The King’s Head (Thirlmere)

For old world charm in a remote location with sweeping views, take a trip to the King’s Head by Thirlmere reservoir. This ancient coaching inn brims with historic charm, packed with exposed beams, real fires, and cosy side rooms. In addition to a traditional style pub with real ale, this large inn also offers accommodation and a more formal restaurant.

Located on the A591, the inn overlooks Thirlmere, a stunning reservoir that is rarely visited but affords magnificent walking opportunities in the fells that encase it. In quieter periods, walkers are welcome to park here, providing they seek permission from staff before leaving their car.

Food & Drink

The inn serves four regular cask ales, all supplied by the Cumbrian brewery, Jennings, including their classic Cocker Hoop and Cumberland ales. There is also one guest ale that changes on a regular basis and there is a good range of draught and bottled beers and ciders. The bar stocks a substantial range of whiskies, gins, and spirits, including those created at local distilleries.

The wine list is impressive for a remote country inn with a choice of 48 wines from around the world – 11 of which are available to buy by the glass. For non-alcohol drinkers, there is a good choice of soft drinks, as well as barista style coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

The Menu

Food is available in the bar and the restaurant all day from noon until late. The all-day menu has a good selection of dishes, combining classic pub favourites, such as Cumberland sausage and chips or beef burgers with more modern choices such as superfood salads. There is also a set two or three course steak menu available from Monday to Saturday, and a Sunday Lunch menu with a choice of beef, pork, chicken, or salmon. Vegetarian options are also available.

Lighter bites including paninis and sandwiches are available, as is a mouth-watering selection of desserts, including Lakes Ice Cream. Most children would find something on the children’s menu to appease them. In the evenings, diners can also choose something from the more formal evening menu that includes options, such as pork medallions with whisky, orange, and ginger sauce.

Other Features

At one end of the bar, there is a shop selling a range of gifts. Here you will find items, such as Lakes Distillery Whisky, Hawkshead Chutneys, and other locally produced items such as cakes and biscuits. The pub has a small flat screen television opposite the bar, where football matches and other sporting events are occasionally discretely screened.

The pub has a large beer garden to the front of the building. Whilst it is adjacent to the road, it does offer magnificent views of the surrounding fells. Dogs are welcome in the bar area, but not in the main restaurant. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the pub.

Accommodation

The King’s Head has seventeen en-suite rooms – many of which offer unrivalled views of the fells. Standard single, twin, double and family (with one double and two single beds) rooms are available, along with superior four-poster rooms with a Victorian style bath for an extra special stay.

All rooms benefit from a television, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, and complimentary luxury toiletries. A full cooked breakfast is included in the room rate and many rooms also accept dogs for an additional charge.

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