Castle Bar, Cockermouth
Cockermouth is a market town on the Northern edge of the Lake District and is sited at the confluence of the Derwent & Cocker rivers. The town was founded in Roman times but grew under the Normans around the castle. The picturesque town centre was substantially redeveloped in Georgian times although it retains the medieval layout. The town has had a market in place since the 13th century.
The town’s was the birthplace of Dorothy and William Wordsworth and the house where they grew up is open to the public as a National Trust property. Another reason to visit is Jennings Brewery, home of Jennings Bitter, Cumberland Ale, Cocker Hoop and Sneck Lifter. The brewery is on the site of the castle at the fork of the rivers. The town has benefitted from being by the river but it has also proved to be its downfall from flooding on regular occasions. The most recent flood in November 2009 saw floodwaters reach depths of 8 feet on Main Street. Despite over 700 houses and 200 businesses being affected concerted efforts to help the town meant that many places were fixed up one year later. In parallel with this there has been substantial investment upgrading the market place so the area is getting an arts focus.
The town’s was the birthplace of Dorothy and William Wordsworth and the house where they grew up is open to the public as a National Trust property. Another reason to visit is Jennings Brewery, home of Jennings Bitter, Cumberland Ale, Cocker Hoop and Sneck Lifter. The brewery is on the site of the castle at the fork of the rivers. The town has benefitted from being by the river but it has also proved to be its downfall from flooding on regular occasions. The most recent flood in November 2009 saw floodwaters reach depths of 8 feet on Main Street. Despite over 700 houses and 200 businesses being affected concerted efforts to help the town meant that many places were fixed up one year later. In parallel with this there has been substantial investment upgrading the market place so the area is getting an arts focus.
Castle Bar occupies a three-storey 16th Century building in the middle of Market Place with a multitude of different rooms for eating over the three floors. The main focus is on beer and they had five local ales on tap including Jennings’ Bitter and Cumberland Ale, Loweswater Gold, Scafell Blonde and Eden Fuggle. Henry Weston’s Country Perry was available as an alternative to beer. The decor in the wood-beamed bar is basic with plain dark wood farmhouse tables and chairs with settles against the walls. The far end of the room opposite the bar has high tables and stools and that seemed to be where the locals preferred. The walls are a mix of dark-panelling walls with a multitude of old photos or bare stone.
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The menu is a mixture of pub classics in the main courses and more interesting starters. The appetiser of smoked haddock and salmon fishcake accompanied by a side salad with sweet chilli dressing got things off to a sound start. The piping hot and texturally light cakes had a good crunchy exterior and a really satisfying blend of flavours. The side salad added a lighter contrast with a good vinegary emphasis to the dressing.
Although the starter had been a pleasant surprise, the Cumberland sausage with chips, fried egg and onion rings was a much more average plate of food. The spiced flavour of sausage was great and the fried egg had a pleasant runny yolk. The chips and onion rings were perfectly edible but nothing to get excited about.
Castle Bar was fine as an option for a quick pub lunch. The selection of beers was admirable with its emphasis on local breweries. The good start of the appetiser wasn’t sustained by the main course and I’d look at Castle Bar as a good place as a backup but not somewhere I’d make it a priority to visit.
Overall Rating - 2.5/5
Overall Rating - 2.5/5
