Wasdale Head Inn, Wasdale Head, SEASCALE, CA20 1EX [Map]
01946 726229http://www.wasdaleheadinn.co.uk/ 
11-23 MO-SA; 12-22:30 SU (bar closes approx 22hrs)
Accommodation, Car Park, Evening Meals, Real Fire, Beer Garden, Lunchtime Meals, Quiet Bar, Campsite At / Near Pub

Ritson's Bar, Wasdale Head Inn, June 1998

A remote independent freehouse situated beyond the inland end of Wast Water in the western half of the Lake District. It's definitely worth mentioning that the Wasdale Valley was voted 'Britain's Best View' and deservedly so. There are commanding views of both Great Gable and Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England, which tower above the pub. Interestingly, Wast Water which lies to the west of the pub, just happens to be England's deepest lake. Apart from the highest and deepest records, the local St Olaf's church is the smallest church in England! Clearly excellent walking can be had in the area allowing you to build up an appetite for the pub's excellent real ale and good value home cooked food. The walkers bar has a very traditional feel and is a great place to unwind and relive your walking achievements. They also offer a range of accommdation options with very comfortable bedrooms, suites along with self-catering apartments with camping available a short walk away.

The pub does get very busy at weekends but there is plenty of seating outside if you like fresh air though it can get a bit chilly as the evening progresses even during the brief Cumbrian summer. Well worth packing an extra layer or two if you're planning to sit outside. During the colder months there's a great log burner in the bar though you'll have to arrive early for the fireside seats!

During 2002 Howard Christie and Giles Holiday opened up their own microbrewery, the Great Gable brewery, and their beers are now available at the bar. They use their own spring water from Yewbarrow Fell which gives the beers a unique flavour. They've a superb range of about a dozen ales with many only available as seasonal specials. At any one time the pub offers a selection from the full range so if you're after a particular ale, I'd recommend calling in advance. Burnmoor P'Ale (abv 4.2%) is worth a try - an excellent traditional pale bitter with a satifying hoppiness. The Trail (abv 3.6%) is a great session ale and is named after the walking magazine of the same name that I've read since I got into walking in 1991.

Ian Ford and I enjoying a pint of Dent's award winning
T'Owd Tup before allegedly kicking a football the 5 miles
over the hill to Boot?!? Surely it can't be true, May 1999