The Royal Oak (Spark Bridge)

Spark Bridge, Ulverston, LA12 8BS
The Royal Oak (Spark Bridge) Outside

Located on the southern fringe of the Lake District, the Royal Oak is a cosy and traditional rural pub that welcomes walkers, families, dogs, cyclists, and overnight guests. The inn is located in Spark Bridge, a former bobbin mill village that features pretty white-washed cottages with easy access to the Lakeside and Haverthwaite heritage railway line.

Inside this 17th century inn, you will find charming interiors with a real open fire, and the bar serves locally brewed real ale and filling portions of home-cooked food.

Food & Drink

The Royal Oak (Spark Bridge) pub

The Royal Oak has an excellent choice of drinks available from behind the bar. Here you can sample a range of ales from local breweries and micro-breweries across Cumbria, such as Coniston Bluebird, Jennings Cumberland, and Hawkshead Best. In addition, the pub offers a number of premium lagers and ciders on draught. For those who prefer wine, there is a reasonable number of choices from around the world, including sparkling wines.

The pub has recently expanded its range of spirits and has a fabulous choice of gins available, including those created locally by Bedrock Gin and the Lakes Distillery. It also offers a number of whiskies, including two local varieties. You will also find a full cohort of soft drinks, mixers, and juices here.

Food is served evenings only on Mondays to Wednesdays, twice a day on Thursdays to Saturdays, and all afternoon on Sundays. The pub uses local and seasonal produce wherever possible and dishes are created on site. The menu is typical for a gasto-pub, mixing pub favourites such as steak and ale pie, with more imaginative British cuisine including wild boar sausages, guinea fowl breast, and lamb shank. There are a limited number of dishes suitable for vegetarians and children’s portions are available.

Other Features

Dogs are welcome at the Royal Oak throughout the pub. There is also a pleasant beer garden at the rear of the pub. The pub hosts regular live music nights, usually on a Saturday night, where local acts are invited to perform. The bar has a small selection of family board games available to play and the pub also has a separate games room with a pool table.

History

The Royal Oak dates back to the 17th century and before it was converted into a pub it was used to accommodate the manager of the village’s Bobbin Mill. The mill was one of several in the southern Lake District area creating bobbin threads for the cotton industry and when the house was converted to a pub in the 1800s it was a popular watering hole for the many workers at the mill. The mill closed in the 1970s and today Spark Bridge is a quiet village with several holiday cottages.

Accommodation

The Royal Oak (Spark Bridge) accommodation

The Royal Oak has three en-suite bedrooms and one cottage suite that features a bedroom, en-suite shower room, living room, and private decking area outside. All of the accommodation is equipped with a television, DVD player, free Wi-Fi, and tea and coffee making facilities.

Breakfast is included in the room rate and guests can choose between a cooked breakfast or something lighter, such as cereal and toast. Guests can also pre-order packed lunches – ideal if you are planning a full day of walking.

Map

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