National Trust to run its own pub

The Trust already owns around 60 pubs and hotels across the UK, but has so far run them all on a tenancy basis. Now it has decided to run the Sticklebarn pub in Great Langdale in the Lake District by itself, after purchasing it from its previous owners, who are retiring, off an asking price of around £1.5m. Although it has not outlined any ambitions to push further into pubs, it seems likely that it could take on more sites itself if it proves commercially successful.

The Trust says the pub will add to people’s experiences in Great Langdale, where it already owns large swathes of land. The Sticklebarn has long been a base for hiking and climbing in the Lake District, and has camping sites nearby. Under the Trust’s control, it is offering a menu showcasing local ingredients and classic Cumbrian dishes, as well as beers from local breweries.

Jeremy Barlow, general manager for the National Trust’s central and east Lakes region, said: “We’re really excited about the opportunities this acquisition will give us and the benefits there will be for visitors. Even the most frequent visitors to the Lake District often don’t realise exactly how much of this amazing landscape the National Trust cares for. Running the Sticklebarn as a Trust pub will raise our profile immeasurably in a valley which is renowned for its outdoor activities but, more importantly, it will place our expert teams at the heart of the action, sharing their knowledge about his region and what it has to offer.”

He added: “’Field to fork’ takes on a whole new meaning when you can see the farmland where your dinner was born and raised by some of the Trust’s tenant farmers. The aim is to source as much food as possible from, firstly, the Langdale valley, then Cumbria, then more widely across the region and the UK. The same will be true of the beers on offer with the majority coming from Cumbrian breweries.”