Cross Keys Inn Carleton Village (Penrith)

Located on the eastern edge of Penrith, close to the ruins of Brougham Castle, the Cross Keys Inn at Carleton Village is a traditional country inn that has a good reputation for its food. The inn once providing rest for the drovers that brought their Kyloes cattle down from Scotland into England to be sold at markets.

Nowadays, the inn draws a different crowd of those travelling along the A66 between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, and those who live in the surrounding area and are seeking good, locally sourced food. The inn is part of the Kyloes group of inns and restaurants who are keen to promote the use of local produce.

Food & Drink

The inn serves two cask ales and a number of draught beers. The inn’s landlord goes to great lengths to source unusual beers for customers to try with many local beers making an appearance alongside those from micro-breweries around the country. Eden Brewery has created a special brew for the Kyloes group, aptly named Kyloes Kushie, and this makes a regular appearance behind the bar. The pub has over 25 varieties of wine, with a good number available by the glass and a couple of sparkling varieties for those extra special occasions. You will also find a wide selection of spirits, and for non-alcoholic drinkers, there is a good choice of soft drinks, as well as teas and coffees.

Food is served twice a day at the Cross Keys Inn from noon until 2.30pm and then again from 6pm until 9pm (starting at 5.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays). The menu changes with the seasons and relies heavily on the availability of local produce. Diners can opt for steak from the Kyloes breed of cattle, or perhaps choose one of the traditional pub favourites, such as Cumberland sausage & mash. For fans of burgers, there is a good choice available and if you can’t decide then you can get a burger platter with three 3oz burgers of your choice. Weekly specials offer even more imaginative choices that are internationally inspired and there are a range of options for vegetarians. On Sundays, a traditional roast dinner is served with a choice of either beef or pork. The children’s menu features all the usual suspects.

Other Features

The pub has a pool table, darts board, and dominos, and local teams meet in the pub to practice these three sports. The inn is split into two levels with dogs welcome in the downstairs bar area, but not in the upstairs restaurant. On the upper floor, there is an external terrace with seating, as well as seating on the ground outside the pub.

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