ESKDALE.

Brook House Inn is situated in the heart of the lake district, somewhere between Coniston and Wastwater, in the beautiful, unspoilt valley of Eskdale at Boot. It is the ideal base to explore the spectacular unspoilt western fells and valleys. There is a warm welcome from the Thornley family when you arrive and you can feel very much at home winter or summer. The real ales here are well kept and include Taylors Landlord Theakstons Best and a range of guest beers from around Cumbria such as Coniston Bluebird, Hesket Newmarket Catbells Pale Ale and Jennings Cocker Hoop. They keep 5 real ales on in the summer and holiday times, dropping to 3 in winter. Occasional beer festivals are held here too. Food is served all day and includes vegetarians option, look out also for the specials. Examples are Greek Salad £3.45 and Pan Fried Chicken £8.90. A varied wine list is also available for the non-beer drinkers. The inn is a good place to explore the Lake District. The hotel part has eight bedrooms all with en-suite facilities including a bath and shower. E-mail: stay@brookhouseinn.co.uk.

This is a Country Inn & Restaurant in the old style. The pub itself is a centuries old traditional Lakeland inn, standing at the heart of one England's finest valleys. The inn stands on the crossroads joining Hard Knott and Wrynose with Ulpha and Wasdale. With the oldest parts possibly standing since Roman times the inn retains the 'old world' character expected in an inn of its age. Flagged floors, open fires, oak beams, low ceilings and real cask ales. Recent refurbishment has meant food can now be served in the comfortable surroundings of the restaurant. The pub prides itself on its fresh home-cooked fayre, from a traditional Cumbrian breakfast to Bar Snacks and a full 'a la carte' restaurant service. Daily changing specials boards complement a fine range of real ales, world wide wines and an extensive collection of over 200 malt whiskies. This investment has also meant extension of accommodation Rating and luxuriously appointed "en suite" bedrooms, without detracting from the original character. Rates start from just £21.00 per person B&B. Eskdale is also good walking country with a network of old roads based on Roman routes. England's highest mountain is around these parts too. Plenty to see and do in the vicinity, ask the landlord.