Cumberland Inn, Carlisle

Built 1929-30 to designs by Harry Redfern, this is the least altered of the Carlisle & District State Management Scheme pubs (i.e. the state control system set up in the First World War to run Carlisle's brewing and distribution system). It has an elegant Tudor Gothic style stone frontage with a first floor oriel window - just the sort of civilised architecture intended to mirror civilised drinking which was one of the aims of the Scheme. From the left hand door there is a long panelled passage that leads to the main bar. The right hand panelled partition has at times in the past been partly removed for access into the front right room but is now firmly fixed in place. Between the main bar and the front room there is a wide opening following removal of double doors. The small front room retains its rectangular fielded panelling to two-thirds height and in it is a ‘Ladies Powder Room’ door leading to the toilet. Modern bar counter has replaced the original hatch. The bar counter and bar back in the main bar look modern (listed description says counter brought forward and extended to the rear) but the panelling and the fireplace are original. Recently a small dance floor and DJ booth have been added. At the rear is another separate room with an original 1930s stone fireplace. Recently a new glazed partition has been added to split the room into two with seating in the front section and a pool area at the rear.

A visit upstairs is recommended where the two little used upstairs bars have recently been converted into ‘Outpost Restaurant & Bar’ - a separate business accessed via a staircase from the right front door. Both bars have original counters (tops have been replaced), bar back shelving, three stone fireplaces of superior quality to the downstairs examples (two have the date 1930 on them) with the front right one having a recently exposed terrazzo floor in front of it (the tiles are new). On the panelled walls there are several gilded inscriptions from Omar Khayyam, Robert Burns and G.K Chesterton all in praise of civilised drinking. Above the panelling are painted cartouches with vine motifs and, over the fireplaces, jugs and glasses. The restaurant is open Tue to Sun (and Bank Holiday Mon) from 5 to 10 (10.30 Fri, Sat); also Thu, Fri and Sat 12 to 2. Restaurant phone number is 01228 818448.