Masons Arms

The well-loved Masons Arms is a Cumbrian classic. Perched on the hillside with Lakeland views in all directions, the setting is glorious & the interior, made up of a series of quaint, unspoilt farmhouse rooms, is equally inspiring. A big open fire, sagging ceiling beams & simple country furniture greet you in the main bar, while elsewhere, several cottage-style anterooms offer old pews, oak tables & some fine Jacobean panelling. There’s a mind-boggling array of drinks: malty brews from the local Hawkshead Brewery, an impressive range of foreign bottled beers, & locally made damson gin. If you fancy a sandwich, there’s hot roast beef & horseradish ciabatta, or for a more substantial meal, start with Cumbrian duck sausage & black pudding salad, & follow with hearty mains of beef & ale pie, or lamb. Make sure to save room for the famous Cartmel sticky toffee pud & phone ahead for directions as the pub is fiendishly difficult to find.