Royal Hotel, Kirkby Lonsdale

Imposing hotel overlooking the Market Place owned by Bowland Brewery, this lovingly restored Georgian exemplar provides luxury hospitality and quality beers. The bar is light and airy with the bygone feel of Bath Spa in a Jane Austen novel. Comfortable sitting rooms and a cosy snug complete the picture. Little wonder that Kirkby Lonsdale is favoured by film crews for period surroundings (Doctor Doolittle, Jamaica Inn, Poirot). The town is steeped in cultural history and John Ruskin declared ‘I do not know in all my country, still less in France or Italy, a place more naturally divine.’ His favourite view beyond the fascinating church was painted earlier by JMW Turner. The annual Victorian Festival successfully recreates a romantic past.

The two house beers are from Bowland Brewery with one changing beer from Bowland plus another handpull featuring beers from Westmorland, Lancashire and Yorkshire.

An excellent base for exploring the quirky town and the surrounding countryside of the Lake District, Forest of Bowland and Yorkshire Dales. The fields, fells and valleys are home to hundreds of specialist food producers, organic farms, micro-breweries and even the odd spring water bottler.