STAVELEY.

A white fronted building in a small village just east of Windermere. The Eagle and Child is also not too far from the Watermill at Ings. Combining these two pubs is well worth the trip as between them they serve good food, good ales and good accommodation. You can enter from both te front and rear car park. If you don't like walking in on the crush, then from the rear by the toilets is the best. The bar is in the room on the left as you look at the the pub. It is a light wood affair that is quite high. On it you will find up to five hand pumps and some lager fonts. The guest ales on at the time came from local breweries. All beers were well kept and served. They even do some Belgian beers from the bottle if you have tried all the ales on offer. The decor is modern with a mixture of bare floors and carpet. Seating is at different shaped tables and a mixture of benches chairs and stools. This pub has many nooks and crannies to hide in or to enjoy the company of friends. The second drinking area winds its way past the real fire with large mirror overhead, to the right of the pub. Here there are more tables and chairs and local pictures on the walls. The atmosphere here is very good and friendly and not too smokey, though there isn't a no smoking area. Food (choices for vegetarians) is served here lunch and evening and it is good quality home made food. Prices are average, but portions filling. There is also a function room for wedding and parties upstairs. It has a high medieval style ceiling with light fittings and beams. There is also a real fire here for winter and if you stay overnight it's also where you have breakfast - a vegetarian option is also available. Talking of which there are 5 rooms which are all good sized and have en-suite facilities. Some are at the front, but it is not too noisy to be honest. We found it when the Watermill was full. We took the opportunity to walk to Ings, but would not recommend it without a torch at night. Accommodation prices are: single £35, double £55, family from £60. They do special offers of dinner B&B for £35pp, though check beforehand as they often do better offers than that. For the summer there is a beer garden with benches and trees. There is also a beer garden next to the river across the road - can get busy in summer so watch the kids. The strain station is up the road and a regular bus between Kendal and Keswick stops outside.