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Golden Rule, Ambleside

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Cask Ale
Operator: Robinsons Brewery
Smithy Brow, Ambleside, LA22 9AS (View on Google Map)

A Grade II listed traditional inn at the bottom of the infamous 'Struggle', leading up to Kirkstone Pass. An exceptionally cosy multi-roomed pub with a real fire, bench seating, and historical rock-climbing photos decorating the walls. Serves a good range of well-kept Robinsons ales, occasionally featuring their award-winning Old Tom. There is an attractive snug, popular with families and a rear courtyard with outdoor tables. All areas are regularly packed with locals and students from the nearby university, mingling with visiting walkers and climbers.

Historic Interest

Built c1683, a multi-roomed pub situated close to the main car park. The main bar has old fixed seating and a late 50s/early 60s fireplace but the bar counter and back look like 1970s replacements. The small room on the left has more fixed seating and bell pushes but difficult to age. Front right small room has leatherette fixed seating which looks 1960s. Small bar at the rear right looked like a 1970s addition with a pair of 1945 Gaskell & Chambers handpumps but was removed some years ago.

Information for this venue is provided by the Westmorland Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Westmorland and Furness ex South Lakeland (Lake District National Park)
Last updated
Last surveyed
23/02/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
Robinsons Brewery
Pub ID
KEN/593
Asset of Community Value

Built c1683, a multi-roomed pub situated close to the main car park. The main bar has old fixed seating and a late 50s/early 60s fireplace but the bar counter and back look like 1970s replacements. The small room on the left has more fixed seating and bell pushes but difficult to age. Front right small room has leatherette fixed seating which looks 1960s. Small bar at the rear right looks like a 1970s addition with a pair of 1945 Gaskell & Chambers handpumps.

Built c1683, a multi-roomed pub situated close to the main car park. The main bar has old fixed seating and a late 50s/early 60s fireplace but the bar counter and back look like 1970s replacements. The small room on the left has more fixed seating and bell pushes but difficult to age. Front right small room has leatherette fixed seating which looks 1960s. Small bar at the rear right looks like a 1970s addition with a pair of 1945 Gaskell & Chambers handpumps.

General information about historic pub interiors
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Monday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Friday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Sunday
11:00am - 11:00pm

TasteMatch

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Current beers

This Pub serves 3 changing beers and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Robinsons - Dizzy Blonde TasteMatch Prediction

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Robinsons - Dizzy Blonde
Robinsons - Dizzy Blonde Session Blond Ale • 3.8% Spotted 27 times
Robinsons - Dizzy Blonde
SIBA Indie Beer Sold Here
Robinsons - Dizzy Blonde

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 27 times. at Golden Rule, Ambleside.

ABV 3.8%
Cask
Style Session Blond Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Robinsons - Cascade IPA TasteMatch Prediction

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Robinsons - Cascade IPA
Robinsons - Cascade IPA Premium Pale Ale • 4.8% Spotted 39 times
Robinsons - Cascade IPA
SIBA Indie Beer Sold Here
Robinsons - Cascade IPA

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 39 times recently. Last spotted 1 day ago at Golden Rule, Ambleside.

ABV 4.8%
Cask
Style Premium Pale Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Robinsons - Citra Pale TasteMatch Prediction

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Robinsons - Citra Pale
Robinsons - Citra Pale Session Blond Ale • 3.4% Spotted 11 times
Robinsons - Citra Pale
SIBA Indie Beer Sold Here
Robinsons - Citra Pale

Spotted 11 times recently. Last spotted 23 hours ago at Golden Rule, Ambleside.

ABV 3.4%
Style Session Blond Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Robinsons - Cumbria Way TasteMatch Prediction

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Robinsons - Cumbria Way
Robinsons - Cumbria Way Session Bitter • 4.1% Spotted 33 times
Robinsons - Cumbria Way
SIBA Indie Beer Sold Here
Robinsons - Cumbria Way

Spotted 33 times recently. Last spotted 23 hours ago at Golden Rule, Ambleside.

ABV 4.1%
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Robinsons - Trooper TasteMatch Prediction

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Robinsons - Trooper
Robinsons - Trooper Premium Bitter • 4.8% Spotted 10 times
Robinsons - Trooper
SIBA Indie Beer Sold Here
Robinsons - Trooper

Spotted 10 times recently. Last spotted 23 hours ago at Golden Rule, Ambleside.

ABV 4.8%
Style Premium Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No
Changing

Robinsons range selected from regular beers, seasonal brews, and occasional specials such as the celebrated Old Tom.

Changing beers typically include: Robinsons (varies)

The venue's range of changing beers regularly includes the following rare beer styles: Old Ale. Robinson's Old Tom

Source: Regional


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Facilities
Garden Garden
Yard at rear
Family Friendly Family Friendly
No children in main bar
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Games Games
Dominos, cards, and board games for young and old. If you prefer your entertainment electronic there is a silent games machines.
Newspapers Newspapers
Real Fire Real Fire
Smoking Smoking
Covered and heated
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (400m)
Stagecoach: 505; 516, 555, 599

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