Address: Nether Wasdale, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1ET
Website: The Strands Inn and Brewery
Phone: 019467 26237
Email: info@thestrandsinn.com
Facebook: @TheStrandsInn
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Receive a complimentary bottle of wine with your meal when you book your stay and quote ‘Lifehop’.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the imposing Wasdale Valley, The Strands Inn at Nether Wasdale (Copeland’s Best Kept Small Village) isn’t just a place to enjoy a pint or two after a day exploring the fells – it’s a real hidden gem where the locals call home and the guests are made to feel at home.
I can’t deny, Wasdale holds my heart with its moody and ruggedly beautiful landscape that’s so different to anywhere else in the Lake District. But what makes this place even more special is returning to the warmth and comfort of The Strands Inn. Its old stone walls coursing with history from the 18th century and its fell-bound setting among some of the Lake District’s most awesome peaks never fail to seduce me.
As you step inside, you’re greeted with wooden floors and an exposed stone fireplace that vies for your attention. Cosy nooks and crannies lead off from the main bar area, where you’ll discover antlers hanging from wood panelled walls.
Food and Drink at The Strands at Nether Wasdale
Make your way to the bar to see the wide selection of classic ales and craft beers, many of which have been brewed at the onsite brewery, and there’s also a great choice of lagers and spirits. If you’re looking for company while you’re here, the customers are a friendly bunch. From the regular locals who have been coming here for decades to backpackers passing through on their travels, you’ll find a real melting pot of characters. At The Strands, strangers become friends and every pint is served with a side of laughter and camaraderie.
The food menu is a smorgasboard of homemade comfort food, curries and fresh fish dishes. Think slow cooked marinated cut of Wilson Beef Brisket on a bun, topped with smoky bacon, cheese and BBQ sauce, or steak and Strands ale pie (cooked with the brewery’s very own Errmmm ale, of course)! But if you don’t want to pack in too much before a walk, there are plenty of lighter options, too, with a good choice of sandwiches, soups and salads.
Things to Do in Wasdale
Blessed with more natural goodness than you can shake a stick at, Wasdale is a fabulous outdoor playground for hikers, swimmers, paddleboarders and wanderers. Here are just a few things to do in Wasdale…
- Fell walking – With so many of the Wainwright fells to conquer, such as Scafell Pike, Yewbarrow, Great Gable and Pillar, to name a few, hikers will be in their element.
- Visit Wastwater – I guess this is unavoidable really when you’re visiting Wasdale! If you don’t fancy braving the chilly waters with a swim in the deepest lake in England, why not try your hand at paddleboarding or kayaking. There are no boats (except canoes) to get in your way.
- Visit St Olaf’s, the smallest church in England
- Go in search of Wasdale emerald pool at Wasdale Head
- Head up to Ritson’s Force waterfall
Nether Wasdale Accommodation
If you’re looking for somewhere to get your head down after tackling England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, or wild swimming in Wastwater, The Strands Inn is one of the best places to stay in Wasdale and offers single, double, twin and executive rooms for the night (or longer, if you’re like me and are reluctant to leave).
Each of the rooms at this Nether Wasdale inn features the comfiest of beds and gorgeous sash windows that frame heavenly views of the village or garden. It’s an absolute pleasure to wake to total tranquility, only disturbed by the dawn chorus.
So next time you’re visiting Wasdale, make sure to stop by the Strands Inn for a pint of good cheer and a taste of the local charm before sloping upstairs to bed. You won’t be disappointed – in fact, you might just find yourself becoming a regular here, like me!
