The Factory Tap, Kendal

This is a compact, modern bar set in an interesting old mill house building that now borders a small industrial estate. You enter into a bare boarded main bar area with the servery immediately to the right and a small, but cosy seating area opposite. The bar has a chunky, white wood panelled counter and cramped bar back that has been squeezed beneath a staircase. Banquette seating runs along the front and left-hand walls, with tub chairs in support and a rustic looking high table and stools on the back wall. Exposed stone walls and lots of modern beams crossing the ceiling, give the room some character, having been retained as original features. Decor is limited to a couple of old paintings, some blackboards and an unused TV screen, but it's worrh noting the nice stained glass pane above a back door that leads out to a rear, patio beer garden, with another such patio area also available out the front. The window sills are full of antique tat such as a carpet beater, an old radio, large vases and jugs, various lamps and so on. Stairs to the side of the bar lead up to an unexplored first floor seating area, which must be a decent size judging by the number of people heading up there. I was surprised to find no less than six operational handpulls, dotted around the curved bar counter, offering a choice between Handsome Blonde and Blacksmith, Abbeydale Heathen, Castle Eden Bitter, Fyne Ales Jarl and one other that I failed to note. Service was prompt and friendly and my pint of the Blacksmith was in great shape and slipped down very nicely. On approach, I wasn't too sure what to make of this place, but it turned out to be a pretty good pub, with a pleasant interior making good use of an attractive old building, some excellent ale on the bar and friendly service. It's clearly popular with the locals and was a real highlight of my time in Kendal. Date of visit - 14th January 2024

Lovely Tap Room of (as far as I can tell) no particular brewery. Seemed to split over two floors, with a mezzanine upstairs investigated. Downstairs brightly lit with a pubby feel. Great beer choice and although our first round contained Fyne Jarl that was at the end of the barrel, those in our party that stuck with it were rewarded with a perfect representation. It was a wrench to get my colleagues to leave, but there was much to explore in town for first time visitors.

No longer the brewery tap for Bowness Bay, which is now next door at the Barrel House, this is a proper pub that now features mostly local beers from the likes of Gan Yam, Fell and Handsome, with one interloper in the shape of Fyne Jarl when I was here last week. The beers I tried were in very good condition, with Fell Crag being the best I've ever had of this bitter (NBSS 4) and even the taster of Gan Yam Ken, a Kendal Mint Cake stout (which I only tasted out of politeness), was in great nick despite being pretty disgusting. Service was friendly and welcoming - if you're in a pub in the centre of town this one is well worth the short walk and dodging the traffic to reach.