet village - the A66 bypasses it. (The bus between Keswick and Penrith stops right outside the door.) There are multiple rooms, all in a line, mostly with tables that are set up for or encourage dining. The bar, to the rear and centre, features six hand pumps, mostly Jennings beers including a rare appearance of the Dark Mild, which was in good condition. Modern additions to the mostly old-looking interior include a brick fire place (1930s) and ghastly pop music on the loudspeakers (1980s). Apart from the music, the atmosphere was pleasant enough, though it looks like they're aiming for the slightly posher end of the tourist market. That's not to say walking boots and dogs would be unwelcome...

Horse & Farrier page at the Jennings Brewery site - www.jenningsbrewery.co.uk