The Lakes’ calm quarter
The Kirkstile Inn, Lake District
If you don’t believe the Lake District has quiet bits, come to the Kirkstile.
Nestled in the north-western corner of the national park, there’s no getting round the fact it’s a bit of a wiggle to get to – and that’s the main reason it’s quiet. Let the crowds gather in Keswick or Glenridding or Ambleside; here is where the Lakes calms right down.
And there’s so much to love here: two gorgeous lakes – Loweswater to the north-west and Crummock Water to the south; fascinating and less-explored fells like Fellbarrow, Mellbreak (inset) and Grasmoor; and proud heritage: writer, photographer and climbing pioneer Walter Poucher loved it here.
Being remote, the Kirkstile is a pub that always works hard to please. Seamlessly blending Cumbrian character with an elegant modern refurb, it’s also the original home of the Cumbrian Ales brewery. The beer might be brewed down at Hawkshead these days, but its heart is here – and the locally-inspired Loweswater Gold is still its flagship creation.
WALK HERE: Turn to Walk 15 MORE INFO: kirkstile.com; 01900 85219