Ambleside Tap Yard, Ambleside

Part of the same local privately-owned hospitality group as the Flying Fleece opposite, and others in this part of the Lake District, this is a modern pizza-and-craft-beer tourist bar. The unique selling point here is the array of copper tanks behind the bar, containing locally brewed beers. There are also a number of hand pumps (one obscured by the mulled wine/cider/beer casks on the bar counter at the time of my pre-Christmas visit. Not obscured was the Lakeland Brewhouse Stout, which was in pretty good condition, and two other beers. I was here soon after opening time on a weekday, so I can't say what trade was like generally, but they were clearly catering for families with children during holidays. Not sure this is one I would want to come back to when there are so many traditional pubs in Ambleside that I would find more to my liking.

Located in some old mill buildings alongside the Flying Fleece and sharing part of the outside area, on the edge of which is the disused mill leat. Mostly on one level with a corner counter, made from deconstructed casks, above are six copper tanks and lots of pipe work but mysteriously connected in someway, there are taps attached below on the bar back and to the side a group of blackboards showing what beers are in what tanks. It’s partly stone, partly window and it has a tin roof, all looking very industrial, there’s a mezzanine floor reached by a spiral staircase in the corner and another at the back with conventional stairs. There are four hand pulls with similar local beers to next door at the Flying Fleece, well kept but all a bit weak. It has handle glasses but more like the old fashioned lantern glasses than dimple mugs.

Official site of Ambleside Tap Yard - www.tap-yard.com

Official site of Ambleside Tap Yard - www.tap-yard.com