Queens Head Inn  

The Queen's Head is only 2 miles from the M6 and A66 and is close to the Eden Valley and not that far form Brontes and Heriot country. The pub itself is in the centre of the village of Tirril on the edge of the Lake District National Park. It is a real English Country Inn, originally built in 1719 it has been in use as a Pub since, gathering bric a brac, memorabilia and character over the years.

The pub has two-foot thick stone walls keeping it cool in summer and holding in the heat of the roaring inglenook real fire in winter. Note the original meat hooks for smoking meats still in place - although not all of them - as local legend has it some are missing due to the unceremonious arrival of a plumber in the bar, who had shortly before been working in the airing cupboard above.

The Queen's Head was extended into the adjoining cottages this century, but this has done little to alter the traditional atmosphere and appearance of the Inn. Recently the original flagstone and floor boarded floors have been exposed in the bars adding to the oak beams and wooden settles.

On the walls there are sepia photographs and postcards showing Tirril and Ullswater over the years, these share the walls with hunting prints, horse brasses, farm tools, hunting horns and even a brass divers helmet. Rumour has it that some of the ornaments may well have been pilfered from nearby Lowther castle. Certainly Chinese watercolours, brass shells from the First World War and the proudly displayed Ostrich Egg are from further afield.

As for real ale the Queen's Head Inn has five real ale hand-pumps, previously being awarded a cask marque for beer and have been Westmorland CAMRA's pub of the season 1999. Beers always on come from the Tirril's own brewery (no longer on site). Also check out the 40 malt whiskies, with the likes of rare bottled vintage 1968 Glengoyne and 1964 Glen Keith.

Food is served here (lunch and evenings) from a hearty cooked breakfast to braised shoulder of Lakeland lamb in its own red currant gravy. There are plenty of home made dishes to choose from of all varieties and styles. They change the menu every three months, so come back and try something else, including choices for vegetarians (hazelnut fettuccini, Thai noodles, German harvest pastry, wild mushroom pancakes, hot and sweet Indonesian Gado Gado). Prices reflect an upmarket restaurant, but that does not put people off coming, so book if you want to eat in summer.

Accommodation here. There are 6 rooms mainly en-suite with 5 doubles and 2 twins one of witch doubles as a family room. Prices from £85 per room B&B double occupancy, £60 single. Discount for three nights or more.

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