The Captain Nelson Tavern, located just over the road bridge which leads to Maryport harbour, recently reopened under new private ownership.

Local resident and West Cumbria CAMRA branch Secretary Geoff Wilkinson called in and introduced himself shortly after it opened

Fast forward to March 2025 and Geoff reports that two excellent real ales are on offer, one from Ennerdale Brewery plus Bowness Bay Fellwalker.

Geoff says that the pub, which is owned by a local plumber Phillip Routledge and his wife, is spotlessly clean and that trade has picked up nicely.

This is an attractive maritime themed pub and live music is now a regular feature. See their Facebook page.

Nearby Maryport Marina is booming, having picked up quite a few boat owners who have migrated from Whitehaven Marina which has sadly been blighted by incoming ochre coloured minewater pollution for over 2 years.

Maryport Marina now has a waiting list. and there will be plenty of thirsty sailors looking for a decent pint of real ale when the sailing season kicks off in the Spring. The Captain Nelson Tavern is within staggering distance !

Recently, UK Marine Electronics Ltd, a well established specialist company has relocated from Whitehaven to Maryport Marina where they now have a new modern outlet.

The Captain Nelson and the nearby Lifeboat Inn are the only two pubs selling real ales in Maryport, and both are doing well.

Phil Wooly took these photos today at Ennerdale Brewery.

The beers pictured are their new range of BritHop real ales, all brewed using English hops

All former Jennings pubs in Keswick have had the brewery signage removed. This includes The Bank Tavern, Twa Dogs, Oddfellows and The George Hotel.

They are all currently owned by The Marston’s Pub Company, which despite its famous name no longer has any brewing interests whatsoever and is simply a big pub/property company.

The brewery say that subject to planning consent they anticipate the opening of this new outlet by Easter 2025 at the earliest.

This lovely photo was taken by local lady Raegan Blacker.

But despite its idyllic appearance Jennings former brewery complex lies empty and unsold.

It is a complex site as it comprises both freehold and leasehold buildings. There is also a public right of way right through the middle of the site. And add to that - historically some of the buildings have flooded over the years, being at the confluence of the rivers Derwent and Cocker.

The brewery employed a large number of local people in the 180 years that it traded.

They also brewed some cracking real ales.

However, not far from this abandoned premises in Kirkgate, landlord Mark Cockbain is planning to open a new brewery in the near future at the Bitter End pub.

Wishing everyone the Compliments of the Season from the West Cumbria branch of CAMRA.

We look forward to another year of campaigning to preserve and protect our national drink - cask conditioned real ale, that is neither filtered, nor carbonated and brewed using just malted barley, hops and brewer’s yeast along with what is known in the trade as ‘liquor’ but to the rest of us ‘water’.

It’s fingers crossed for 2025 in a most difficult trading environment for publicans.

The British pub is a unique institution which we are fighting to protect.

Have a Beery Christmas and best wishes for 2025

It’s that time of the year again !

6% ABV Thirst Noel is back on the bar in the Fox Tap.

And this week it was great to see that a new, enthusiastic young lady member of staff has started work on the bar. Her first time in the trade.

The Keswick Brewery, owned by Sue Jefferson, continues to go from strength to strength and is popular with locals and tourists alike.

Formerly the Agricultural Hotel in Castlegate, Penrith, this landmark inn reopened on 21st of November after a refurbishment.

It has been bought by the Valiant Pub Company, founded in December 2021, which is headquartered in Birmingham and mine hosts at the Agricultural are Megan McCall and Thomas McLaughlin,

This photo, taken a few years ago, shows the splendid shuttered Victorian bar with sash screens in the Agricultural which is listed in the CAMRA Heritage Inventory of historic pub interiors.

The Agricultural is conveniently located near to the railway station and it even has its own car park.

Letting rooms are to be made available in the near future.

The above photo was taken on the opening day by a branch member.

Ales on sale 3 from Allendale Brewery plus Wainwright from Carlsberg. £3.70 a pint. Good feedback from members.

The pub will be hosting live music plus pub food.

It was mentioned by a member at our recent CAMRA monthly meeting how good the beer and service is at The Kings Head at Thirlspot, which is on the main road between Keswick and Grasmere.

Along with the Travelllers Rest near Grasmere these two hostelries have been owned by the Sweeney family from Windermere for many years. They trade as Lake District Inns Limited.

The former Cellar Bar in Keswick (see article on this website) was also acquired by the family company and became Sweeney’s Bar for a few years, but was subsequently granted planning permission and turned into self catering holiday flats.

The Kings Head and the Travellors Rest both have traditional bars and are attractive historical inns.