Category: England / Cumbria / Ambleside

The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel

Listing # 20772
Great Langdale
Ambleside
Cumbria, LA229JY
Tel: 01539437272 / Fax: 01539437272

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Pub Details

The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel was originally a farm and an Inn. In the rate book of 1885, it was named as Middlefell Inn and run by John Bennett, who was a well-known guide for tourists. It has been extended a number of times, the original piece being the middle portion; another piece was added later and the stables at the Northeast end were made into a dining room. The shippon, on the other end, was made into a bar and the cow stalls are still there, intact.

These were the days of the horse-drawn 'charas' bringing visitors from Little Langdale over Blea Tarn Pass; they would stop at the top and blow their horn, a signal to get lunch or tea ready - the number of blasts informed the staff of the number of passengers requiring the meal!

The Hotel was sold to Professor G.M. Trevelyan in the early 1900's for £4,100, he promptly gave it to the National Trust. This was the first property the Trust owned in Langdale. The Hotel was run as a hotel and farm up to 1949, when the shippon was converted into the Climber's Bar.

All the climbing clubs in the country at this stage came to the Old Hotel for their club dinners which meant that many of the best British climbers who had taken part in the Everest and other Himalayan expeditions stayed at the hotel including Sir John Hunt, Mike Westmacott, Alf Gregory, Tom Bourdillon, Sir Charles Evans, Neil Mather, and George Band.

The younger up-and -coming climbers frequented the Climber's Bar - Joe Brown, Don Whillans, Ian MacNaught-Davis, and Dennis Davis. In the evenings they often had talks and slide shows - Chris Bonington and Ian Clough, after being the first British climbers to ascend the north face of the Eiger, tried out their lecture at the Old Hotel before giving the real thing in Keswick.

Neil and Jane Walmsley have been the proprietors since 1983 and have continued to improve and develop this popular family hotel retaining as many old features as possible. Neil is a talented musician and keen fell runner.

Comments
Comment Author Peter / Mar 1, 2011
Many a good night spent in here - good food and a good fire in Winter.
 




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Pub Features

Food & Beverage Information: CAMRA Member,  Real Ale Served,  Guest Ales,  Wine by the Glass,  Coffee Available,  Bar Meals,  Bar Snacks,  Children's Menu,  Highchair(s) Available,  Dining Room,  Vegetarian Food,  Confectionary Available
General Features: Children Welcome,  Open Fire,  Dogs Welcome

Pub Opening Hours

Monday Opening Hours All Day
Tuesday Opening Hours All Day
Wednesday Opening Hours All Day
Thursday Opening Hours All Day
Friday Opening Hours All Day
Saturday Opening Hours All Day
Sunday Opening Hours All Day

Accommodation Prices

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Double Room Prices From
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Latest Comments
William said:
A great place for a meal - very reasonably priced, and good quality wines on offer too. Friendly...
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Peter said:
Many a good night spent in here - good food and a good fire in Winter.
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ian and katy said:
Best bar by far anywere on the island, charlie even got the wife to speek a few words in malteese...
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maria and vic. said:
great place..fond memories of our friend Charlie Boy..The Bel-sol Hotel and the English Rose...
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Joan Smart said:
Barbara and the girls, great. Peter, brill Lasange! hope to get back soon - the name says it all!
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