Guesthouse String Of Horses (Carlisle, United Kingdom)

The String of Horses is a pub/hotel that has a distinct country pub character, combined with good accommodation and interesting, well cooked restaurant food. Guests should note that the bar and restaurant do not open on a Monday.

The welcome is very warm, with guest commenting on the brilliance of the landlord as a host. It has been described as a hidden gem, and potential visitors should note that the village does not appear on all road maps and atlases, so the description is apt. The bar offers a good selection of real ales, served at the correct temperature, and a great number of whiskies. The food is good and the portions are very generous. The English breakfast is well cooked and there is a choice of fruits and yoghurts.

The rooms are well maintained, clean and comfortable, guests found a great power shower in their en-suite and with items such as shower caps, there are good tea and coffee making items. The landlord's warm welcome included allowing access to their room to guests who arrived early.

This is an old building, and naturally does have idiosyncrasies of layout.

A guest was kept awake because their room was above the bar and the noise from the drinkers intruded until very late. It may be that the four star rating is a little generous in view of variations in the quality of the rooms.

Guests also felt that the view from their room was spoilt by the presence of modern housing: obviously that is something beyond the control of this traditional pub/hotel.