The Best Pubs in Carlisle

The Gosling Bridge Inn is a Greene King pub that serves as the heart of the community, where the welcome is instant and every visit feels exactly what you need. It is a place for midweek catch-ups, big matches, or a quiz you can get overly competitive about. You can also enjoy the outdoors, as the pub has outdoor seating available.

The Kings Head is a historic city centre pub where ale has been served since the 10th century, and it proudly offers an excellent range of real ales including Yates Bitter and at least two rotating guest beers. Voted City Pub of the Year from 2008 to 2013 by Solway CAMRA and listed in the Good Beer Guide for nine consecutive years, it serves food from opening time until 3 PM Monday to Saturday. With freshly ground coffees and teas always available, plus a great selection of drinks, this pub is an absolute must for cask ale enthusiasts.

Step into The Sportsman Inn and you’re immediately greeted by a genuinely friendly owner and a wonderfully lively buzz. The kitchen turns out hot, tasty food, so be sure to ask about the daily specials for an extra treat. On sunny days, grab a drink and enjoy the simple pleasure of lounging on the grass out front, since there’s no beer garden. Just remember that on weekends, the kitchen stops serving after 3pm on Fridays, so plan your visit for a proper feast.

This Brewers Fayre is a family friendly pub restaurant with a fun indoor play area for kids. It serves great value pub food, including a lunchtime feast with mains for £5.99 and a Sunday carvery with unlimited extras from £11.99. The team includes staff who have worked there for over 10 years, ensuring every visit is a meal to remember. You can also enjoy delicious all you can eat breakfasts every morning or book a child’s birthday party with a dedicated party host.

This award winning pub offers superb quality, choice, and value in both food and drink. An all day menu provides an exciting mix of traditional meals alongside popular and innovative international dishes. You can enjoy excellent value beers and real ales, with gluten free meal options available from a very helpful and friendly staff. Named after an American president whose ancestors came from the area, it also features outdoor seating.

The Apple Tree is a Greene King pub that serves as a welcoming local where you can catch up with friends, watch the big match, or enjoy a competitive quiz. It offers outdoor seating, and you can use the Greene King app to easily browse, book, order, and pay. This pub is part of a community where the welcome is instant and every visit feels exactly what you needed. It is a place where pints are poured and big screens are ready for events like the World Cup.

The William Rufus is an award winning pub offering superb quality, choice, and value in both food and drink. Its all day menu features traditional meals alongside popular and innovative international dishes. Guests can enjoy great value food and real ales, with a weekly quiz on Thursday night at nine. The pub is known for its burgers and beer, and also provides outdoor seating for guests.

The Turf Tavern is a family friendly Hungry Horse pub offering amazing food, live sport, and a sun drenched beer garden with play areas for kids. The menu is bursting with big plates at reasonable prices, from sizzling steaks to Sunday roasts, alongside a great selection of drinks. With big TVs to catch all the latest live sport events and a Wacky Warehouse soft play area, it is a welcoming spot for the whole gang.

This Greene King pub is a fantastic spot known for its beer, with recent visitors praising the great real ales and good selection of beers. It is conveniently located near the railway station and offers outdoor seating, along with a nice wine selection for those who prefer it. The pub shows live football and even opens early in the morning, making it a versatile choice for a pre train pint or a matchday gathering.

The Beehive is a Greene King pub with outdoor seating and a soft play area that kids enjoyed. It serves excellent cask ales, including a standout Cumberland ale and a great light ale. This is a fantastic spot for families, offering a welcoming place where children can play while adults enjoy top quality drinks.