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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Friday, 3rd December 2010
With picture contributions to 12229 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (5 more images)
Requested be closed with reason - Temporary: Closed for building repairs.
Detail Pages
Kirkstone Pass Inn, Ambleside
Kirkstone Pass
Postal town: Ambleside
LA22 9LQ
Served areas
Reviews of Kirkstone Pass Inn (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Kirkstone Pass Inn
Landmark roadside pub in middle of nowhere with a couple of stonebuilt rooms, open fires etc. Nice outdoor area across road if you are lucky enough to hit a fine day. Good selection of local ales and food ok.
On 7th September 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Kirkstone Pass Inn
A genuinely old pub with what appear to be genuinely old beams. There are traditional pub tables and chairs, with some benches outside for the view, though some are on the other side of the road. We called in here one evening recently when there were only two or three other customers, but two nights later it was packed. Food is good value at around £9 for main courses, though the vegetarian lasagne was a bit skimpy compared with the steak and ale pie.
There are three hand pumps serving local beers, though the 3% Kirkstone Porter wasn't available on our visits. Tirril Red Screes (named after the hill from which my photo was taken), Derwent Blonde and Hesket Kirkstone Black were the beers we saw, though the Blonde went off half way through our order. Service was friendly and efficient. My notes read "ghastly Irish pipe music on the CD player (lose 2 points)", so if you like Irish pipes, you can mentally adjust the score to 8
On 13th July 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Kirkstone Pass Inn
Describing itself as "The Inn with Altitude", at nearly 1500 feet above sea level, the Kirkstone Pass Inn is reputedly the highest pub in Cumbria and the third highest in England. It's situated at the head of the Kirkstone Pass, linking Windermere and Patterdale in the Lake District and, dating back to 1496, claims to be "reputedly amongst the oldest pubs in the world".
It's a whitewashed building with a pleasant traditional interior, consisting of low, darkened beams, flagstoned floors and cosy tables and seats, which give rise to a slightly neglected old fashioned charm. The setting - at the head of the pass - feels bleak and remote and there are no houses for several miles in either direction. There are no locals therefore - only passing walkers, bikers and the occasional coachload of tourists who stop for refreshments and to admire the fine scenery. There's a suitably large car park opposite the pub and an outdoor seating area for customers to fully appreciate the views.
It's a pub, not a hotel, but several rooms are available for bed and breakfast for those wanting to stop overnight ( or stranded by the winter snow !) and, also, for those on a budget, a number of bunk beds in an annexe at the princely sum of £ 8.50p.
A very brief business trip to the Lake District with a colleague gave us the opportunity to drop in on a recent Tuesday evening. Disappointingly, the weather was not kind that evening and, probably largely as a consequence, the pub was virtually empty, but a friendly welcome and a good value excellent home cooked meal from the pub's evening menu was enjoyed.
Beers on were Kirkstone Porter, which I noted is brewed at The Old Crown in Hesket Newmarket ( specifically for the pub, presumably ) together with two beers from the Tirrill Brewery - Red Screes and Old Faithful. My colleague, who was driving, was impressed with the Porter ( 3% ABV ) and I thought the Red Screes was pretty good. Both beers were priced at £ 2.90p.
Postcards and other souvenirs are available behind the bar and there's a visitors book to sign
My knowledge of Lakeland pubs is distinctly limited, but, when I'm next in the area, I think I'll make the effort to get here again.
On 7th October 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
No known official website for this pub.
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Kirkstone Pass Inn - whatpub.com
Staveley, 9.26 miles, 2 hr 58 min walk (show)
Burneside (Cumbria), 12.13 miles, 3 hr 54 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Car Park : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Will Larter
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Will Larter
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Will Larter
