Tower Bank Arms
“Popular rustic pub”
NEAR SAWREY, CUMBRIA
Our View
This 17th-century village pub on the west side of Lake Windermere is situated next to Beatrix Potter’s old home, Hill Top, which can be found just behind the inn. It has been known as the Tower Bank Arms for over a century and Potter illustrated it perfectly in her Tale of Jemima Puddleduck, although history fails to record whether she ever slipped in for a drink during a break from sketching. This cosy, bustling inn is popular not only with visitors to Hill Top, but also walkers, cyclists, holidaymakers and locals. In the low-beamed slate-floored main bar are an open log fire, fresh flowers and ticking grandfather clock. Local brews on hand pump embrace Langdale from Cumbrian Legendary and Brodie’s Prime from Hawkshead; alternatively a good selection of ciders and wines are served by the glass. If you are looking to eat, menus for both lunch and dinner are served throughout the premises. The style is very much hearty country fare based on local produce. At midday, sandwiches of Cumbrian baked ham with wholegrain mustard or roast beef and horseradish sauce, are sufficient for some; others may plump for a traditional lunchtime plate of deep-fried scampi with skinny chips and tartare sauce. For dinner, goats' cheese salad with almonds and orange dressing makes a tasty vegetarian starter. Follow perhaps with braised shoulder of Lakeland lamb, mash and vegetables. Finish in style with raspberry Eton mess. Food and drink can be served in the garden, where the panorama of farms, fells and fields makes a relaxing vista.
Awards, accolades and Welcome Schemes
AA Pick of the Pubs
Facilities – at a glance
Bar menu
Dog friendly
Free Wi-Fi
Functions catered
Garden
Features
- Children welcome
- Children's portions
- Free Wifi
- Parking available
- Coach parties accepted
- Garden
- Main course from: £12.50
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Closed: one day mid week January and December
- Wide selection of Ales
- Wide selection of ciders
- Wide selection of wines by the glass
- Micro Brewery Ale
Also in the area
About the area
Discover Cumbria
Cumbria's rugged yet beautiful landscape is best known for the Lake District National Park that sits within its boundaries. It’s famous for Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake, and Derwent Water, ‘Queen of the English Lakes'. This beautiful countryside once inspired William Wordsworth and his home, Dove Cottage, in Grasmere is a popular museum. Another place of literary pilgrimage is Hill Top, home of Beatrix Potter, located near Windermere. Tom Kitten, Samuel Whiskers and Jemima Puddleduck were all created here.
Much of Cumbria is often overlooked in favour of the Lake Distirct. In the south, the Lune Valley remains as lovely as it was when Turner painted it. The coast is also a secret gem. With its wide cobbled streets, spacious green and views of the Solway Firth, Silloth is a fine Victorian seaside resort. Other towns along this coastline include Whitehaven, Workington and Maryport. Carlisle is well worth a look – once a Roman camp, its red-brick cathedral dates back to the early 12th century and its 11th-century castle was built by William Rufus.
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