The Sally, Cumbria

Overview

Shaun Gardner and Jimmy Little bought the derelict Salutation Inn in 2016 and spent the next year refurbishing the Victorian village pub, re-launching the new-look pub as The Sally and adding five rooms in early 2018.

Within easy reach of the Lake District and close to Hadrian's Wall, The Sally looks like your traditional, unassuming country inn from the outside. But step over its hearth and be immersed in its contemporary, quirky interiors which feature bold colours and pattern fabrics, eclectic furnishings and industrial style lighting. Despite the contemporary feel, it's still the perfect spot to enjoy a pint with the papers by the fireside.

Throw into the mix a picturesque patio for summer drinking and dining, five homely rooms with plenty of thoughtful touches and free airport transfers for those flying in from nearby Carlisle, and you've got the perfect spot to spend a quiet, country weekend.

Rooms from

Doubles/twin: £90

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted
Disabled access
Alfresco & private dining
Parking available
Free transfers to Carlisle Airport
No dogs overnight

Family favourite
Children are welcome in the bar and dining areas and have their own menu. Kid-friendly beds can be accommodated in a number of rooms.

Outdoor adventures
Hardcore hikers can take on a section of the 84 mile Hadrian's Wall. Or, explore the many circular rambles and signposted trails in the Lake District for breathtaking views. There's even a drying room back at the inn.

A touch of culture
The area is rich in castles, country houses and gardens - so there's plenty to keep history buffs and culture-vultures occupied.

Rooms

The five smart rooms are named after some much-loved local places in the area. Keen to create a 'home-from-home' feel, Shaun and Jimmy have worked with local partners to provide those extra touches to ensure an overnight stay is relaxing, comfortable and memorable.

All have a contemporary feel - expect soft grey natural Herdwick wool carpeting throughout, super-comfortable and locally made Sealy Windermere Posturepedic beds topped with crisp linen, thick down and woollen throws. There are smart, fully-tiled bathrooms - two have showers over baths and three have walk-in showers.

Little extras include room service, Nespresso machines, Smart TVs, telephones, cooling fans, access to the honesty bar, and locally made Bath House toiletries. Walkers tackling the Hadrian's Wall long-distance path have use of a drying room, while guests flying from Carlisle Airport should take up the free transfers, available between 7am & 11pm when booked in advance.

Restaurant & bar

Chef Jimmy has over 20 years experience cooking in the hospitality industry and heads up the kitchen team. His menus combine traditional pub classics with modern British and European dishes and the food is freshly prepared daily using local suppliers - Herdwick lamb and Dexter beef are sourced from local farms.

Ploughman's and salads and decent sandwiches (fish finger & tartare sauce) are available during the day, otherwise, the pub menu may offer individually baked steak and ale short-crust pastry pie, crispy roast duck with rich orange and port sauce, freshly battered cod with chunky hand-cut chips and mushy peas, and sticky toffee pudding.

From the bar, order a pint Thwaites Wainwright or the guest beer from a local Cumbrian micro-brewery, or if gin's your tipple sip on a locally distilled Solway Spirits with Fever Tree tonic. Coffee comes from Bruce & Luke's Coffee, situated near Carlisle Cathedral, who roast their own range of coffees.

Things to do

The Lake District has many spectacular walks to try - but for something truly breathtaking, climb to the summit of Scafell Pike in the west of Cumbria. This much-loved Lakeland landmark rises to 3,209ft and from the flat, rocky summit you can look over a vast panorama of peaks and valleys. Or, why not walk 84 miles from coast to coast following the World Heritage Site of Hadrian's Wall, past Roman settlements and forts. There's history every step of the way, and cosy pubs, bustling market towns and great views too.

Perfect for a rainy day, the adventurous among you should head to Keswick Climbing Wall, for indoor climbing, bouldering and archery throughout the year. Climbing lessons are available and experienced climbers have an excellent range of challenges to confront them.

Close to Hadrian's Wall, visit the Augustinian priory of Lanercost. Dissolved by Henry VIII in 1537 but today its beautiful 13th-century church remains remarkably well-preserved, standing to its full height; part is now in use as the parish church. See the unique 16th-century wall paintings in the Dacre Hall. You can also explore nearby Brougham Castle in Penrith, a 13th-century riverside castle full of passages and spiral staircases.