Miles Thompson, Kendal

The pub was the former South Lakeland District Council offices, housed in a building which was originally Kendal’s public wash house and baths. Designed by Miles Thompson, the public wash-house and baths was opened in Allhallows Lane, in 1864, to “alleviate the discomfort of washday for working families living in ill-ventilated cottages.” A swimming bath was added in 1883. The baths served the people of Kendal for nearly 100 years, by which time it was said to be the oldest baths still in use. The baths were demolished but the wash-house façade and the 70 feet high chimney were incorporated into Shearman House, the offices of South Lakeland District Council and now this J.D.Wetherspoon freehouse.

A spacious, multi-level pub with outside terraces at the back. Interesting and unusual prints of old Kendal adorn the walls. The beers are generally palatable and there is a selection of ciders which occasionally qualify as 'real'.