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Dockray Hall, Penrith
Penrith
CA11 7DE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Dockray Hall
hmm, weird. Pleasant old pub with some interesting features in both the bar and side rooms, but they need to sack their interior design team. Weird garish coloured furniture, limited seating due to a very poor use of space, and an absurd picture of a cat with sunglasses. This is Penrith, not Shoreditch. Two decent local ales on, Windermere IPA and Loweswater Gold, and service was okay but it felt a little pretentious to me.
On 11th December 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Dockray Hall
Interesting looking building that thankfully still has a characterful interior. The bar area in the centre has a slightly raised dining area to the right, one dining room to the left and another to the rear. Loweswater Gold from Cumbrian Ales and Tirril Windermere IPA (£3.80) from two of the three handpumps.
On 29th September 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about Dockray Hall
This was the best of the three pubs I ventured into in Penrith back in October 2017 in terms of real ale. Four hand pulls at the bar, all offering Cumbrian Legendary Ales - Vanilla Oatmeal Stout, Esthwaite Bitter, Mosaic and Loweswater Gold. I tried the Vanilla Oatmeal Stout and the Esthwaite Bitter, both at £1.75 for a half. About the same price as the Board & Elbow but much better beer.
Service was friendly. There does seem to be a focus on food but drinkers are also welcome. There are additional rooms to the left and rear of the pub which I did not investigate, so it's bigger than it initially looks.
Always good to try something new on the beer front, and with that in mind I would happily return to the Dockray Hall when next in Penrith.
On 11th July 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Dockray Hall
My first visit for more than five years and first since the change of name, too. Four ales from Cumbrian legendary Ales, as per previous reviewer, with the line-up on this occasion being Vanilla Oatmeal Stout, Mosaic, Loweswater Gold and Esthwaite Bitter. The pub seems food oriented to me, with not much atmosphere of an afternoon. My notes written at the time say "No background music. Feels much classier." Possibly the latter is the consequence of the former - who knows?
Date of visit: 5th May 2017
On 13th August 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3734 recommendations about 3471 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Dockray Hall
Apparently this place was refurbished earlier in the year so is presumably doing OK. It consists of a single split level room with wooden floors, chunky wooden furnishings and candles on the tables. There is a room at the rear that I didn't venture into so can't confirm if it still has a pool table. There were a few folk in on my early Wednesday evening visit. A moment of light relief occurred after an old decorative sherry or some other barrel that a buffoon thought would make a good bar stool collapsed under him.
The bar has four hand pumps which had four beers from the Cumbrian Legendary Brewery. These were Pacific Voyager, Langdale, Grasmere Dark and Loweswater Gold. I went for the Pacific Voyager (£3.40) which sadly was served in a stupid dimple jug that I didn't spot until it was too late. At least it was in good nick.
It's not really my sort of place but is worth a look for the Cumbrian Ales. It's GBG 2017 listed.
On 5th November 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Gloucester Arms
Previous review dated 30 December 2010:
This lovely old pub may be in danger of closing: there was a sign in the doorway thanking customers but saying this was "a bridge too far" for the present landlord, by which I understand that the pubco has put up the rent. This rambling old building dates from 1580 and the coat of arms above the door is that of Richard III, the much-maligned 'northern' king whose memory was traduced by the French-Welsh upstart Henry Tudor but whose good name lives on in the hearts and minds of, OK, just one or two people here in the north. There were four handpumps with beers from Coniston, Morecambe and Sheffield. Genuine old beams, ancient wood panelling, some very old settles and what I can only describe as an eclectic collection of tables all go to make this pub something special, and the friendly welcome from staff and customers alike only adds to the feeling of despair at the prospect of its closure. (I've reduced the overall mark because of the incongruous and totally unnecessary foreground music - no, that's not a typo for 'background'.)
Update: The pub appears to be going strong, presumably under new management. Unfortunately didn't have time for a drink here on my recent passage through Penrith, so the previous rating is unchanged.
On 27th December 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3734 recommendations about 3471 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Gloucester Arms
Nice little pub in the centre of Penrith. Has a good range of real ales, usually including Black Sheep and Timothy Taylors. Is quite family oriented during food service times and there can be brat problems when the tourists get in here. Much better later at night. Has a pool table and a quiz machine in a separate room. Always call in here when in Penrith.
On 25th June 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3223 recommendations about 3134 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Beddison left this review about Gloucester Arms
Called in there yesterday, tired and hungry strangers to Penrith, and it was a great choice. Friendly staff, and one of those pubs where you feel comfortable and 'at home' as soon as you walk in the door.
Food was hearty and delicious. Steak and Ale Pie, and Fish Pie both first rate. Nothing elaborate, just good food.
I can't speak for the beer, since we were both driving, otherwise I'd have happily stayed for a few jars.
On 5th November 2009
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2 recommendations about 2 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Carol Griffiths left this review about Gloucester Arms
Things have changed massively since Nicola Watson's review. Paul Mooney and his family run the pub, with wife Stella going full time soon. Comparatively new chef Stuart Langley is great, the food is brilliant and varied. The Gourmet Evening last week was a triumph - look out for the next one!
On 24th September 2009
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
mark stevens left this review about Gloucester Arms
This pub is excellent,Paul (Scouse)Mooney and his staff do a brilliant job. Food very good. Every time I visit it gets better. Try it, you may be surprised. Very friendly staff.
On 18th April 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]