AN iconic Lake District pub, which is the highest in Cumbria, has re-opened its doors to the delight of many customers.
The Kirkstone Pass Inn re-opened on April 1, thanks to new leaseholder Stu Taylor who owns the Kirby Lonsdale Brewery.
"It's been really good," said Stu. "It's been well supported by locals and people have travelled to the area to come and visit us as well, which has been nice.
"It's been a really proud moment and it makes it all worthwhile when people come in. Most people who have come in have been so appreciative of actually having the place re-opened... I have lost track of how many people have said it's their favourite pub and they have missed it."
Prior to the pub re-opening, Stu says they had done 'as much as they can to keep the heritage', with a lot of the work being done to try and restore sections of the pub which needed work, after being left for five years following the pub's closure - as well as updating much of the cellar equipment for the beer.
"We have put a new bar in, a nice copper top bar to keep it in keeping with everything," said Stu. "The actual inn itself we have kept a lot of the original fixed seating, even all the tables. We have given them a clean down and a little bit of a paint, to try and keep as much of the heritage as we can, and stuck to the same colour scheme that's always been in there."
When the doors opened once again to the public last week, Stu said everyone has been 'really appreciative and grateful'. He added: "I am surprised at how many people actually having the pub open means to them, there are so many people who have missed it."
And what for the future of the iconic inn? Stu says the first priority is 'keeping it open', with pie and peas now being served, as well as beers and fresh coffee available.
He added: "It's just a matter of evolving as we go now we have got open. April as a month symbolises new beginnings so that was the perfect time to open.
"A start of a new chapter for the pub."
The Kirkstone Pass Inn was bought by development company Supreme Escapes in 2021, with the group estimating a total spend of around £3.65million to refurbish some of the outbuildings into luxury accommodation back in 2025.
