Bush Inn, Wigton

Passing through at shortly after 11am, having seen two or three pubs along the way that clearly weren't going to be open until the evening, I was surprised to find the Bush already open and busy. Handily placed a few miles from the start of the Hadrian's Wall path, the pub clearly picks up a lot of passing trade from people who have bitten off more than they can chew, or just need a midday refreshment stop. Just setting off for a longish day on my bike, I was happy to have an unscheduled beer stop. (Though it was harder to find than I thought, the sharp right over the railway line being easy to miss.) There are three hand pumps on the longish bar, serving an unadventurous line-up of Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen, plus Belhaven Golden Bay. It may be that the brewery has been involved in a refurbishment of the pub, otherwise I find it strange that no locally brewed beers can find a place on the bar. Mine was the only beer served while I was here, though, as most people were going for sandwiches, soft drinks or coffee. Good to see a place like this, that could so easily have closed down for good, making a decent attempt to fill a need. I'd still like to see something a little more interesting on the bar, though. Date of visit: 15th July 2016