A display case of fishing lures is the first tip-off, and then there's the pond itself -- yes, it's true, you can fish while you drink at the Drunken Duck, Barn Gates (tel. 01539/436347; www.drunkendockinn.co.uk). Or you can just sit on the front porch and gaze at Lake Windermere in the distance. Inside, you can choose from an assortment of cushioned settees, old pews, and tub or ladder-back chairs, and then order a beef filet in red-wine sauce or minted lamb casserole to go with a pint of Mitchell's Lancaster Bomber, Yates Bitter, or Yates Drunken Duck Bitter, brewed especially for the pub. If you want stronger spirits, there are more than a dozen malt whiskies to choose from. Main courses run to £14 to £25. If you wish to stay over, you can rent a comfortable double costing from £120 to £250.
Overlooking the central square of the village, the Kings Arms Pub in the Kings Arms Hotel (tel. 01539/436372; www.kingsarmshawkshead.co.uk) offers a pleasant front terrace and lots of plush leather-covered seating inside the cozy barroom. Traditional pub grub is supplemented with a few pasta dishes, burgers, and steaks. Ales include Greenall's Original, Tetley's, and Theakston's XB. Malt whiskies are also well represented.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
