Kings Head, Ulverston

Not to be confused with the larger King's Arms, the King's Head is a Marston's pub, whereas the King's Arms is a Robinson's pub. Confusingly, they're both on King Street. My visit highlighted one of the potential pitfalls for the post-lockdown drinker. On arrival, I was shown to a table. Luckily, I could see 2 pumpclips at the bar - Hobgoblin & Wainwright. I enquired with the staff member if there were any other real ales. He said that they were the only 2 on. Preferring a dark beer, I ordered the Hobgoblin. Luckily for me, my beer was delivered direct to my table, without use of one of those buzzing devices that tells you when it was ready for collection. Others who had been waiting longer than me were still patiently waiting for their machine to vibrate. However, the beer that arrived was a pale ale. I told the staff member that I had ordered the Hobgoblin, to which he replied that it was what I had ordered. I said that I was fine with the Wainwright, in any case and he slumped off. It was only afterwards that I realised that what I had actually ordered was Hobgoblin Gold. Without being able to get to the bar to order and without a beer list in sight, choose your beer at your peril!

This is a quirky Jennings place that also does accommodation. It is a terraced pub in Georgain style consisting of a taller 'tower' and 'cottage', giving it the look of a church (tower and nave). The place is in white render with black paintwork around the sash windows and doors. It has an old coach entrance and an excessive chimney stack. There is a nice beer garden at the back. The interior is open plan, now all the old rooms have been ripped out. The general decor is one of white artex walls, white and beam ceiling and patterned carpet. There is a fake stone fireplace feature and the walls have old photos on in the main, but a few arty ones too. There is a dart board and a few TVs. There was no music. The service was fine and the place was quite busy with a good mix - hence i didn't stay long. Beer; usual tap stuff with Wychwood Bountiful, Banks's Sunbeam and Marston 5 Hops and Single Hop. The Bountiful was decent. A good all-round pub, and worth a visit.