Summer Pub of the Season: The Kirkstile, Loweswater


Telephone: 01900 85219

In addition to coming second in our Pub of the Year vote, the Kirkstile was also voted Summer Pub of the Season. The Kirkstile is a historic lakeland inn, the oldest part dates back to 1549 and is thought to be originally a single storey farmhouse known as 'Kirkstall'. As a farm it probably always brewed and served beer. It was subsequently extended in the 18th century; a beam upstairs has the date 1773 carved into it. Until about 35 years ago the bar was in what is now the residents' lounge, and a stone spiral staircase still leads somewhat precariously down into the original cellar. At least 4 generations of the Stagg family have been involved in running the Kirkstile; Rachel Nicholson who currently works there is the great granddaughter of William Stagg who was licensee for many years.

It has always been a popular inn not least because of its setting next to Loweswater Kirk', in the shadow of Melbreak in the Western fells. It has a long association with the Melbreak foxhounds, a traditional Lakeland foot hunt. The local farmers hold a discussion group alternate Monday evenings through the winter. However the inn's fortunes have been mixed in the last few years - until it was bought by Roger and Helen Humphreys, that is. Roger and Helen had previously run a successful guest house, the Old Vicarage, in Lorton and in 2000, when the Kirkstile came on the market, decided to move up a gear.

From the first Roger demonstrated his enthusiasm for real ale when he came along to the 2000 Cockermouth Beer festival, sampled some beers, met a number of branch members and joined CAMRA. He decided to continue with Jennings Bitter and Cumberland, but experimented with a third Cumbrian beer, the award-winning Coniston Bluebird. This has been his best selling beer and so successful that from Easter 2002 he has started selling a Yates beer; this is either one of the Yates seasonal beers or another beer from the Yates' range such as XB (ABV 4.5%). Sarah Steel has been the bar manager for two years, and says that having weathered the Foot and Mouth crisis last year, they are finding trade much busier this year.

Landlord, Roger with bar manager, Sarah


There is now a team of four chefs headed by Malcolm Mavin and Dean Naylor, who have both worked at a number of Lake District hotels and restaurants. Meals can be taken either in the bar or, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, the dining room is open, with a separate menu. This is the oldest part of the inn and boasts a traditional fireplace and magnificent carved wooden cupboard set into the wall. The Kirkstile serves a range of home cooked food: specialities include local trout and locally smoked salmon, Lakeland beef and lamb, and a vegetarian selection. All the puddings are home made.

Accommodation is provided upstairs in the main inn where roof beams jut interestingly into some of the rooms. In converted outbuildings, family suites are also available.

The current bar area was created out of the byres next to the farmhouse, and the bare stone walls have been retained. The Kirkstile has supported fundraising by Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and the local school. On the first Friday of the month there is usually (please phone to check) jazz in the bar, from a local trio, headed by Stan Foster. The pub is a perfect place for a summer pint; it has a gently sloping garden which catches the sun and looks over to the fells. It's also close to Crummock water, a favourite spot for gentle afternoon strolls. In the winter, original wooden beams and open fire give the atmosphere of a classic country pub. It's no wonder that CAMRA members have voted it their Pub of the Season this summer. The certificate was presented to the Kirkstile at 3pm on Saturday 29th June. This picture was taken by Stan Palmer for the Times & Star