The Black Bull Inn & Hotel, 1 Yewdale Road, CONISTON, LA21 8DU [Map]
015394 41668http://www.conistonbrewery.com/BlackBull.htm 
10-23 MO-SA; 10-22:30 SU
Accommodation, Car Park, Evening Meals, Real Fire, Beer Garden, Lunchtime Meals, Quiet Bar, Campsite At / Near Pub

The Black Bull Hotel, October 1997

Had been to Coniston several times before I discovered the Black Bull. It is basically a large 16th-century coaching inn on the main A593 road and still retains the feel of an old pub when you're in it with oak beams and log fires and a lot of Donald Campbell memorabilia. Three of the regular beers are brewed on the premises (Coniston Brewery). They are 'Bluebird Bitter' a golden, hoppy bitter, 'Bluebird XB', more bitter and dry, and a stronger ruby red 'Old Man Ale'. They also occasional have special beers on along with guest beers.

Food is served between 11am and 9pm. A good pub for walking groups with a separate bar for them. There's also some seating in the courtyard in front of the pub and around the side where you can enjoy a fine pint and bite to eat if the weather's good.

One final thing, an interesting fact is that the pub lies below the Old Man of Coniston, a hill worth a climb if you've the energy, and allegedly the big toe of the Old Man is a large piece of stone set into the wall of the resident's lounge, so if you stay over, take a look and let me know if this rumour is true!

Ian and I by the brewery van, October 1996