The Kings Head, Carlisle

Visited this 2010 Good Beer Guide pub yesterday, and it is a nice clean pub with 3 ales on the bar. Had Yates bitter and Rudgate Summer Hop. The other beer was Theakstons Grouse Beater. Raised seating area at the back with an area for darts, and door outside to a good patio area. There was no music and the TV screen was off while we were there early afternoon. Good cheap food menus on the table.

One of the few proper pubs in Carlisle city centre. Usually has Yates's bitter and a changing guest, although the last few times I've been this has always been from Phoenix. Always well kept ale and relatively low key atmosphere. A good place to sit and read your paper with a nice pint.

On a narrow street in the shopping precinct. Saw it in the good beer guide so I thought I'd give it a try. Its like a 70s version of Olde Worlde. I love Yates bitter so it scored a plus. 3 real ales altogether. Oldish crowd this side of the bar, one or two diners. Young crowd the other side. Dont think they wanted to be there. Hall and Oates playing in the background followed by ozzy. Present building dates back to the 17th century but it is understood that ale was sold here as far back as the 10th century. Found this out on the back of a menu. In 1916 the running of the Kings Head was taken over by the Liquor Control Board. These are fascinating facts. Menu looked Ok (green and white with a touch of red) Didnt try the food, but it looked affordable, perhaps even cheap. The beer was pretty good. So its an OK pub worth popping in if passing.

Official site of the Kings Head, contains real ale details - www.kingsheadcarlisle.co.uk