Assessment: The King’s Arms, Hawkshead, Lake District, UK

A haven for locals and guests for generations, The King’s Arms takes centre stage within the Lake District village of Hawkshead. The whitewashed partitions of this Seventeenth-century teaching inn are an image postcard scene, regardless of the Cumbrian climate occurs to throw at you. And, after an intensive, sympathetic renovation, the inn reopened its doorways in August of this 12 months, entering into a brand new chapter that honours its previous whereas making room for up to date consolation.

The refurbishment is unapologetically native in spirit — led by Cumbrian tradespeople, respectful of oak beams, stone fireplaces and slate flooring, and shepherded by proprietor Jo McGowan, it’s given Hawkshead a pub that actually belongs to the neighborhood. The result’s traditional and calm: a spot that appears conventional in photographs however feels recent in apply.

The welcome

A part of Hawkshead’s appeal is that its centre has been largely car-free for over 50 years now. Most guests make use of the pay-and-display automobile park on the sting of the village. We’d discovered upfront that parking permits are issued to company staying at The King’s Arms for the automobile park simply reverse, so popped in to gather one earlier than heading to the automobile park. We have been warmly greeted on arrival on the bar, provided a allow and invited to go away our baggage whereas we parked. We have been travelling calmly in order that wasn’t obligatory however have been kindly provided assist as soon as once more when returning, earlier than being personally proven to our room.

The room

The King’s Arms now homes eight individually designed en suite bedrooms, every with a regal identify and interiors that nod to conventional nation fashion whereas delivering trendy consolation. Three rooms — Charles, William and George — have been out there on the time of our keep, with the remaining 5 – Arthur, Edward, Henry, James and Richard – on account of open across the busy Hawkshead Christmas Honest weekend. Crisp linen, Nespresso machines, Sensible TVs and native toiletries are offered as customary — small attentions that make a distinction after a day exploring the fells.

We stayed in Charles, swathed in color and with tasteful interval items, from the furnishings to Self-importance Honest-style caricatures on the partitions. One of many highlights of the room is a beneficiant window seat which appears out over the village sq., the place you may chill out, learn a ebook, take a look at a map for the day that lies forward, or just watch the world go by.

The toilet

Compact and vivid, the en-suite makes environment friendly use of the out there house. There’s a robust drench bathe with a water stress that might simply outpace the wildest of Lake District storms, basin and WC.

The toiletries are regionally sourced from Pure Lakes, a Far Sawrey maker of handmade, pure skincare that has made its means into a lot of the county’s luxurious lodges (see their soap-making course in our ‘10 issues to do on a wet day within the Lake District‘ submit).

The amenities

The rebooted King’s Arms wears its native credentials proudly. It’s not a tied home, which implies the bar can showcase rotating brews from Cumbrian breweries — a very good resolution for a pub within the coronary heart of the Lakes. A daily pour is Loweswater Gold from Cumbrian Ales, a previous winner of CAMRA’s cask model of Champion Golden Ale of Britain, while different visitor ales seem on rotational foundation.

Meals-wise, Head Chef Ross Bowman has created a menu constructed from the closest components, supporting farmers, butchers, dairies and producers inside Cumbria.

Count on pub classics elevated by approach and high quality.

We ate their each evenings, sampling a beneficiant number of dishes, together with starters of poached smoked haddock with saffron velouté and hand-baked focaccia, a wonderfully seasoned Cumberland scotch egg with do-it-yourself brown sauce, and delicate king scallops with kashmiri sauce and chive oil.

Mains have been exactly what you need in a rustic inn: a beef brisket pie with an Eden Sundown Cheddar crust, slow-cooked beef cheek with parsnip purée, and a rooster ballotine served with corn purée and chorizo relish.

For dessert, strive the Cranachan cheesecake, oaty snap biscuit, raspberry meringue and raspberry gelato.

Breakfast is ordered the night earlier than with choices from a full cooked breakfast to Eggs Hemingway or lighter plates.

We had an fascinating chat with a member of the entrance of home crew who commented that extending breakfast past simply residents was a delicate subject, as they don’t need to full with the village’s much-loved cafés, as a result of it’s important that every one companies are in a position to co-exist symbiotically, with every having their very own function that helps Hawkshead’s delicate ecosystem.

The situation

Hawkshead is a type of Lake District villages that appears to have been constructed from an illustrator’s happiest concept of England: slim lanes, whitewashed cottages, and a scattering of unbiased outlets and tea rooms. The Wordsworth connections add a literary air; wander off from the sq. and also you’ll discover tearooms, craft outlets, the church, and, conveniently, the Hawkshead Relish Firm virtually subsequent door and Ann Tyson’s across the nook.

The King’s Arms is completely positioned for brief riverside rambles, Tarn Hows, and longer fell walks. We had deliberate to stroll Black Fell and revisit Tarn Hows, however the hills have been gray, moist and visibility was poor — Lake District climate doing precisely what it’s meant to. Plan B noticed us head for Skelwith Bridge which we take a brief riverside stroll to Skelwith Drive, which was showcasing the total drive of nature’s energy.

We stopped at Chesters by the River, a vegetarian café, for a cauliflower bhaji sandwich with mint & coriander chutney and tamarind chutney, and a sticky carrot cake to observe – shared in order that we may nonetheless get pleasure from one other beautiful meal at The King’s Arms within the night

Different good touches

On the King’s Arms, there are many small issues that collectively present they care about making a relaxed, casual environment – from the tea and low welcome tray, complimentary water and do-it-yourself biscuits on arrival, or the number of board video games within the bar (chess, backgammon, Join 4).

However there are different extra structural components that additionally make a distinction – unique options have been retained the place it counts: uncovered beams, a comfortable stone fire and even an outdated nicely on the again door — particulars that make sure the inn retains its sense of historical past.

The price

Rooms begin from £112 per evening out of season to about £175 per evening in excessive season.

One of the best bit

The King’s Arms manages to seek out that completely happy center floor of being each polished and unpretentious. Nicely-made meals, thought-about interiors, and a bar that is aware of its ales — but additionally a spot the place you may present up with muddy boots and nonetheless be made to really feel fully welcome. It’s hospitality with out airs and graces – consolation that doesn’t really feel too stuffy. That extraordinary steadiness is one thing the inn has seemingly achieved with ease, however has little question not been with out plenty of arduous work.

The ultimate verdict

The King’s Arms’ reopening marks a tidy, well-crafted new chapter for an already beloved Hawkshead establishment. The renovation is demonstrably respectful — unique options retained, native craftspeople engaged, and smart up to date comforts launched. Whether or not you’re popping in for a pint, calling for dinner, or staying the evening, this gem offers an authentically Lakeland expertise: heat, native and really a lot a part of the village’s social cloth.

Dislcosure: Our keep was sponsored by The Kings Arms.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxurious Journey Weblog and has labored within the journey trade for greater than 30 years. He’s Winner of the Improvements in Journey ‘Greatest Journey Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. Along with different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of many world’s greatest journey blogs” and “greatest for luxurious” by The Telegraph.