Twa Dogs Inn
Brilliantly located for those who are ambling along the former Keswick railway line, the Twa Dogs Inn is located on the eastern edge of Keswick and is a ten-minute stroll from the town centre. This is a traditional style Lakeland pub that offers a warm welcome and a reasonable selection of real ale. The inn has a small number of guestrooms that offer good value for money and food is served here twice a day.
The inn is a past Keswick in Bloom winner thanks to its pretty floral beer garden. Inside, there is a games room and a unique collection of prints, football memorabilia, and a stuffed Cumbrian Bogart. This famous animal is half fox, half badger. It was once the subject of a short BBC film and apparently can be spotted roaming the sides of Skiddaw, though usually only on April 1st.
Food & Drink
The Twa Dogs Inn is a Jennings pub. In the summer, you can find up to five different real ales available here, all supplied by Jennings. In addition, the pub stocks a wide selection of wines, spirits, and soft drinks.
Food is served twice a day at the Twa Dogs Inn, between noon and 3pm and then again between 6pm and 9pm. The menu is typical of a classic English pub, featuring all the pub classics, including scampi, lasagne, gammon, and steak & ale pie. There are daily specials that offer a few more imaginative choices, and a couple of options for vegetarians. A roast dinner is available each Sunday with a choice of two meats. The pub also has a children’s menu with a varied selection of dishes.
Other Features
The pub welcomes dogs in all areas, including the restaurant and accommodation. In a side room of the pub, you will find a games room, housing a pool table, darts board, dominoes and other games. The room is adorned with football shirts from around the world.
There are three televisions located around the inn and it has a subscription to Sky Sports, enabling the pub to screen all the top matches and events. Every other Sunday, the Twa Dogs hosts an open mic afternoon where anyone can come along and perform. The pub also hosts events throughout the year to raise money for local charities. Outside, there is a large beer garden that is partly heated and covered with delightful floral displays.
History
The Twa Dogs Inn was built in 1967, on the site of another inn that was demolished but thought to date back to the 18th century, also called the Twa Dogs. It is believed that the name originates from the poem, Twa Dogs, written by Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Burns was a frequent visitor to Keswick. Today, the pub is best known for having the only specimen of the Cumbrian Bogart, a creature that is half fox, half badger, and featured heavily in the tall tales of Cumbrian pranksters.
Accommodation
The Twa Dogs has five guest rooms, all of which are en-suite. These rooms are somewhat dated in their appearance, but the price is considerably lower than other establishments in the area. There are three double rooms, one twin room, and one family room with one double and two single beds. Rooms are equipped with televisions, tea and coffee making facilities, and free Wi-Fi.
Breakfast is included in the room rate with a choice of cereals, toast, and a full cooked breakfast. Guests who prefer not to have a breakfast can receive a discounted evening meal if preferred. Packed lunches can be provided. The inn is on the coast to coast cycle route and secure bike storage is available.