The Sally, Keswick

This is actually the sister pub to the nearby Horse & Farrier as it's owned by the same people although you'd struggle to guess that. It's very different than the H & F and has rather more of a locals local feel to it. They still do accomodation and food, but it feels more of a drinkers pub. We've called in here several times, the first being in 2002 when we watched England beat Argentina 1 - 0. We were stood under an arch in an old doorway and I gave my head a real crack when I jumped up when Beckham scored. It's been done up a bit since then, but has still managed to keep the pub feel to it. 3 beers available on our Friday lunchtime visit this time with the choice being the underwhelming Theakstons Best along with Robbies Cumbria Way and Theakston's Old Peculier. I had a pint of the Robbies which was in good nick and then we went to catch the bus back to Keswick. A decent stopping off point when on a walk.

This is a basic village local, attractively or garishly painted in red, depending on your taste. Inside there are no internal walls, leaving plenty of room for pool table, gaming machines and widescreen TVs, which were showing pop videos when I was here in the days before Christmas. There are four hand pumps on the bar, of which two were in use, serving Theakstons Black Bull and a seasonal special, though most of the locals seemed to be drinking lager or smoothflow. They were doing a good trade in bar snacks - burgers and the like, though I didn't eat so can't comment. The beer was not anything to write home about. Very much a locals pub, with a lively atmosphere, but I'd be hoping for better real ales if I were to come back again.