Situated within one of the most beautiful stretches of Alfred Wainwright’s world famous coast to coast walk is The Shepherds Arms Hotel. The village of Ennerdale Bridge is at the foot of a wild and unspoilt valley, close by Ennerdale Water, the only lake in the Lake District National Park without a road running around or alongside it. The Western Lakes are relatively undiscovered, but The Shepherd’s Arms attracts walkers and discerning holidaymakers from all over the world, and its proximity to the coastal business parks makes it an ideal and tranquil base for company executives throughout the year. During their ownership, Val and Steve Madden have created an unusual combination of country house hotel and wayside inn. They have been rewarded by nominations for and entries in The Good Hotel Guide and The Good Pub Guide, plus the accolade of Les Routiers Real Ale Inn of the Year – North West England 2003.
Furnished with antiques, the Hotel has a residents lounge, a non-smoking Georgian panelled dining room, three twin and three double rooms with en-suite facilities as well as one smaller double and a twin room with private bath/ shower rooms. Each bedroom has central heating and offers tea and coffee making facilities, radio alarm, remote control TV and direct dial telephone.
The Hotel is a Free House, with ‘The Shepherd’s Bar’ open to the public all year round that has been recognised by many regional guides such as the ‘Camra Good Pub Guide’. This has a long serving counter in a bare-boards inner area up three steps, with a longcase clock and a woodburning stove below a large beam hung with copper and brass objets d’arts. Its carpeted main area has an open log fire, a homely variety of comfortable seats and a bookcase with books for all tastes, which then opens into a small non-smoking conservatory with pub tables and an additional outdoor sitting area.
A wide variety of real ales are on offer together with an extensive menu of home cooked local produce, including many vegetarian dishes. Every day, a ‘Specials’ board may include, for example, local goats cheese tartlet, Herdwick Lamb half shoulder slow cooked in a mint & garlic jus, grilled Swordfish steak hollandaise, Pork Hock braised in cider, and Apple & Blackberry crumble.
With such an attractive location, The Shepherds Arms Hotel has something for everyone. At the moment, Val and Steve are planning to include accommodation for staff as well as redesigning the menu to offer an even greater variety of dishes.
For further information, please contact:
The Shepherds Arms Hotel,
Ennerdale Bridge,
Lake District National Park
Cumbria,
CA23 3AR.
Tel/Fax: (01946) 861 249
E-Mail: enquiries@shepherdsarmshotel.co.uk
Website: www.shepherdsarmshotel.co.uk
Price guide From £35 B&B per person sharing a twin or double room. Single occupancy from £42.50.
The Shepherds Arms Hotel
