The Royal Oak Inn (Cartmel)

The Square, Cartmel, LA11 6QB
The Royal Oak Inn (Cartmel) Outside

The Royal Oak Inn in Cartmel perhaps epitomises a traditional English inn. The rustic interiors feature low beamed ceilings (so low in places that tall people need to take note!), flagstone floors, roaring open fires, exposed brickwork, and a mixture of sturdy wooden furnishings and comfortable leather Chesterton style armchairs. It’s brimming with character, charm, and atmosphere.

The inn is located in the centre of Cartmel, just a few minutes’ walk from the historic racecourse and around a ten-minute drive from the shore of Lake Windermere. Cartmel is known for its extraordinary cuisine, with Michelin starred restaurant, L’Enclume, just around the corner from the inn, and the Royal Oak does not disappoint in this area.

Food & Drink

The Royal Oak Inn (Cartmel) pub

No traditional pub would be complete without a good selection of real ale, and at the Royal Oak Inn you will find four regular ales, all produced in Cumbria, including Unsworth's Yard Sir Edgar Harrington's Last Wolf ale that is created in the Unsworth’s Yard brewery just metres from the Royal Oak. A fifth pump is reserved for a changing ale. The wine list is adequate and reasonably priced, and there is a good selection of gins, whiskies, and spirits. Illy coffee is also served here.

The Menu

Food, including breakfast, is served all day at the Royal Oak from 10am until late. Booking a table is highly recommended, especially during the summer. The portions are generous, though lighter options are available. In the mornings, a full Cumbrian breakfast is available to residents and members of the public, along with an excellent selection of home made breakfast muffins.

A lunch time menu is available from noon until 5pm with a fabulous selection of sandwiches and light meals. Alternatively, the full menu is also available from noon until late, and the choice is extensive. The menu combines classic British pub style cuisine with some Italian inspired dishes, including stone baked pizzas freshly prepared to order. There is a children’s menu with all the usual suspects, as well as options for vegetarians.

Other Features

The Royal Oak Inn (Cartmel) beer garden

The Royal Oak has an impressive beer garden with a stream running through it and a wishing well. In the summer months, especially on race weekends, the inn often has a marquee in the garden with an outdoor bar and BBQ in operation. The marquee is also often accompanied with live music performances. The marquee can also be hired for private functions. The inn has a television in the bar area where there is a large TV with Sky Sports, showing all of the major sporting events.

Accommodation

The Royal Oak Inn (Cartmel) accommodation

The Royal Oak has a small number of rooms for overnight accommodation above the pub. These rooms retain the rustic charm of the inn below, with low beamed ceilings and antique style furniture. The cosy rooms benefit from en-suite shower rooms, flat screen televisions, and tea and coffee making facilities. Wi-Fi is available but due to the historic nature of the building a signal may not reach all rooms. A full cooked breakfast is included in the room rate.

Map

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