Pubs and Inns with Accommodation

The Hare & Hounds

Bowland Bridge, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6NN

Tel: 01539 568333

e-mail: blanchardjc@tiscali.co.uk

website: www.brilliantpub.co.uk/harehoundscumbria

Surrounded by hundreds of acres of beautiful countryside, The Hare & Hounds is a 17th century establishment providing great food, well kept ales and comfortable accommodation. The property is believed to have monastic origins, but during its varied history has been a farmhouse, an alehouse, a posting inn and at one time, a mortuary! Standing on an old drover's road that ran between Kendal and Newby Bridge, the impressive stone built building exudes a warm and welcoming feel as you approach. Adorned with hanging baskets which are bursting with colour, the premises are attended to by leaseholder James Blanchard and his mother Muriel. Originally hailing from Yorkshire, James took the plunge in August 2008 and the premises have gone from strength to strength in their capable hands.

The interior of the pub doesn't disappoint, the long wooden bar is always clean and well stocked. The Hare & Hounds is open every day all day for ale; there are three available at any one time, two of which are Cumberland Ale and Sneck Lifter, plus one rotating guest ale. The Hare & Hounds also offers accommodation, at the moment there is one en suite double room available for hire on a B & B basis all year round, there are imminent plans however, for a further three rooms.

James is also the head chef and the cuisine here is spectacular; food is available daily from 12 noon to 9 pm and in order to avoid disappointment, it is recommended that reservations be made to eat on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The extensive menu is made up of traditionally English dishes; the home made steak and ale pie and the ultimate fish and chips are both very popular. Other sumptuous sounding choices include the home made chicken, ham and leek pie, pan fried breast of duck with a spicy mango relish or orange sauce and the Hare & Hounds platter, which consists of fresh crevettes, smoked salmon, tuna and prawns! There is also a seafood board, which holds such tempting fare as salmon and prawn en croute, 1 kg fresh mussels in a garlic and white wine sauce, pan fried king scallops on a bed of creamy mash and seared tuna with a lemon spinach dressing and potato rosti. On Sundays, roast dinners are added to the menu and these are extremely popular with visitors and locals alike.

Click here to leave your feedback on this establishment - featured in The Hidden Places of the Lake District and Cumbria