George and Dragon, Cumbria

Overview

Owned by the Lowther family estate, this 18th-century coaching inn was lovingly restored a decade ago by local craftsmen using a wealth of Cumbrian stone, slate and wood.

With a beautifully designed interior sporting a relaxed, contemporary feel that perfectly complements the period features, the George & Dragon is the perfect Cumbrian bolthole to escape to for a few days. Expect heritage hues, crackling log fires, cosy alcoves, and rugs on stone-flagged floors.

With its own family farm, tenanted farms and a kitchen garden at nearby Askham Hall, the estate supplies the pub with organic free range meats and wild venison, game birds from shoots, and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. The 11 bedrooms have a fresh, modern look and are kitted out in elegant country-house style with paintings and antiques from the Lowther personal collection, rich fabrics, crisp Egyptian cotton on hand-made beds, and tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers or roll-top tubs.

Rooms from

Doubles: £100

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted
Disabled access
Parking available
Alfresco dining
Secure bike storage and drying room

Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome in the bar and overnight in all the bedrooms, and dog packs are provided at £10 per stay.

No car needed
The village of Clifton is just 11 minutes by taxi from nearby Penrith station, meaning you can leave your car at home.

Outdoor adventures
Situated between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, there's plenty of fabulous walking to explore in these parts.

Rooms

Accessed via ancient stone stairs and in keeping with the contemporary, smart feel in the bar and dining rooms, the 11 refurbished rooms have a fresh, modern look. Being a 17th-century farmhouse, some rooms are on the cosy side, but all are beautifully furnished in elegant country-house style.

Expect antiques and paintings from the Lowther family collection at Askham Hall with hand-made upholstered headboards, quality wool carpets and rich fabrics, and very comfortable slate-floored bathrooms. Room 5 has a roll-top bath tucked away in an alcove - perfect for relaxing with a glass of bubbly.

Restaurant & bar

With the pub supplied by all sorts of goodies from the estate, including organic meats, game birds and fruit and vegetables from the walled kitchen gardens at Askham Hall, it's no surprise that the menu focuses on sustainability, simplicity and taste.

The menu makes full use of seasonal, delicous and local produce - and what isn't reared or grown on the estate is sourced from local artisan suppliers and farmers within 20 miles of the pub. Expect superb 30-day aged Shorthorn steak, Rough Fell lamb, rare breed pork sausages or delicious game dishes on the monthly menus and daily chalkboard specials.

Behind the bar, there's three cask ales on handpump that include regular beers from Cumbrian micro-breweries. Wines are sourced from Frank Stainton, Kendal's famed wine merchant, with a focus on independent and small-scale producers. The list runs to over 70 and includes some half bottles and magnums, 17 by the glass, and some outstanding French options from the owner's own cellar.

Things to do

Close to both the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, this part of the world prove a fabulous place for walking. There are plenty of suggested routes, long and short, on both websites and the long-distance walker is spoilt for choice: the Dales Way starts at Ilkley and finishes at Bowness-in-Windermere in the Lake District, following riverside routes as far as possible.

For those searching for a little local history, take a drive to the Dales Countryside Museum. Housed in an imaginative conversion of the Hawes railway station in Wensleydale, this fascinating museum tells the story of the people and landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, as well as the social and industrial history of the area - mostly relating to the period 1800-1950.

Sizergh Castle & Garden is a gorgeous family home near Kendal that represents 700 years of history. Still occupied by the Strickland family, the house has gorgeous gardens and an impressive 1,600-acre estate. Designated by English heritage as a rare Grade II listed building, Leighton Hall near Carnforth, is another great spot for history-buffs. The stunning building was rebuilt in the Adam style in the mid-18th century. There's much to see here, including the magnificent Hall itself, attractive gardens and parkland.

Finally, treat yourself to a proper brew at Farrer's Tea and Coffee House in Kendal. From 1819, when John Farrer started a family business of specialist tea and coffee merchant at Stricklandgate, the tantalizing aroma of roasting coffee became a feature of daily life in the market town of Kendal. Visit the tearoom to sample the great range of teas and coffees available while enjoying fresh cakes and maybe an exhibition of local art.