Kings Arms

Cartmel, Cumbria. This pub is a historic Grade II listed coaching inn dating back to the early 18th century, although CAMRA lists that a drinking establishment has existed on this site for nearly 900 years. Located on the village square of Cartmel (village population approximately 300), it has served as a central hub for travelers, racegoers, and locals for hundreds of years, and as a meeting place for local traders, farmers, and parish officials. Throughout the 1800s the pub evolved from a local tavern to a busy coaching inn. The expansion of the British railway system resulted in a boom in Lake District tourism, and the pub's primary clientele shifted toward wealthy Victorian travelers looking to experience the rural beauty of the region. During and after the two World Wars the pub served as an essential social hub, helping to rebuild and maintain the village's spirit.

There are several notable things to enjoy in the village. The Cartmel Priory was founded in 1188 as a monastery for Augustinian canons. In 1643, during the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell's Roundhead Troops bivouacked inside the Priory, causing significant damage and leaving bullet marks on what is still known as the "Cromwell Door. Racing began at Cartmel Racecouse in the 1850s. And finally, Cartmel is home to Simon Rogan's L'Enclume (a three-star Michelin restaurant and our main reason for visiting the village), and the birthplace of Sticky Toffee Pudding.

The pub still maintains it's rustic Cumbrian character, with features including low-beamed ceilings, original flagstone flooring, and roaring open log fireplaces surrounding the small three-sided bar. I grabbed a Wainwright Amber and sat at the front window, enjoying the slow pace of the village before our incredible dining experience at L'Enclume.