Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Reviewing milestone with ROBCamra
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Howard Arms, Carlisle
Carlisle
CA3 8ED
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Howard Arms
I can remember coming here with some of my Luton Town mates - perhaps in the early 2010s - when this was clearly the best pub in Carlisle. The beautiful tiled front and the well-preserved interior are much as I remember, but in those days it was hard to see the interior features for all the drinkers crowding into it. These days, it's all features and no crowds. When I came in I saw a hand-written pump clip on the bar in the right hand side, but no one serving. So I went into the left hand side, where there was no beer on, just Theakstons Best Bitter and Wainwright turned around. Eventually someone turned up and I had a half of hand-written Robinsons Dizzy Blonde, in reasonable condition but not to my taste, which I drank in the back room while looking around at not just the originally features but some of the interesting or quirky displays on the walls and shelves. A few customers had sat in the small yard at the back, but otherwise it remained pretty quiet while I was here. I hope it's busier at the weekend - to be fair, this was a Monday afternoon.
Date of visit: 11th July 2022
On 7th August 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3762 recommendations about 3495 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Howard Arms
An old state managed pub with a lovely exterior, and the multi roomed layout inside is nice too. Certainly has been modernised but it still feels like a traditional pub in style and the piano in the bar is a nice touch. Shame about the ale selection, standard nationals only (Theakstons, Wainwrights etc…), but I suppose we can blame the pubco for that.
On 11th December 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Howard Arms
Multi spaced / roomed pub, hard to tell as I got whisked round into some add on bit at the back due to plague. The older front rooms were fully occupied with punters, some of whom might have been observing social distancing. The lads in the back didn’t but as there were only four of them it’s ok. From what I could see it had a decent interior to match the outstanding exterior. A couple of hand pulls in operation but a mundane choice in these days of plague. Details recorded on paper but not secured enough for my liking.
On 20th September 2020
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3276 recommendations about 2982 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Howard Arms
This is a fine old multi-roomed pub that wasn't packed when visiting on an early Saturday afternoon.
The centrally situated bar has three hand pumps which on my visit had Theakston's Best, Robinson's Dizzy Blonde and Shepherd Neame Rudolph's Reward. I thought this was a rather bland selection (the Shep's Xmas ale is 3.7%) but the Dizzy Blonde (£3.00) was in very good nick.
This was the best of the three "proper" pubs visited in Carlisle.
On 30th November 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Howard Arms
Doesn't seem to be well known, but this is a great little pub located towards the north end of Lowther Street. Attractive tiled façade, and a traditional multi-room layout that has only been partially opened out. Great atmosphere on a Saturday night, with both customers and staff obviously having a good time. A pair of handpumps in each bar, with each offering Theakston Best and Wainwright (£2.90). Well worth seeking out.
On 9th March 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about Howard Arms
Very impressive pub with beautiful tiled exterior and is in the 2010 Good Beer Guide. Loved the interior with lots of rooms radiating from the horseshoe bar. Friendly staff and I enjoyed the Lancater Blonde here.
On 26th August 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]