Very enjoyable weekend at the Boot Inn. If you're looking for fancy you're in the wrong place, but we wanted somewhere that didn't worry about our dirty boots. Food was substantial to massive and very well cooked. Showers were hot with plenty of water, and warm comfortable bed just what was needed after walks on those wonderful fells.
Very good value for money at the reduced Winter rates. We would be happy to come again, and recommend.
After a poor start to our trip we found the Boot Inn an excellent place to stay. We arrived mid afternoon and found the place deserted. Although it was open, nobody was around so we went for a drink at the pub just down the road. When we came back we managed to find a member of staff (the chef) who had been busy in the kitchen. A number of people had tried to call in for a drink but also went elsewhere. It's not clear if the bar is open during the day... Anyway, the room was basic but clean. Good shower and even a bath. Our deal (which was excellent value) included dinner and we found the food to be very good in terms of choice, portion size and quality. The bar area was warm, cosy and modern despite having a rustic feel. The drinks were reasonably priced and there was a good choice of beer and wine. The majority of staff were quite friendly although the lady who served breakfast was a bit miserable. There isn't much in the area but we found it an ideal base from which to travel to our starting point for our accent up Scafell Pike (around 25mins away). We would definitely stay here again but make sure staff
know exactly wheb we would be arriving (there didn't seem to be much communication between staff). There is also no mobile phone signal in the area and wifi works on and off. The local shop only opens once a week on a Thursday so take supplies with you. I would also be prepared for tricky driving if approaching Boot via Hard Knott Pass. We went home a different way!
So much for the change of ownership. Only serves coffee by the cup, and no cakes, scones or biscuits to go with it. "No we don't do cafetieres and we only do puddings'. Well stuff you then I'll go to the Brook House where they DO cafetieres and cakes. And their staff are nicer. There are lots of people who simply want a big fat coffee and a hearty scone with jam and cream after a day on the fells and you're simply not catering for them - or me. Until you start doing that again, I'll take my custom somewhere else.
A real country pub - good beers on tap, fantastic food, open fire, great views - what more could you want? A few yards from the narrow gauge railway and an excellent stop after a hard walk across the hills!
We stopped off here after a trip on the steam railway. We had an excellent bowl of soup accompanied by some warm, homemade olive bread. The staff were friendly and we plan to go there again later in the year for an evening meal.
A good example of how to have modern comforts in an old building. Great furnishings, fabrics and cleanliness and a roaring fire make this a welcoming and warm pub. Staff were really friendly and welcoming but the food was I'm afraid just average and a little pricey for being so. We are tempted to stay over sometime if the rooms are as nicely furnished as the bar but I'd wonder about eating there two nights in a row. Menu lacking in fresh veg or salad offerings and all a bit too carb overloaded. Pubs shouldn't feel the need to offer the obligatory burger or fish n chips so why not be different and offer lovely big salads, or half roast chicken or a good pasta dish? Not everyone wants something that comes with chips, or bread, or both.
