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Heritage Pub

Ring O' Bells, Kendal

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A basic old town pub beside the Parish Church near the river Kent that is appreciated for nurturing its beer-loving community of regulars and tourists. Something of a time warp, visitors enjoy the seasonal real fires while engaging with local characters and their dogs. Up to six cask beers and a few keg lines. Weekly quiz in winter and occasional live music. The monthly karaoke is proving very popular.

Food served seasonally according to demand so check social media for times.

Historic Interest

Built 1741 for Thomas Barker, church sexton and one of a handful of remaining pubs in England to be built on consecrated land. Has three rooms, including a tiny snug. The central lobby still has its off-sales hatch and a piece of Victorian bench seating in the bar room. There was a small draught screen affixed to the counter which was removed about 30 years ago. The bar walls are half panelled. The snug has a partition wall on the bar side, an old hatch, old half panelled walls. On the external windows in the lounge bar are various inscriptions - one is dated 1824.

Information for this venue is provided by the Westmorland (Solway Sub Branch) Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
South Lakeland
Last updated
25/04/2024
Last surveyed
11/09/2023
Pub ID
KEN/950
Asset of Community Value

Two star - A pub interior of very special national historic interest

Listed status: II

Dating from the early 18th century, this is reputedly the only pub in England built on consecrated ground (it is adjacent to the parish church). The lobby retains its off-sales hatch and a portion of Victorian bench seating whilst the bar on the left has a screened counter with two tiers of stained glass panels. It also has half-height panelled walls, an inter-war fireplace and a well-worn Formica-topped card table. Next is a tiny snug, also panelled and with old bench seating. There's yet more panelling in the lounge at the back and another 1920s fireplace but the counter and seating are modern. The small dining room beyond came into use only recently.

General information about historic pub interiors

Built 1741 for Thomas Barker, the church sexton, and reputedly the only pub in England to be built on consecrated land. Has three rooms, including a tiny snug. The lobby on the left still has its off-sales hatch but a piece of Victorian bench seating was lost in the flood in 2016. Bar on the left has a screened bar counter with two tiers of stained glasspanels. There was a small draught screen affixed to the counter which was removed about 30 years ago. The walls are half-height panelled, there is an inter-war tiled fireplace, a small piece of old Victorian seating, but the mirrored bar back is modern.

The snug has a partition wall on the bar side, an old hatch, old half-height panelled walls, bench seating which could be inter-war and just one table. At the rear is the lounge with old half-height panelling and an interwar glazed brick and cast-iron fireplace. On the external windows are various inscriptions - one dated 1824. The bar counter and bench seating are recent additions. Beyond is a small dining room on two levels has been brought into use recently.

General information about historic pub interiors
Seen some incorrect or missing details? let us know.
Opening
Food
Monday
3:00pm - 11:00pm
5:00pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday
3:00pm - 11:00pm
5:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday
3:00pm - 11:00pm
5:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday
3:00pm - 11:00pm
5:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday
3:00pm - Midnight
5:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday
Noon - Midnight
Noon - 8:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 10:30pm
Noon - 8:00pm
Spotted an error with the opening times? Let us know

Current beers

This Pub serves 6 changing beers and 0 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Ring O' Bells, Kendal

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Changing

Regularly changing selection up to six from local Cumbrian and north Lancashire breweries.

Changing beers typically include: Farm Yard (varies) , Gan Yam (varies) , Lancaster (varies)

The venue's range of changing beers regularly includes the following rare beer styles: Strong IPA

Source: Local

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Champion Beer Of Britain Award

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Nominations open on 12th September

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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Sunday roast
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Small menu with traditional favourites. Curry night on Fridays.
Live Music Live Music
Some Saturday nights. Open mic every Monday night.
Garden Garden
Tables at front and side
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Parking Parking
Public car park adjacent at church
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Treats for good dogs that stay on the floor!
Events Events
Weekly quiz on Thursdays in winter. Popular monthly karaoke.
Function Room Function Room
Lounge bar can be privately used
Games Games
Darts
Real Fire Real Fire
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Free to customers
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
LocAle LocAle
Bowness Bay, Gan Yam, Lancaster,.
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (100m)
Stagecoach: 41; 41A, 46, 555, X6
Bus stop over the road
Closest station (1340m)
Kendal
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