As testament to its vital role in local life, this amazingly cheery, family-run boozer was named runner-up in Britain’s Friendliest Business Award 2014: the owners prepare ‘meals on wheels’ twice a
week, raise money for the local netball team, host Age Concern lunches, organise quizzes and will even give punters a lift back home if they are stranded. Sibling licensees Charlotte and Richard
Jones are also right on the menu when it comes to feeding and watering their customers, offering a crowd-pleasing line-up of char-grilled ciabattas, sandwiches, pub classics (Cumberland sausages,
honey-glazed ham etc), Sunday roasts and even fish and chips to take away. Meanwhile, ales from Thwaites line up alongside brews from Cumbrian stars such as the Ulverston Brewing co, Coniston,
Foxfield and Hawkshead. There are some decent-value wines too.