The Kings Arms, Penrith

A village local outside the tourist area of the Lake District. The pub also houses the village shop and post office, and would be an attractive building if it were not for the supremely ugly smokers shelter plonked by the front door. (The original frontage can be seen in a painting and an aerial photo inside.) The interior is pleasant, with a smart bar with brass rails for elbow and foot and three hand pumps serving Black Sheep, Doom Bar and a Brains seasonal ale when I was here on Christmas Eve. Every table was set with cutlery and cruet set, but that's not to say that drinkers are at all unwelcome. I quite liked it here until the Christmas CD made its appearance, but presumably there are still people who enjoy listening to Slade at this time of year.