The Ratty Arms, Ravenglass

There's something missing here, and I think I know what it is: a publike atmosphere. I know it's a bar based in an old station building, but there are some excellent pubs that started out that way. This, sadly, is not one. The beer line-up didn't help, as far as I was concerned: although I'm a fan of Black Sheep Bitter, it can be insipid if not handled with care, and neither Jennings Cumberland Ale nor Cross Bay Halo pull up any trees for me. They're beers that you have on the bar if you're afraid of frightening the tourists. If the sun is shining, there's a very nice beer garden here. Another plus point of course is that it's handy for the two railway stations: miniature and full size. Remember to allow plenty of time for the narrow gauge train departure to Eskdale, or the big train to Barrow and Lancaster, as the bridge across the tracks is a longer walk than it might have reasonably been expected to be, with an awkward gate if encumbered by luggage, a bicycle or several pints of beer.