Pub Heritage Cumberland Inn
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Cumbria - Carlisle
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
This pub is currently closed (since 07/01/2023)
Listed Status: II
22 BotchergateCarlisle
CA1 1QS
Tel: (01228) 536900
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/100057336074487
Nearby Station: Carlisle
Station Distance: 120m
Public Transport: Near Railway Station (Carlisle) and Bus Stop
Bus: Yes
View on: Whatpub
The least-altered of the pubs built under the Carlisle State Management Scheme and its architect Harry Redfern. It dates from 1929-30 and is a good example of the high quality his designs, in this case in the Tudor Revival style on a long, narrow site and costing a hefty £13,678. There has been a fair amount of opening out and refitting but a strong sense of the intended elegant ambience can still be felt, evoked in particular by the fielded panelling and stone fireplaces. Upstairs, two formerly little-used bars now house a separate business, the Royal Outpost Restaurant, accessed by a staircase from the right-hand door. Both rooms have original bar fittings, excellent fireplaces and panelled walls with gilded inscriptions in praise of moderate drinking. Above the panelling are painted cartouches and vine motifs with jugs and glasses over the fireplaces.
Built 1929-30 to designs by Harry Redfern, this is the least altered of the Carlisle & District State Management Scheme pubs (i.e. the state control system set up in the First World War to run Carlisle's brewing and distribution system). It has an elegant Tudor Gothic style stone frontage with a first floor oriel window - just the sort of civilised architecture intended to mirror civilised drinking which was one of the aims of the Scheme. From the left hand door there is a long panelled passage that leads to the main bar. The right hand panelled partition has at times in the past been partly removed for access into the front right room but is now firmly fixed in place. Between the main bar and the front room there is a wide opening following removal of double doors. The small front room retains its rectangular fielded panelling to two-thirds height and in it is a ‘Ladies Powder Room’ door leading to the toilet. Modern bar counter has replaced the original hatch. The bar counter and bar back in the main bar look modern (listed description says counter brought forward and
extended to the rear) but the panelling and the fireplace are original. Recently a small dance floor and DJ booth have been added. At the rear is another separate room with an original 1930s stone fireplace. Recently a new glazed partition has been added to split the room into two with seating in the front section and a pool area at the rear.
A visit upstairs is recommended where the two little used upstairs bars have recently been converted into ‘Outpost Restaurant & Bar’ - a separate business accessed via a staircase from the right front door. Both bars have original counters (tops have been replaced), bar back shelving, three stone fireplaces of superior quality to the downstairs examples (two have the date 1930 on them) with the front right one having a recently exposed terrazzo floor in front of it (the tiles are new). On the panelled walls there are several gilded inscriptions from Omar Khayyam, Robert Burns and G.K Chesterton all in praise of civilised drinking. Above the panelling are painted cartouches with vine motifs and, over the fireplaces, jugs and glasses. The restaurant is open Tue to Sun (and Bank Holiday Mon) from 5 to 10 (10.30 Fri, Sat); also Thu, Fri and Sat 12 to 2. Restaurant phone number is 01228 818448.
Full Description
A visit upstairs is recommended where the two little used upstairs bars have recently been converted into ‘Outpost Restaurant & Bar’ - a separate business accessed via a staircase from the right front door. Both bars have original counters (tops have been replaced), bar back shelving, three stone fireplaces of superior quality to the downstairs examples (two have the date 1930 on them) with the front right one having a recently exposed terrazzo floor in front of it (the tiles are new). On the panelled walls there are several gilded inscriptions from Omar Khayyam, Robert Burns and G.K Chesterton all in praise of civilised drinking. Above the panelling are painted cartouches with vine motifs and, over the fireplaces, jugs and glasses. The restaurant is open Tue to Sun (and Bank Holiday Mon) from 5 to 10 (10.30 Fri, Sat); also Thu, Fri and Sat 12 to 2. Restaurant phone number is 01228 818448.
