The Punch Bowl (Barrows Green)
The Punch Bowl is a great place to stop at if you are travelling to or from the Lake District, being situated on the A65 that runs between the M6 and Kendal, and close to a number of attractions, including the Lakeland Maze Farm Park and Sizergh Castle.
This cosy, family run pub offers good food that has been sourced from local farms, real ale, roaring fires, and comfortable accommodation should you find yourself wanting to stay the night. The pub is also an excellent start and end point for a walk up the Helm – a small hill that gives fantastic panoramic views from the summit.
Food & Drink
Where possible, food prepared at the Punch Bowl is made using produce supplied by either Plumgarth’s Farm or Low Bendrigg Farm, both of which are within four-miles of the pub. Meals are prepared in the pub’s kitchens, so you won’t find pre-cooked microwaved dishes here. The menu is extensive, with all of the classic pub dishes covered. If you are feeling brave, give the Punch Bowl Massive Mixed Grill a try, with generous portions of steak, gammon, Cumberland sausage, chicken, and black pudding.
A traditional roast dinner is available on Sundays, whilst during the week there are themed nights, e.g. pizza night, burger night, curry night, etc. Those with special dietary requirements are extremely well catered for here, with extensive options for vegetarians and gluten-free. A children’s menu is also available with all of the usual favourites.
Real ale is available at the Punch Bowl. Alongside some permanent cask ales, the pub offers two guest ales that change each week and are chosen by local patrons. There is a good choice of wines, whiskies and spirits. The pub’s owner has also created a unique Kendal Mint Cake vodka that is available to drink in the pub or bottled to take away. This was apparently created using a recipe that the owner found in the loft in an envelope that had the words “Found in Barrows Green Cave, 1855, Mint Vodka Blend” scrawled onto it. The vodka can now be found in gift shops around Cumbria and an additional Gingerbread flavour has been added to the range.
Other Features
Outside of the pub, there is a small enclosed beer garden that is also adjacent to the road. There is a small number of children’s outdoor toys here. Inside you will find baby changing facilities and board games to help keep the children entertained.
For the grown-ups, there is a pool table and a darts board. Each Monday evening the pub hosts a pizza night with beer and pizza for £10 between 6pm and 9pm and this is followed by a very popular quiz at 9pm. Dogs are welcome in the bar and in the beer garden, but some of the dining rooms are out of bounds.
Accommodation
There are two double rooms available for short breaks at the Punch Bowl. Each room benefits from an en-suite shower room, complimentary toiletries, a flat screen television, free Wi-Fi, and a hospitality tray that includes bottled water and Kendal Mint Cake. In the mornings, breakfast can be taken at your leisure and is included in the room rate. Dogs cannot be accommodated.
Map
Other Pubs in and Around Kendal
- The Gate of Kendal
- The Wheatsheaf Inn (Brigsteer)
- The Wakefield Arms, Kendal
- The Station Inn (Oxenholme)
- The New Union (Kendal)
- The Heron (Kendal)
- The Globe Inn (Kendal)
- The George & Dragon (Kendal)
- The Factory Tap, Kendal
- The Castle Inn (Kendal)
- Romneys (Kendal)
- Ring O’ Bells (Kendal)
- The Punch Bowl Inn (Crosthwaite)
- The Miles Thompson (Kendal)
- Last Orders at the Clock Tower
- The Horse & Rainbow (Kendal)
- The Hare & Hounds (Levens)