The Ruddings, Keswick

Facebook page of The Ruddings - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Ruddings - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Ruddings - www.theruddingshotel.co.uk

Official site of The Ruddings - www.theruddingshotel.co.uk

Doing 44 Pubs across the Lake District on the Inn Way. Unfortunately, this was the worst. Of course, it was in the Good Beer Guide too. Kind of a bar tacked onto the end of a hotel dining area. Three real ales on and I went for a Fell Brewery IPA which was probably too strong (even for me) at over 6%. It was also cloudy, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Not real atmosphere. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2rrGzDd

A former guest house or small hotel, built around the turn of the last century, with extensions added on in more recent years. These include a dining room and, as what seems like a bit of an afterthought, a bar. Although the pub's own website concentrates on the food and the rooms, the landlord is a real ale enthusiast and is rightly proud of the pub's listing in the Good Beer Guide. There are four hand pumps, one with a cider and, on my visit, two ales from local breweries: Cumberland Corby Blonde and Ennerdale Blonde. Other pump clips, all from local breweries, adorn the walls, along with a selection of rather nice prints with a theme of children playing, but the bar is a little short of a genuine pub atmosphere, especially when there's a lively lunch party going on in the dining room. Thankfully, though, there is no "background" music. Entry from the car park is by steps or ramp: follow the signs saying "lounge bar & restaurant" but don't be put off when the next door says "reception", just go through and turn left for the bar. The dining room has another door into the garden, with views towards Skiddaw, but this is locked in winter. In summer, the garden's drawback would be the proximity of the busy A66.