Royal Hotel, Penrith

This is a hotel that seems to have been added on to the front of a much older village inn that was in the farmhouse style still seen in some country pubs around here. The taller, more modern building is entered from the car park and beer garden that are screened from the road through the quiet valley of Matterdale by a hedge and some trees. The bar is quite a large room with carpeted floor to the left, modern-looking stone flags to the right. The bar counter is also modern, with wood panelling and four hand pumps. The ales available (see photo) were all from local breweries, which is good to see, though my Tirril 1823 Nut Brown Ale didn't pull up any trees as far as I was concerned - maybe it was a little tired. Date of visit: 5th May 2017

The Royal Hotel is just that, a hotel bar. In winter, if there are no residents the bar will close very early. The four handpumps have a variety of local beers (Keswick and Geltsdale while I was there) at an expensive £3.90 per pint. Good quality food available (until 8.30 the board outside states) but I would advise booking to ensure the Royal is open. It is difficult to see how the winter trade can support the 3 handpumps in use with limited opening, so quality will depend on recently the beer was tapped. It may be better in summer.