A Breweries & Distilleries Tour

About

Fancy a tasting or tour at one of our many authentic breweries or distilleries? With countless venues offering something to suit all tastes, you can try your hand at creating your own creations too. Others have their own bars where you can sample their creations.
Get inspired with this itinerary.

Highlights

• Independent breweries and distilleries
• Food and drink
• Countryside walks

Good to know
Public transport is available to several locations in this itinerary - you’ll see this indicated for each location. Train travel to Carlisle, and to Penrith for Keswick, is operated by Avanti West Coast. Tickets are available online and via the Avanti West Coast app, as well as through third party  operators.
Bus travel is operated by Stagecoach, with services from Penrith to Keswick for those travelling by train; as well as across the area. Stagecoach bus tickets are available to purchase online, via the Stagecoach app, and on board the bus.Remember: when you drink, never drive.

DAY 1 - Hadrian’s Wall

1. Old Vicarage Brewery Gilsland
   3 Irthing View, Walton, Brampton CA8 2DP
   This microbrewery, bar and B&B may be small - but it packs a punch with its craft beer offering. The Old Vicarage Bar is a great place  to sample the brewery's own beers, as well as locally made guest beers. The outdoor seating area offers views over the fields towards  Lanercost, Northumberland and the Scottish borders.
   Good to know: The brewery is located just a stone’s throw from the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail, which offers excellent walking and cycling opportunities.

While exploring…

• Discover Talkin Tarn Country Park nearby: home to a glacial lake, ancient woodlands, footpaths, watersports and more.
• Visit Lanercost Priory: a well preserved Cumbrian monastery whose impressive ruins stand testament to its past.
• Don’t miss a trip to the market town of Brampton: home to quirky, independent shops. Nearby, the Solway Aviation Museum showcases the wonders of aviation history.

DAY 2 - Carlisle

Cumbria’s only city, Carlisle is home to a bustling food and drink scene - which includes several excellent breweries.

1. West Walls Brewing Company
   Building Co, West Walls, Carlisle CA3 8UB
   In the heart of Carlisle, this independent brewery and tap room has a focus on exceptional real ales and craft beers. Keep an eye out for live music and brewery tours and tastings.
    
2. Carlisle Brewing Company
   12A Kingstown Broadway, Kingstown Industrial Estate, Carlisle CA3 0HA
   Carlisle Brewing Company was born from a love of proper beer and the way it brings people together. The couple behind the brewery  founded it in 2013 as an extension to their existing pub, The Spinners Arms in Cummersdale on the outskirts of Carlisle - which remains open as the brewery tap, serving up a good selection of the brewery's own beers.
    
3. Great Corby Brewhouse
   The Green, Great Corby, Carlisle CA4 8LR
   This small brewhouse (founded 2009) produces a small range of core ales, plus a limited-edition range - all made with Cumbria in mind. Pop in to buy your own; or get in touch for more information about brewery visits.

While in the city…
• Visit the recently redeveloped Tullie for a look into Carlisle’s history and heritage, as well as art displays and science exhibitions.
• Step back in time at Carlisle Castle, which has seen its fair share of conflict with sieges, battles and even a royal prisoner. Don’t miss a trip to
the Museum of Military Life, located within its walls.
• Head to Carlisle Cathedral: founded over 900 years ago, it’s known for its blue starry ceiling, with monthly ‘Angels’ View’ tours available for a closer look.

DAY 3 - Keswick

The market town of Keswick is home to a host of breweries and distilleries, both in the town centre and nearby.

1. Keswick Brewing Company & The Fox Tap
   Brewery Ln, Keswick CA12 5BY
   Founded in 2005, the Keswick Brewing Company brews a wide variety of ales and beers including hoppy classics and seasonal specials. The brewery’s tap room, The Fox Tap, offers tours and tastings as well as hosting Brewery Socials with brewery fresh beers, new releases and street food stalls. There’s also an on-site shop selling beer alongside local gins and cider, merchandise, and beer chutney.
    
2. The Wild Sheep Distillery
   3 Bank St, Keswick CA12 5JY
   This small shop in the centre of Keswick is home to its own range of gins, alongside whiskeys, vodka, rums and even Lakes  Limoncello. There are plenty of creative flavours to choose from, and while they don’t offer tours, there are often tastings available in store; and the owners can usually be found for a chat.
    
3. The Lakes Distillery
   Cockermouth CA13 9SJ
   A short drive or bus trip from Keswick, this award winning distillery is known for its gins, vodkas and whiskeys (both single malt and blended). Distillery tours and tastings are available to book, as well as a Single Malt Whisky Experience, Whisky and Chocolate Pairings, and more. There’s also an on-site bistro which is a great place for lunch.

TOP TIP: Keep an eye out for the Keswick Beer Festival: held in summer, it features live music, a stunning location and plenty of beer!

While in Keswick…
• Catch a show at the uniquely located Theatre by the Lake on the shores of Derwentwater.
• Enjoy easy trails including a stroll around Derwentwater (a Tramper is available to hire from Theatre by the Lake) or the Keswick to Threlkeld
Railway Trail, or try more challenging Wainwrights. This area has it all!
• Learn more about the (not so) humble pencil at the Derwent Pencil Museum.

DAY 4 - Ennerdale

1. Ennerdale Brewery
   Chapel Row, Rowrah, Cumbria CA26 3XS
   This established, family run brewery produces a range of high quality real ales including pale ales, dark bitters, lagers and IPAs. The Brewery Tap serves a range of its own craft ales alongside soft drinks, wines and spirits; as well as homemade food with a focus on local produce for a real taste of the Lakes.

TOP TIP: Keep an eye out for locally produced beers, ciders and even rum at local pubs and restaurants, and in shops across the area. Ones to watch include:
• Mosser Cider
• Hesket Newmarket Brewery
• Crooked River Brewing Co
• Tractor Shed Brewing
• Jefferson’s Rum

While in Ennerdale…
• Soak up the local history at the Florence Arts Centre in Egremont: a hub for the arts, with regular events and exhibitions.
• Enjoy a walk: there are several trails running throughout this wild valley, supported by the National Trust, Forestry England and United Utilities.
• The Gather at Ennerdale Bridge is a great place to stop for a bite to eat. This community-owned and run cafe is also home to a shop and events space.

Where to Stay...

• Old Vicarage Brewery, Gilsland
  3 Irthing View, Walton, Brampton CA8 2DP
   
• The Crown Hotel, Wetheral
  Steele's Bank, Wetheral, Carlisle CA4 8ES
   
• The Inn on the Square
  Market Square, Keswick CA12 5JF
   
• The Wayside & Whisky Barn
  Whitbeck, Millom LA19 5UP
   

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This itinerary is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is supported by Cumberland Council and Sellafield Ltd.