Gosforth Hall Inn, Gosforth
Posted on 30. Apr, 2010 by Robert Gale in Pubs
Gosforth Hall was built in 1658, the year of Oliver Cromwell’s death and retains many original features including the Coat of Arms produced by Robert Copley, a devout Catholic, in 1673. Apparently he didn’t want to pay the Royal Herald for his coat of arms so made his own. He also wanted to save money on the upper storeys of the hall so built them from the timbers of ships wrecked on the Irish Sea coast.
Located in West Cumbria, Gosforth Hall is just to the east of Wastwater where you can find Britain’s Favourite View (as voted by the viewer’s of the ITV programme of the same name). The views are truly stunning and a long, winding road hugs the edge of England’s deepest lake eventually leading to the remote Wasdale Head Inn (review).
The inn consists of a small bar where locals mix with visitors. The bar has four ales, three of which are local beers. On tap when I visited were beers from Yate’s, Black Sheep, Ennerdale and Hawkshead. This room features the Copley Coat of Arms.
Next to that room is a much larger lounge that has more seating, a large screen TV, fireplace complete with a huge sandstone arch. This room used to be the halls kitchen and in the corner is an original doorway leading to an impressive stone spiral staircase.
The pub is well known for its pies and offers a rotating selection including Wild Boar with Wholegrain Mustard, Moroccan Lamb, Wild Game and Plum, Pulled Pork and Sweet Chilli, Venison and Haggis and Broccoli and Stilton. Since landlord Rod introduced the pies in January 2008, over 5,000 have been sold.
You can enjoy one of Rod’s pies in the pub’s restaurant that is located in the original Hall and if you live locally but have difficulty getting to the pub (or just want a few ales with your pie), you can make use of the Royal Ale minibus.
It’s not only Gosforth Hall that’s steeped in history, the village has the tallest ancient cross in England (a 14-foot high Viking cross carved in 940AD), Europe’s most northerly cork tree, planted in 1833, is located in the village churchyard along with two 10th century Hogback tombstones and a tool shed built of stones from the original church.
Venue Location
Gosforth Hall Inn
Wasdale Road
Gosforth
Seascale
CA20 1AZ
Tel: 01946 725 322
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