The Bush (Cockermouth)

The small town of Cockermouth on the border of the western Lake District is home to Cumbria’s largest brewery, Jennings. Many of the pubs in the town are therefore part of the Jennings group, and the Bush Inn on Main Street is no exception. This ancient inn has a long history of providing refreshments to the town’s workers and, over the years, there have been numerous reports of paranormal activity in the inn.

Staff have reported hearing horses’ hooves in the area of the inn that was once used to stable horses, and the town’s popular ghost walks begin at the pub. Located in the very centre of Cockermouth, the Bush is a fine choice for visitors to sample locally brewed ale or grab a bite to eat. Inside, the pub has been completely refurbished following the 2015 floods, with great care taken to ensure the interiors retain the period character of the building.

Food & Drink

Fans of real ale will be pleased with the selection available at the Bush. The four regular cask ales are all produced less than half a mile away at the Jenning’s Brewery, and include their ever-popular Cumberland and Cocker Hoop varieties. In addition to the four regular ale,s you will find three guest ales, giving a fabulous choice of seven beers to choose from.

Guest ales are £3 per pint all day every day. If ale is not your drink of choice then there is a reasonable selection of wines available by the glass or bottle, as well as a good choice of spirits, including some lesser known drinks from around the world.

The Menu

Home cooked food is served at the Bush on Mondays to Fridays between 12pm and 2.30pm and then from 5.30pm until 8.30pm. During the weekend, food is only available at lunch times between noon and 3pm. The menu comprises of classic pub grub with favourites, such as fish and chips, scampi, Cumberland sausage, and of course, Steak and Jennings ale pie.

The Bush is a particularly good choice for those who are seeking a lighter meal at lunch time with a good choice of sandwiches and toasted sandwiches available. Roast dinners are available each Sunday, replacing the lunch time menu. For children, there is a small selection of children’s favourite dishes, such as fish fingers or macaroni cheese, or there is the option to have a smaller portion of one of the main menu dishes.

Other Features

The Bush has a television and a Sky Sports subscription and is able to screen most of the major sporting events. Live music evenings are held here around once a month showcasing some of the area’s talented artists. In addition, throughout the year, the pub hosts special events celebrating national holidays, such as Christmas, St Patrick’s Day, and Halloween. Lastly, the pub has a small beer garden to the rear.

History

The Bush Inn has a long history of serving ale to local workers in Cockermouth. It’s thought that a brew house has been located at the site for around 300 hundred years and in the 18th century the land behind the pub was occupied by weavers who would no doubt seek ale in the evenings after a long day of work. The first landlord registered was William Proctor in 1811 and it was around this time that the weaving industry was replaced with a timber yard.

Horses were led through the arch next to the pub to the yard behind, and it is the sound of these hooves that modern staff have reported hearing. The current landlord who took over in February 2015 grew up in the town and had his first pint in the pub. He has made a number of changes to the pub, including the introduction of a food service, and most notably, overseeing the full refurbishment that was required following the floods of 2015.

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