An award-winning Keswick pub, which has become something of a shrine to the legendary guides book writer Alfred Wainwright, has been named among the best in Britain for walkers.
The Wainwright in Lake Road was ranked number five in Britain’s top 10 pubs as voted for by Trail magazine readers, and follows on from a silver award in 2020 from The Great Outdoors magazine.
The March edition of the UK’s best-selling hill walking magazine, hailed the pub’s friendly service, good food, lovely fireside and open door policy to dogs.
Manager Johan Pretorius, originally from a small village a few hours from Johannesburg, has run the pub for five-and-a-half years.
It follows a refurb and a name change from the Four In Hand by owners Kate and John Altram.
Johan, who has now clocked up 18 years in Keswick, said it serves eight local real ales, including the 4.2 per cent Friar’s Crag, which is specially-brewed for the pub at Tirril and of course takes its name from the viewpoint over Derwentwater.
Wainwright baggers on a quest of his 214 peaks, can also quench their thirst with a pint of golden ale named after the legend himself which is brewed in Wolverhampton.
In addition, the pub has recruited a new head chef, David Coleman as it builds on its reputation for good home-made grub.
A CAMRA member and also part of The Wainwright Society, its walls are covered in photographs, maps, newspaper articles and drawings of “A.W”.
The Old Dungeon Ghyll, Great Langdale, was second, with the Wasdale Head Inn taking bronze.
