The Newfield Inn (Seathwaite)

The Newfield Inn is perhaps the definition of a cosy and quaint Lake District inn. Tucked away in one of the most remote corners of the Lake District, the inn is located in the tiny village of Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley between Eskdale and Coniston Water.

Dating back to the 16th century, the inn oozes with period charm, featuring exposed beams, slate flooring, and a roaring fire in the winter months. Despite its remote location, the inn serves as a social hub for those living in or visiting the Duddon Valley with regular folk nights, a monthly quiz night, and even an annual mini music festival.

Food & Drink

The Newfield Inn has four handpumps for real ale, and the pub offers a changing selection of guest ales, usually sourced from Cumbrian breweries, including the Ulverston Brewing Company and the Dent Brewery. The small, but well stocked bar also has a selection of draught and bottled beers, lagers, and ciders. There is a wine list that is fairly decent for a pub of this size and reasonably priced. You will also find the usual selection of spirits, soft drinks, and teas and coffees here.

Food is generally served every day from noon until 9pm, but it’s worth checking in advance if you are planning to visit during the winter months as these times can vary in the low season. On Saturdays and Sundays, booking a table in advance is recommended as it can get very busy. The menu changes with the seasons and uses local produce where possible, with many dishes cooked to order. Until 6pm, the pub offers a selection of hot and cold sandwiches, whilst the rest of the menu features typical pub grub with a northern flair.

Think tatie pots, pie and mash, and Cumberland sausage. It isn’t fancy, but it’s wholesome homecooked food and you certainly won’t leave feeling hungry. There’s a limited selection on the main menu for vegetarians, though daily specials do offer a bit more choice with a few more imaginative dishes. Children have a small number of choices to choose from, but if they prefer, they can also request smaller portions of many dishes from the main menu.

Other Features

Dogs are welcome in the Newfield inn with very few restrictions. The pub hosts a monthly quiz night, usually on a Wednesday evening, with the date for each month announced on the pub’s Facebook page. The pub also hosts regular folk music nights and other live band performances. Once a year, the pub hosts a mini music festival.

Outside, there is a good sized beer garden with some covered seating and a grassed area where children can play. It has some delightful views of the southern fells.

History

The Newfield Inn dates back to the 16th century. In 1804, William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, stayed at the inn whilst visiting the Duddon Valley, giving him inspiration to write 35 sonnets about the area, celebrating the idyllic nature of the valley. However, it hasn’t always been peaceful.

In 1904, construction began on the dam to create Seathwaite Tarn in order to supply Barrow-In-Furness with water. The men working on the dam frequented the Newfield Inn but one night they became particularly rowdy and the landlord refused to serve them any more alcohol. According to reports, around 50 of the men began to riot, laying siege to the inn. In the chaos that followed, three of the rioters were shot by inn staff, and one died as a result of his injuries.

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