The Bush, Cockermouth

Nothing much to add to the previous detailed reviews.Called in just after 11 on a Tuesday morning and found the pub clean and tidy with a friendly landlord.There were 7 handpulls on the go,6 from Jennings, and The Wychwold Brewery's White Wych.There seemed a couple of original beams still intact and a Victorian post box fixed to a stone pillar plus a line on the wall where the water of the 2009 floods rose to. Liked it in here although I thought the pint of Snecklifter at £3.70p ago was a bit steep but then again it could be the going rate for the area

At the time of my visit in December there were seven Jennings beers available on the bar (I think the Bitter was duplicated), including Sneck Lifter and a seasonal beer, but not the Dark Mild. The pub extends a long way back from the apparently small building that fronts the street, with a "heated beer garden" at the rear which I didn't explore. It was busy with a crowd of Christmas shoppers and a convivial atmosphere. By a narrow margin the second best pub in town for me; the presence of Dark Mild might have scored it an 8.

This is a terraced Jennings pub with patio area at the back. The pub itself is in Georgian style - being in white render with black paintwork on the string course, around the sash windows and elaborate doorway, and coach entrance. The pub has a couple of rooms, served by a central bar area. The front room is split, showing what were former rooms. The left side is loungey, being in white and stone, with white and beam ceiling, having carpet, a stone fireplace and perimeter seating. The right is in purple and cream, with white and beam ceiling, stone floor and bar stools to accompany the perimeter seating. Old photos adorn the walls. The back room is in white and stone, with carpet and has a TV (not on) with old pictures on the walls. There was no music. The service was very friendly and there were just a few locals in. They do food, but we didn't eat, so can't comment on that. Beer; usual tap stuff with Jennings Cockerhoop, Snecklifter, Bitter, Jogger's Tipple, Cumberland Ale, Banks's Sunbeam, Wychwood Bountiful, Okell's Red and a few others as they had had a mini-beer festival. All the halves i had were decent. A cracking little place and one i would gladly return to - and this time not just to avoid the rain!

We went in for Sunday roast. A traditional two roomed pub that was very friendly in terms of both the staff and the customers. Ales were 3 Jennings offerings with two 'guests', albeit one was Banks's (from the same brewing group). I was glad we got in for the start of the lunchtime session because it was pretty full by the time we left. A comfortable visit so I would happily return.