The pub stands prominently on the road through Boot, only a couple of minutes' walk from the Ratty's Dalegarth terminus. Boot is a great base for a walking holiday (see Spring 2001 edition of What Ales?). The charms of the beautiful Eskdale valley are much appreciated by West Cumbrians, but fortunately escapes the huge numbers of tourists who visit other more accessible parts of the Lake District.
The pub has been owned and run for over four years by the Thornley family: Trevor and Christine, daughter Sarah, son Gareth and his wife Lesley. With Gareth and Lesley's daughter Emma, there are three generations of the family living at the inn; Christine's mother Beatrice also lived there until recently making it four. Gareth and Sarah are joint licensees; Gareth is a photographic technician by trade and Sarah trained as an accountant but they got into the pub trade after Gareth took a job in the kitchen at the Junction in Otley, a favourite CAMRA pub which regularly features in the Good Beer Guide. They took a tea room in Ilkley, where Sarah also joined them. Somehow the idea of taking on a pub as a venture for the whole family took root, and they started looking around. Luckily for us, they found the Brook House on the market and quietly set about transforming it from an unremarkable village local to a bustling pub with a terrific choice of real ale and delicious food.
The pub itself dates back to 1888, and it was built as a guest house to cater for drovers on the route between the West coast and the central lakes. Boot village also marks the destination of one of the Lake District's coffin routes, as the village graveyard served the villages in neighbouring valleys such as Wasdale. The pub remained a hotel and tea room, until the early 1990s when the Poachers bar was built onto the side.
There is a choice of rooms to drink in; the large airy bar is constructed in traditional barn style. The walls are adorned with hand painted wild flowers and old photos of Eskdale; the Poachers theme is reflected in a collection of stuffed animals. Tables consist of great slabs of wood; place mats are carefully adjusted to take account of the curves in the table tops. There is also a smaller room, part of the original building and a smoke free dining area. In summer you can sit at tables outside the front door and take in the view across the valley; in winter open fires and a wood burning stove keep the place cosy.
The pub offers accommodation in eight en suite rooms. Food ranges from bar snacks such as homemade pizzas, to a mouthwatering choice of bar meals, including vegetarian meals which put the usual choice of veggie lasagne or broccoli bake to shame. Meat is from local butchers such as Bewleys of Bootle.
The family share out the various tasks: CAMRA member Gareth is the first chef; Sarah is second chef and Chris also contributes to the pudding menu. Trevor runs the cellar and bar, aided by Lesley and Chris. Sarah is responsible for administration and finances. Sarah, Gareth and Trevor all have a say in choosing the beers. There are normally five ales on offer including a beer from Cumbrian breweries Jennings, Hesket Newmarket, Yates, Dent or Derwent as well as Timothy Taylor's (the Yorkshire connection) and Theakston's. Guest beers are sourced from all over the country; in addition 101 malt whiskies and a selection of bottled beers are available.
In response to the foot and mouth outbreak last year, the Brook House Inn helped to organise the Boot beer festivals. The main one takes place in early June when 60 beers are available over the weekend between the three pubs (the Burnmoor Inn and the Woolpack being the other two); the Brook House's offerings included Bank Top Smoke Stack Lightning and Brydge Bitter; Wye Valley Hereford Pale Ale; Durham White Velvet; Hydes Jekyll's Gold; Slaters Top Totty; Hambleton Nightmare; Oakham JHB as well as local brews. A second winter ales festival is held in November 23rd and 24th.
The Thornley family were presented with the branch's Pub of the Season award for Autumn 2002 on Saturday September 21st. 10 members, 2 children and a dog attended the happy occasion, which took place outside in the warm sunshine of a late summer day, some having travelled on the Ratty to get there.
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